Invitation to Apply
2026 Member Showcase 
Call for AI Spotlight Presentations

Autism Alliance of Canada welcomes researchers, innovators, and advocates working in the intersecting fields of autism, AI, and inclusion to apply to present their work at the CALS2026 AI Symposium. We especially encourage applications from Autistic people.

Work presented should focus on one or more of the following areas:

• AI-Driven Innovation for Inclusion: Your work focuses on new AI technologies, tools, or applications that directly improve access, participation, or opportunities for Autistic people.
• Inclusive AI Design for Autistic people, their family members, and/or caregivers: Your work centers on designing AI systems, participatory design, accessibility, ethical considerations, and/or meaningful engagement with Autistic users.
• AI Research Advancing Autism Inclusion: Your work generates new knowledge, evidence, or frameworks showing how AI can support or enhance inclusion for the autism community.
• Another Intersection: Your work relates to another intersection between AI innovation, inclusion, and autism that is not listed above.

Submission Requirements & Deadlines

Submissions will be evaluated on relevance, clarity, and potential to improve the lives of Autistic people and their families.

Submission deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026  (11:59 p.m. E.S.T.)
Notification of decision: the week of February 13, 2026

Please refer to the guidelines for speakers for more information regarding associated fees. Note that selected presenters are responsible for making their own travel and accommodation arrangements.

Financial Accessibility Bursary

The CALS 2026 Financial Accessibility Bursary Program is designed to help reduce financial barriers and support the meaningful participation of an autistic person and/or a caregiver or support person. To learn more, click HERE.

Bursary application deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. E.S.T.)
Notification of decision: the week of January 26, 2026

Spotlight Presentation Format

Spotlight presentations will take place on the main stage throughout the AI Symposium. Presentations will be a maximum of 10 minutes. Visual components such as presentation slides are encouraged. Presentations should follow a spotlight format:

1. Who You Are: Briefly introduce who you are, your organizational affiliation (if applicable), and your role in the work being presented.
2. Purpose: Describe the overall purpose of your work and articulate the problem or opportunity it seeks to address. Explain why this work matters for Autistic people, their families, service providers, and/or broader systems.
3. What You Did/What You Built: Outline what you developed, implemented, or studied, including key activities, methodologies, or tools.
4. What You Learned: Summarize the most important findings/lessons learned (2-3). Include any unexpected learnings, breakthroughs, or emerging insights.
5. Why This Matters for the Future: Describe how innovation, particularly AI-enabled or technology-driven approaches, could scale, strengthen, or transform this area of work.
6. What This Means: Highlight how this work can inform or influence national conversations and/or conversations about Canada’s National Autism Strategy.

Date: Tuesday April 14, 2026
Time: Exact time between 10:00am-4:30pm is TBD

Note: One presenter will be chosen for each spotlight presentation. The presenter can represent work done by a team/group and/or be accompanied by a support person.

Alternative presentation formats may be available for those selected. Please note in your application if an alternative form of presentation is required to remove accessibility barriers so we can contact you with more information. Otherwise, selected presenters are expected to present in-person at the Fairmont Château Laurier.

More Information

Why Present Your Work?

Presenting at CALS2026 provides a unique opportunity to share your work with Autistic people, their families or support persons, community leaders, policymakers, researchers, and other topic experts dedicated to improving autism supports across Canada.

At CALS 2026, you can:

• Showcase Your Impact - Share your work with a diverse audience eager to learn about emerging and promising AI innovations.
• Expand Your Network - Build connections, discuss shared goals, and forge partnerships with leaders in healthcare, education, advocacy, government, academia, and more.

Additional Opportunities to Share Your Work

CALS2026 also offers the opportunity to present your work at the CALS2026 Member Showcase. There are three open calls for visual displays: Research Posters, Organizational Displays, and Autistic and Caregiver Viewpoints. Please note that each call requires a separate application, and applicants for the Member Showcase must be or become a member of Autism Alliance of Canada.

We look forward to receiving your submission!