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The International Rehabilitation Summit

Summit Programme

Five equally important programmes offer different ways to participate, contribute and connect.

26–31 October 2027 · Bruges, Belgium. Six chapters.

Pre-Summit Programme
26 October 2027
Scientific, Industry, Lived Experience and AI & Innovation
27–29 October 2027

Key dates

  • Abstracts openAutumn 2026
  • Registration opensNovember 2026
  • Early bird closesMarch 2027
  • The Summit26–31 October 2027
Chapter one

The full breadth of the field

The International Rehabilitation Summit brings together the global rehabilitation community to share knowledge, exchange perspectives, co-create and help shape the future of rehabilitation.

The programme reflects the full breadth of the field, connecting scientific research, clinical practice, lived experience, industry, technology, innovation and policy.

Five equally important programmes offer different ways to participate, contribute and connect. Each has its own identity, while shared themes and joint sessions create meaningful interaction across the Summit.

A Bruges canal at first light, with rows of houses standing on both banks and a bridge at the far end.
Two banks of the same water. The programme is built in that shape: five parts, one crossing. Still from the Summit journey
Chapter two

Pre-Summit Programme

26 October 2027

Start your Summit experience early, with focused learning, practical training and opportunities to connect.

The Pre-Summit Programme brings participants together ahead of the main Summit through courses, symposia, workshops and dedicated stakeholder activities, including Pre-Courses, Pre-Symposia, the AI Technology Hackathon and the GDF Pre-Summit Day.

Discover the Pre-Summit Programme In preparation

Before the week starts
Pre-Courses. Pre-Symposia. The AI Technology Hackathon. The GDF Pre-Summit Day.
No plate
This chapter carries no picture. It is the still page the week starts from, and it is set that way on purpose.
Chapter three

Scientific Programme

27–29 October 2027

Discover the latest research, clinical developments and emerging perspectives in rehabilitation.

The Scientific Programme brings keynote lectures, scientific symposia, abstract sessions, poster presentations, workshops and debates together across four main tracks: Technology, Data & Innovation; Clinical Specialties; Population-Specific Rehabilitation; and Systems, Policy & Care Models.

Discover the Scientific Programme In preparation

The underside of a stone bridge arch in Bruges, its curve doubled by the reflection in the water below.
The arch from underneath, where the work of holding it up is visible. Still from the Summit journey
Four main tracks
Technology, Data & Innovation. Clinical Specialties. Population-Specific Rehabilitation. Systems, Policy & Care Models.
Chapter four

Industry Programme

27–29 October 2027

Connect with industry and technology partners working across the field of rehabilitation.

The Industry Programme creates space to present developments, demonstrate solutions and exchange ideas with clinicians, researchers, people with lived experience and other rehabilitation stakeholders, through Industry Symposia, Product & Technology Showcases, Tech Talks and hands-on demonstrations.

Discover the Industry Programme In preparation

A Bruges square at dawn, a columned portico between gabled houses, the pavement still empty.
The square before it fills. Everything here is set out to be walked up to and handled. Still from the Summit journey
Chapter five

Lived Experience Programme

27–29 October 2027

Discover rehabilitation through the perspectives and priorities of people with lived experience, families and patient organisations.

The Lived Experience Programme creates space for personal stories, shared learning and direct dialogue with clinicians, researchers, industry partners, innovators and policymakers, through PWLE Symposia, Lived Experience Sessions, storytelling, testimonials and co-design activities.

Discover the Lived Experience Programme In preparation

A Bruges canal after dark, lamps along the quay laying long reflections on still water.
Evening on the water, when the talking is quieter and more of it gets said. Still from the Summit journey
Chapter six

AI & Innovation Programme

27–29 October 2027

A mountain summit standing clear above a bank of cloud, lit gold along one ridge by a low sun.
Above the cloud line, where the ground is new and the footing is not established yet. Still from the ecosystem journey

Explore how AI, emerging technologies and new ideas can shape the future of rehabilitation.

The AI & Innovation Programme brings together rehabilitation professionals, researchers, technology experts, start-ups, industry partners and people with lived experience, through AI-specific sessions, innovation showcases, technology demonstrations, start-up presentations and the AI Technology Hackathon.

Discover the AI & Innovation Programme In preparation

One Connected Summit

No programme stands alone. Ideas raised in a scientific session resurface at an industry showcase, a lived experience story informs a policy debate, and a hackathon prototype finds its first clinical audience at a joint plenary. Shared plenary sessions, cross-programme discussions, networking activities and joint sessions weave the five programmes into a single experience.

  1. 01Pre-Summit
  2. 02Scientific
  3. 03Industry
  4. 04Lived Experience
  5. 05AI & Innovation
  • Scientific session to industry showcase
  • Lived experience story to policy debate, a Scientific Programme track
  • Hackathon prototype to its first clinical audience at a joint plenary
  • The AI Technology Hackathon, named in both programmes

It is this connected approach, more than any single track, that gives the rehabilitation community its chance to learn from one another, build new partnerships and turn shared knowledge into better rehabilitation.

Next stop Speakers Speakers, session chairs and contributors for the inaugural Summit.

AbstractsRegister your interest