By Steve Ewell ● Feb 20, 2026

By Steve Ewell ● Sep 25, 2025

Smart Brevity^® count: 2.5 mins…668 words

The arrival of fall means CTA is in full swing planning for CES 2026, and I’m excited to share an early preview of AgeTech and Accessibility content we’ll showcase in Las Vegas. These two areas of innovation provide independence and connection for older adults and people with disabilities.

This newsletter is your guide to all things aging and accessibility at CES 2026 — from program highlights to how to get involved onsite in Las Vegas.

Sincerely,

Stephen Ewell

Executive Director, Consumer Technology Association Foundation
Vice President, Accessibility and AgeTech, CTA

sewell@CTAFoundation.tech
www.CTAFoundation.tech

NEW Accessibility Stage at CES 2026 Presented by Verizon Accessibility

Accessibility Stage

Partnering with Verizon, the Foundation is creating a new stage dedicated to accessibility at CES 2026.

• CES features a significant amount of accessibility sessions, but this stage will give the content greater visibility in a central location.
• The stage location is The Venetian Convention Center lobby, just outside the entrance to Halls A-D (level 2).
• The stage will operate for the three busiest days of CES – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — and feature multiple sessions highlighting a wide range of accessibility topics.
• Each session will also be recorded and shared for later viewing on CES.tech.

We are accepting sponsored sessions now!

CTA Foundation 8th Annual Pitch Competition Presented by Next50

Pitch Comp

This high energy, engaging event is designed to kick‑start collaborations that will drive the future.

• Our Pitch Competition is a live event showcasing lifechanging tech, which surmounts challenges faced by older adults and people with disabilities.
• Startup companies pitch to a live, standing-room only audience at the Eureka Park Startup Stage, while fielding tough questions from a panel of expert judges on how their innovation can make an impact.
• Winning companies (Judges and Audience Choice) will receive monetary awards and a highlight on the Accessibility Stage.

CTA Foundation Health Innovation Challenge Presented by WITH Foundation

Innovation Health Challenge

The CTA Foundation Innovation Challenge asks consumer technology companies to leverage their products to solve challenges faced by those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).

• This program will particularly target the needs of working age adults (18-64) who developed a developmental disability before the age of 21 and are seeking more independence and control in their healthcare.
• The event incorporates the IDD community by hosting a roundtable, followed by a pitch event, during CES.
• The winning companies receive monetary awards, and a highlight on the Accessibility Stage, for their unique solutions to challenges faced by the IDD community.

Accessibility Roundtable Presented by Salesforce

Accessibility Round table

The CTA Foundation’s invite-only Accessibility Roundtable facilitates connections between accessibility advocates, nonprofits, government representatives and industry leaders, allowing them to problem solve and leverage #tech4good.

• The roundtable’s goal is to advance conversation – and partnerships – on key challenges that advance inclusivity.
• To accommodate as many advocates and supporters as possible, the event expanded in 2025 to a record attendance of 125 attendees.
• In 2026, we are hoping to expand the programming even further, utilizing a breakout format that allows for a deeper dive on more topics.

Eureka Park Accessibility Contest

Eureka Park

The Eureka Park Accessibility Contest gives US and Canadian based start-ups focused on accessibility the opportunity to win a spot in Eureka Park and receive recognition for their technology solutions.

This will be the 10^th year of the popular contest, and prior awardees include Aira, Good Maps, GoVoBo, WHILL, WeWalk and Xander.

Accessibility & Aging Reception

Accessibility Reception

Join us on opening night of CES to shine the spotlight on accessibility and AgeTech.

• This reception is an open invitation to all attendees at CES interested in accessibility and aging solutions.
• The well-attended evening event, complete with food and drinks, helps kick-off the first day of CES.

To learn more about supporting any of these events, visit our online prospectus . Or send me an email to set up a time to chat more about how your company get involved in aging and accessibility at CES.