16th Biennial Conference
Magamba, Tanzania
July 14-17, 2019

"Empowering Persons with Disabilities: Developing Resilience and Inclusive Sustainable Development"
IASE bused you up and down the mountain and changed your life in between at the 16th biennial conference at Sebastian Kolowa Memorial University in Tanzania. We welcomed 350 delegates from 27 countries. From breathtaking rides through the country, to local performers singing and dancing during the welcome reception, to the beautiful items sold at the live auction during the Gala Dinner the experience was a joy for all. However, it was not all fun and games, delegates heard from: His Excellency Benjamin W. Mkapa, Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania; Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania; and experts in the area of special education from all over the world. Our struggles as a community were discussed and the world became a little bit smaller as we learned that while our locations and resources may vary our passion, drive, struggles, and gains unite us all. 

Click here for some conference highlights.

15th Biennial Conference
Perth, Australia
June 25-29, 2017

"Addressing the Exceptional Needs of the Whole Child and Young Adult: Embracing the Future."


IASE  celebrated 30 years of achievement in Perth, Australia in collaboration with Curtin University and Edith Cowan University. Conference Honorary Chair Grahame Chair Grahame Hay and our local team welcomed 220 delegates from 33 countries.

Our delegates celebrated the success of IASE over the years and enjoyed four days of festive 'Down under style' hospitality, special Perth 'showcase sessions' along with our concurrent sessions, roundtable/poster sessions, our children and adult artwork, silent and live auctions, and our first Virtual Presentation from Germany.

Click here for conference highlights!

14th Biennial Conference
Wroclaw, Poland
June 21- 25, 2015

 "New Dimensions Toward Education, Advocacy and Collaboration for  Individuals with Special Needs"



IASE returned to Poland for our 14th Biennial Conference in collaboration   with the University of Lower Silesia.  Conference Co-Chairs, Dr. James Chapple (Ashland University, Ohio, USA) and Professor Malgorzata Sekulowicz (University of Lower Silesia, Wroclaw, Poland) welcomed 290 delegates from 31 countries who enjoyed four days of engaging conversations and generous Polish hospitality.


Special Thanks to Prof.Malgorzata Sekulowicz and Agnieszka Sekulowicz and their Local Arrangement Team for making this video.



Click here for some highlights of the 14th Biennial Conference.


13th Biennial Conference
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
July 7 - 11, 2013

"The Bridge from Segregation to Inclusion .... 

A Long Journey"

We were excited to return to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada for our 13th Biennial Conference.  UBC was the host for our very first biennial conference back on May 17-20, 1989. 


At our 13th biennial conference, more than 300 delegates from 35 countries gathered for four days of professional discussions starting with a breath-taking welcoming reception at the Museum of Anthropology followed by an exuberant Gala dinner with entertainment from Theater Terrific, the live auction and spontaneous dancing.


 Click here to take a look at some of the highlights of the 13th Biennial Conference and to read some of the Keynote presentations.

12th Biennial Conference
Windhoek, Namibia
July 10-17, 2011


  "Educating Every Learner, Every Day: A Global Responsibility"


IASE returned to southern Africa for our 12th Biennial Conference. 


The conference was held in collaboration with the University of Namibia in Windhoek, Namibia from July 10 - 14, 2011.  Two hundred fifteen  international delegates from thirty countries were joined by 130 Namibian teachers and administrators for four engaging and diverse days of lectures, round table conversations, poster sessions and panel discussions.   It was a celebration of our important work with individuals identified with special needs.


Click here to take a look at some of the highlights of the 12th Biennial Conference and to read some of the Keynote presentations.

Past Biennial Conferences




16th (2019)- Magamba, Tanzania


15th (2017)- Perth, Australia 




13th (2013) - Vancouver, Canada


12th (2011) - Windhoek, Namibia

11th (2009) - Alicante, Spain

10th (2007) - Hong Kong, China

9th (2005 - Halifax, Canada

8th (2003) - canceled due to flu epidemic

7th (2001) - Warsaw, Poland

6th (1999) - Sydney, Australia

5th (1997) - Cape Town, South Africa

4th (1995) - Brighton, England

3rd (1993) - Vienna, Austria

2nd (1991) - Milwaukee, USA

1st ( 1989) - Vancouver, Canada

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