Azores Meeting

The hybrid a-STEP Action meeting, held from 5-7 September 2022 in the Azores, Portugal, was a significant gathering of members and stakeholders, as it took place within the framework of the 14th International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality & Associated Technologies. This meeting provided a platform for collaboration, strategic discussions, and the dissemination of the Action’s work, blending in-person and virtual participation to maximize engagement.

A key highlight of the event was the **a-STEP dissemination panel**, organized as part of the conference, which allowed us to share the Action’s progress and insights with a broader audience in the disability and virtual reality research community.

The sessions were structured as follows:

**5 September 2022**
– **09:00 – 13:00**: Working Group Meetings – Dedicated time for each Working Group to review their progress, align on objectives, and address any challenges.
– **14:30 – 17:00**: Management Committee (MC) Meeting – The MC convened to discuss administrative matters, funding, and strategic planning for the Action.

**6 September 2022**
– **10:00 – 15:00**: Joint Working Group Meetings – Collaborative discussions between Working Groups to ensure cohesive progress across the Action’s different areas.
– **15:00 – 19:15**: Invited Speaker and a-STEP Dissemination Panel – This session featured a keynote presentation followed by an a-STEP dissemination event, highlighting the Action’s ongoing work and contributions to the field.

**7 September 2022**
– **09:30 – 18:30**: Delphi Study Workshop – The final day was dedicated to a hands-on workshop focused on the Delphi Study, a key methodological approach within the Action.

This hybrid meeting not only advanced the work of the a-STEP Action through focused Working Group and Management Committee discussions but also enhanced its visibility and impact through the dissemination event at an international conference. It provided an important opportunity to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and engage with the wider research community.a-STEP Agenda_The Azores.docx