March 17–18, 2027 | Rubell Museum, Washington D.C. | Online and In-Person
See data from a new perspective.
The 2027 Disability Statistics State-of-the-Science Conference brings together researchers, data producers, policymakers, advocates, and other data users to examine how disability is defined, measured, interpreted, and represented.
Hosted by the Center for Research on Disability at the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability, this two-day hybrid conference invites participants to explore current approaches to disability measurement, examine the latest statistics and emerging trends, and consider how different measures influence what researchers can observe and understand.
Through expert presentations, methodological discussions, practical tools, and perspectives from research, policy, practice, and lived experience, participants will examine the possibilities and limitations of disability statistics—and build connections that strengthen future research.
The ‘Art of Measurement’
As with art, disability statistics can teach us about ourselves and the world around us.
Measurement is both technical and revealing. The choices researchers make—what to count, how to define disability, which questions to ask, and how to analyze and communicate results—influence the picture that ultimately emerges. They also shape the questions that can be explored and the conclusions that can be drawn.
That’s why this year’s conference will explore The Art of Measurement. This event’s theme invites participants to look closely at how disability data is created, understood, and used. It asks researchers to consider not only whether a measure is methodologically sound, but also what it reveals, what it may obscure, and whether it is suited to the research question at hand.
What you’ll explore
- Explore current disability data sources, measures, and analytical tools.
- Examine how definitions and methodological decisions influence research findings.
- Consider the strengths, limitations, and intended uses of different measures.
- Explore the latest disability statistics and emerging population trends.
- Identify gaps, emerging questions, and opportunities for future study.
- Learn how researchers are applying disability data across fields.
- Connect with researchers and perspectives from policy, practice, advocacy, and lived experience.
- Build partnerships that support stronger research and more useful findings.
Conference details
Dates: March 17–18, 2027
Location: Rubell Museum and Zoom
Address: 65 I Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Registration opens: January 2027
Join the conversation
Whether you are an experienced disability researcher or are beginning to incorporate disability into your work, this conference can help you navigate the field more confidently, evaluate measurement approaches more intentionally, and identify new directions for inquiry.
Connect with experts, advocates, and potential collaborators and explore what different measures reveal.
