ISPO 2027 - First Announcement

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A World Connected: Advancing Assistive Technologies for Global Equity FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT

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ISPO 21st World Congress The premier global event for mobility products 6 keynotes What you can expect: 120 sessions 2,500 participants with over 300 presenters from around the globe More than 100 international exhibitors Organisers Thailand Exclusive World Congress Partner – Diamond

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Invitation from the ISPO President Sandra Ramdial ISPO President Chair, ISPO 21st World Congress Every two years, the ISPO community comes together to share knowledge, strengthen collabo- ration, and advance mobility and quality of life worldwide. It is with great pleasure, and a strong sense of responsibility, that I invite you to join us at the ISPO 21st World Congress, taking place 22–25 March 2027 in Bangkok, Thailand. This Congress marks an important new chapter for ISPO. Under the theme A World Connected: Advancing Assistive Technologies for Global Equity, we gather at a time when connection – across people, disciplines, regions, and ideas – is in- creasingly important. The theme reflects a shared commitment to placing assistive technologies at the heart of rehabilitation and empowerment, and to addressing persistent gaps and inequities, so that individuals everywhere can access appropriate support and services. The ISPO World Congress has long been where sci- ence meets practice, and where innovation delivers real-world impact. In 2027, we will build on this strong tradition by bringing together global exper- tise, research, technical and clinical practice, and innovation to advance assistive technologies and translate progress into equitable access, high-quali- ty services, and reduced disparities worldwide. The scientific and technical programme will span the full breadth of prosthetics, orthotics, wheelchairs, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services, with a strong emphasis on cross-sector collaboration. From research, technical and clinical practice to education, workforce development, policy, and systems strengthening, the Congress will provide a space for learning, exchange, and collective problem-solving. The trade exhibition will once again showcase the diversity and scope of the global assistive technology sector. I warmly invite clinicians, technicians, researchers, educators, students, industry partners, policy- makers, users, advocates, and all those engaged in prosthetics, orthotics, assistive technology, and rehabilitation – ISPO members and non-members alike – to take part. Your perspectives and experience are essential. Together, we can strength- en connections, share knowledge, and contribute to meaningful progress. I look forward to welcoming you to Bangkok in March 2027 and to the opportunity to connect with you there.

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Congress committees World Congress Committee Sandra Ramdial President of ISPO, World Congress Chair Sirirat Seng-iad Local Chair Bryan Malas President-Elect of ISPO Cleveland Barnett Scientific Programme Committee Chair Brad Mattear Technical Track Committee Chair David Constantine Past President of ISPO Jon Batzdorff Treasurer of ISPO Sasithon Sukthomya Local Committee Member Local Organising Committee Mark Woolsey Vice Chair Chonthicha Chaemkhuntod Thanyaporn Rakbangboon Sasithon Sukthomya Gulapar Srisawasdi Tawatchai Junsaard Bengt Söderberg Jutima Ratanakoch Nisarat Opartkiattikul Jutamat Pinitlertsakun Apichat Asavamongkolkul Sirirat Seng-iad Chair, Thailand Scientiﬁc Programme Committee Corry van der Sluis Past Chair, Netherlands Bill Miller Canada Sarah Anderson Australia Corien Nikamp Netherlands Ben Darter USA Anna Pace Italy Cleveland Barnett Chair, United Kingdom Alexander Dickinson United Kingdom Sasithon Sukthomya Thailand Technical Track Committee Ian Adam United Kingdom Nigel Birkett United Kingdom Tawatchai Junsaard Thailand Marcus Nilsson Sweden Theerapat Kangkasomboon Thailand Wowwaew Wongeakaluck Thailand Brad Mattear Chair, USA

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Keynote speakers being a clinical Prosthetist / Orthotist to becoming a premier authority in pioneering rehabilitation system sustainability through rehabilitation personnel education, service development, research, and policy advancement. Sisary’s PhD research on innovative financing has positioned her at the forefront of the global shift from charity-based aid to resilient financing models. By integrating P&O into Universal Health Coverage frameworks, mobility rehabilitation is transforming into a sovereign right. She is committed to targeting global equity and quality services through integrated rehabilitation and professional service education. For Sisary, true success is defined by perma- nence. Her mission is to ensure that every child, in any rural province in Cambodia and in other war- and conflict-affected countries, receives care because a national system is in place. The aim is to replace the fragility of donor cycles with a sustainable, professional commitment for generations to come. Sisary Kheng CEO, Exceed Worldwide, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Sisary Kheng is the CEO of Exceed Worldwide. She oversees a world-renowned training pro- gramme at the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, that has empowered clinicians from 30 countries, while supporting regional operations across four Asian nations. Sisary is engineering the future of comprehensive physical rehabilitation in Cambodia by combining frontline national clinical expertise with global strategic policy towards Universal Health Coverage. She has transitioned from

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Keynote speakers Globally, Natasha has consulted to the World Health Organisation and the United Nations-auspiced global assistive technology funder, ATscale. She represents Australian Standards to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) on assistive product classification and terminology. Her volunteership includes board positions with the Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organisations (GAATO) and the Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA). Natasha is particularly interested in the relationship between practice-based evidence and evidence-based practice. Experienced in mixed methods, inclusive and co-designed research, she has redeveloped several research tools to access hard-to-reach populations. Currently working at the Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living Research Centre of Monash University, Australia, Natasha has worked on research grants worth over $AUD 10 million and published over 80 peer reviewed publications including 15 book chapters, many in collaboration with consumers. Natasha Layton Associate Professor, Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Monash University, Frankston, Australia Associate Professor Natasha Layton is a thought leader in functioning, disability and outcomes. Her subject matter expertise is in assistive technology and related solutions, and she is a named contributor to the 2022 Global Report on Assistive Technology of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). An occupational therapist by background, she works in Australia with a range of consumer groups, government and the non-profit sector.

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Nerrolyn has published extensively in prosthetics and orthotics, with a focus on understanding and supporting users in ways that respond to their needs and the contexts in which they live. She has led projects across multiple countries, including multi-year initiatives in Cambodia and Ukraine. Her work combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches to capture client needs and to evaluate if interventions are responsive, sustainable, and appropriate. With a long-standing commitment to education, Nerrolyn also conducts research to ensure that prosthetics and orthotics curricula remain relevant to current and future practice. She is dedicated to helping students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care effectively across culturally diverse settings. Nerrolyn Ramstrand Professor of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Jönköping University, Sweden Nerrolyn Ramstrand trained as a prosthetist / orthotist at La Trobe University in Australia, where she also completed her doctoral studies. After several years of teaching in the prosthetics and orthotics programme at the British Columbia Institute of Technology in Canada, she settled in Sweden, where she is currently a Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation at Jönköping University. Alongside her research and teaching duties, Nerrolyn served a four-year appointment as Jönköping University’s Senior Advisor for Internationalisation.

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Keynote speakers Massimo Sartori Full Professor and Head of Neuromuscular Robotics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands Massimo Sartori is a Professor and Head of Neuromuscular Robotics at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. His research focuses on understanding how human movement emerges from the interaction between the nervous and musculoskeletal systems in healthy and impaired individuals. He combines neural interfacing with real-time neuromusculoskeletal modelling to develop symbiotic robotic exoskeletons and bionic limbs aimed at restoring movement after neuromuscular injury. He has contributed to the development of widely used open-source musculoskeletal modelling platforms, including CEINMS-RT and MyoSuite and has received multiple prestigious blue-sky grants from the EU’s premier funding agency the European Research Council. Massimo has developed patented technologies in wearable sensors, exoskeletons, and bionic legs in collaboration with industry partners such as OttoBock HealthCare and received an official commendation from the Municipality of Affi, Italy. He co-chairs the IEEE RAS Technical Committee on BioRobotics and serves as Associate Editor of IEEE TNSRE. He earned his PhD in Information Engineering from the University of Padova (2011), held visiting positions at the University of Western Australia, Griffith University, and Stanford University, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Göttingen, where he became Junior Research Group Leader in 2015. He has been at the University of Twente since 2017.

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IC2A Inspirational Lecture Zy is also a national swimmer for Thailand. He began swimming at age six and entered national competitions at 12. His achievements include: · Three-time former Asian record holder · Two-time former Southeast Asia record holder · Former World No.7 in Men’s 200m Freestyle · Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at the Asian Youth Para Games 2021 Zy’s journey demonstrates resilience, determination, and excellence in both academics and sports, inspiring communities worldwide to pursue their dreams regardless of limitations. Zy Kher Lee Zy Kher Lee is a remarkable young athlete and scholar who has overcome extraordinary physical challenges. Born with mobility impairments affecting both arms and legs, Zy’s determination is captured in his inspiring motto and book: “No Hands, No Legs, No Excuses.” Fluent in English, Chinese, Malay, and Thai, Zy is a full scholarship student majoring in Human Kinesiology and Science at Shanghai University of Sport, China. Zy’s lecture will be supported by his father Walter, who is a visionary entrepreneur, internationally recognized chef, and social innovator with over 30 years of experience creating global businesses and empowering communities. He founded the Zy Movement Foundation, pioneering programmes such as “Climb to Change a Life (CTCAL)” and “ASEAN Medical Seminars” to support children with mobility impairments and their families. He believes: “Our mission is to prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.”

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Programme information Call for papers Proposals for symposia, instructional courses and technical track presentations Submission deadline: 29 June 2026 ISPO encourages early career researchers and students to participate actively in the ISPO 21st World Congress. Abstracts for free papers and posters Submission deadline: 7 September 2026 Congress topics Session formats Keynote lectures Symposia Instructional courses Free paper sessions Poster presentations Prosthetics: lower limb transfemoral Prosthetics lower limb: transtibial, ankle, foot Prosthetics: bone anchored limbs Prosthetics and Orthotics: upper limb Prosthetics and Orthotics: in less resourced settings Orthotics: spinal Orthotics: lower limb and footwear 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) student competition Device fabrication and design Technical track presentations Exhibitor workshops Education Gait and balance Health care, policy, sustainability Outcome measurements Paediatrics Psychosocial issues Rehabilitation medicine and surgery Robotics, soft robotics, exoskeletons Seating and wheelchairs Therapy, physical activity, sports Awards and prizes At each ISPO World Congress, ISPO recognises outstanding achievements through various awards and prizes. Forchheimer Prize Brian and Joyce Blatchford Team Prize for Innovation Sepp Heim Award World Congress Best Paper and Poster Prizes The ofﬁcial language of the congress is English. Submissions are accepted and presentations are held in English.

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A World Connected: Advancing Assistive Technologies for Global Equity The theme of the ISPO 21st World Congress 2027 advocates for a globally interconnected approach to promoting individual empowerment and overall well-being, positioning assistive technologies at the centre of comprehensive rehabilitation. This theme calls for unified global action to tackle the most critical challenges in rehabilitation and enhance human dignity. It emphasises that empowerment through inclusion, where every individual has the capacity and opportunity to lead a fulfilling, self-determined life regardless of background, ability, or circumstances, is achieved through coordinated global effort. The ISPO 21st World Congress will serve as a central forum for disseminating cutting-edge research and best practices, thereby advancing assistive technolo- gies. This focus aims to ensure that technological advancement directly contributes to global equity by supporting universal access to high-quality rehabilitation and assistive technology services and by reducing disparities worldwide. Over the four days of the congress, participants will enjoy a high-quality scientific and technical programme presented by a variety of professionals from various disciplines and countries. Social highlights Welcome Reception Monday, 22 March 2026 The Welcome Reception will be held in the exhibi- tion hall during the first afternoon of the congress. It will provide an opportunity to experience au- thentic Thai culture, reconnect with old friends and make new contacts while visiting the exhibitors. Complement your stay A social and tour programme showcasing the Thai culture will be organised during the World Con- gress. Further details will be published on www.ispo-congress.com.

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International exhibition The industry exhibition will showcase the entire spectrum of products and services related to assistive technologies for mobility. Encounter companies from around the world – from the global players to young innovative companies to NGOs and anything in between. Key exhibition areas Activity monitoring Elastic supports Research and development Assistive technology Care of older adults Clothing Digital manufacturing Disability sports Education and training Movement analysis Orthopaedic footwear Robotics Services Orthotics Podiatry Prosthetics Therapeutic equipment Wheelchair and customised solutions Raw / ancillary material, factory supplies Workshop fixtures and fittings

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The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) is a global, multidisciplinary, non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who may benefit from prosthetic, orthotic, mobility and assistive technology. For more than 50 years, ISPO has provided an effective platform for exchange and communication on all aspects of the science and practice associated with the provision of mobility products (prostheses, orthoses, wheelchairs), rehabilitation engineering, wheelchairs and related areas, such as therapy. ISPO’s community is made up of more than 3,000 professionals from more than 100 countries – including prosthetists, orthotists, surgeons, therapists, engineers and educators – with a shared interest in the subject and service. Find out more about ISPO and join the global network at www.ispoint.org

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ISPO around the globe Every two years, professionals involved in the support of persons in need of mobility products (prostheses, orthoses, wheelchairs), assistive technology, and rehabilitation services meet at the World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics. For the first time, the event will be held in Southeast Asia. VIRTUAL EDITION VANCOUVER GUADALAJARA STOCKHOLM LYON LEIPZIG KOBE HYDERABAD BANGKOK 2027 CAPE TOWN 2027 Next edition: Bangkok, Thailand 2025 Stockholm, Sweden 2023 Guadalajara, Mexico 2021 Virtual edition with an international focus 2019 Kobe, Japan 2017 Cape Town, South Africa 2015 Lyon, France 2013 Hyderabad, India 2010 Leipzig, Germany 2007 Vancouver, Canada

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Why Bangkok, Thailand? Thailand, a vibrant hub at the heart of Asia, uniquely blends rich cultural heritage and dynamic diversity with a modern, forward-thinking spirit. The tropical kingdom has long served as a natural gateway to Southeast Asia—one of the world’s fastest-growing regions—warmly welcoming visitors from around the globe. Prepare to discover breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring traditions, and authentic Thai hospitality. Extend your stay and discover Thailand’s stunning tropical beaches, ancient temples, and vibrant street markets that blend traditional culture with modern energy. BANGKOK, THAILAND IMPACT Forum is part of Thailand’s largest exhibition and convention centre, offering an integrated and highly efficient event experience. Its dedicated layout ensures that World Congress sessions and the exhibition areas are located in close proximity, allowing delegates to move easily between meetings, networking activities, and exhibition spaces. Located within the IMPACT Muang Thong Thani complex in Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, the venue is situated just north of central Bangkok within the greater metropolitan area.

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Photos: Leipziger Messe GmbH: Tom Schulze | ISPO: Sergio Garibay, David Constantine, Ricardo Guzman | Anna Hallams, Anne Soﬁe Eriksson, Henrik Trygg | shutterstock | mediabank.visitstockholm.com: Per Bifrost | imagebank.sweden.se w w w i . i s p o n t . o r g I n t e r n a t i o n a l S o c i e t y E - m a i l : i s p o @ i s p o n t . o r g i f o r P r o s t h e t i c s a n d O r t h o t i c s w w w . i s p o - c o n g r e s s . c o m E - m a i l : i n f o @ i s p o - c o n g r e s s . c o m T e l . : + 4 9 3 4 1 6 7 8 - 8 2 3 7 / - 8 2 3 8 0 4 3 5 6 L e p z i g i , G e r m a n y M e s s e - A l l e e 1 i L e p z i g e r M e s s e G m b H I S P O W o r l d C o n g r e s s p r o e c t t e a m j C o n t a c t u s R e g i s t r a t i o n S e c u r e y o u r t i c k e t s e a r l y ! O n l i n e r e g i s t r a t i o n o p e n s i n A u g u s t . MISP0003 Picture credits: Leipziger Messe GmbH: Tom Schulze, | AdobeStock: dron285, Kalyakan, anekoho, vadim.nefedov | Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau | IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd.