Abstract
The Southeastern Orientation and Mobility Association (SOMA) started more than 50 years ago with informal gatherings of O&Ms, and has grown to annual/ biannual conferences hosting hundreds of O&Ms. Until 2016, when SOMA was incorporated and a board was established, SOMA conferences were organized entirely by individuals who volunteered at the final session of the previous conference.SOMA’s unique traditions include: an emphasis on hands-on workshops (SOMA conferences were the first to feature feet-in-the-street sessions); introducing new ideas (this year’s SOMA unveiled the establishment of the O&M Specialist Association); having a general session ‘Exhibitors’ Highlight’ to preview the vendor tables; offering each session twice so that participants have a greater selection; and welcoming and mentoring newbies doing their first presentation.The most recent SOMA conference, held December 8–11, in Tampa, Florida, USA, had 40 presentations done by 48 presenters – the following abstracts summarize some of these presentations.