Aging with IDD Conference
For over three decades, the Association on Aging with Developmental Disabilities (AADD) has been the only organization in the United States dedicated to bridging the gap between the aging and developmental disability fields through direct service, community building, and an annual conference. The 35th Annual Aging with Developmental Disabilities Conference, offered as an in-person, as well as a virtual event, will take place on May 11-12, 2026 at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, MO.
For details about the Conference and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/2026AADDConference.
The Annual Aging with Developmental Disabilities Conference has a goal of bringing aging and developmental disability professionals together to learn about best support models and practices and the most current information on aging with a developmental disability. Through information, education, and networking, participants from across the United States will gain increased knowledge of preventitive and proactive support practices that will help them better serve people with developmental disabilities with living their best life as well as end-of-life care. This Conference offers five tracks tailored to medical professionals, social workers, case managers, direct support professionals, self-advocates, and many other professions. All sessions have the common thread of improving quality of life and helping maintain the independence of aging individuals with developmental disabilities, with the broad goal of supporting people in their desire to age in place.
This Conference has grown significantly over the years, with well over 600 attendees at the 2025 Conference. With an ever-growing network of diverse stakeholders, garnering interest both nationally and internationally, AADD has forged partnerships with several academic institutions, including St. Louis University Gateway Geriatric Education Center, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development (a University Center on Excellence on Developmental Disability), and the Washington University School of Medicine Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center. Visit the Association on Aging with Developmental Disabilities at www.agingwithdd.org to learn more about the organization.
About the Author
Pamela J. Merkle is Executive Director of the Association on Aging with Developmental Disabilities (AADD), where she leads the organization’s daily operations and advances its mission of bringing the aging and developmental disability fields together. She holds a BSBA from Southeast Missouri State University with an emphasis in Business Management and Gerontology, as well as a Fellowship in Aging with Developmental Disabilities from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. With more than 40 years of experience, Pam is a recognized expert on aging with developmental disabilities and the 2022 recipient of the Harvey A. and Dorismae Hacker Friedman Award for Excellence in Service to Older Adults.