[Autistic] Autscape 2009 Call for Proposals

[Martijn Dekker]

AUTSCAPE 2009: EFFECTIVE LIVING
Tuesday 18 August - Fri 21 August 2009
London, UK
http://www.autscape.org/

C A L L   F O R   P R O P O S A L S

Deadline: Friday, 01 May 2009.
Submission form: http://www.autscape.org/proposals/proposalform

Please distribute freely.

____ Contents _________________________________________________

- What is Autscape?
- What we are looking for
- Theme
- Audience
- Examples
- Non-verbal workshops
- A few notes of caution
- What do we expect from you?
- What can you expect from us?
- How to submit your proposal

____ What is Autscape? ________________________________________

Autscape is a conference with a difference. Rather than talking to a
primarily non-autistic audience about autism, this conference is
specifically by and for autistic people. Some of it isn't even about
autism at all! Non-autistic people are also welcome, but the environment
and content of the event are centred around autistic people's needs,
interests and sensitivities.

____ What we are looking for __________________________________

We are now accepting proposals for seminars and workshops to be
presented at Autscape 2009. Proposals for poster presentations, leisure
group leaders, videos, leaders for structured or semi-structured evening
discussions, and other ideas will be sought in the near future.

____ Theme ____________________________________________________

The theme for this year's Autscape is Effective Living.

Brief theme description: As Autistic people we have a variety of issues
that affect our quality of life, whether difficulties with socialising
or public transport, organisation and procrastination, or sensory
issues. At Autscape 2009 we plan to explore ways of dealing with these
issues to enable us to gain more order and enjoyment in life.

Presentations which conform to the theme will be given priority. For the
full theme description, please visit:
http://www.autscape.org/proposals/theme

We wish to explore these key concepts of autistic being in many
different fashions. This can be through formal presentations or
workshops, and may be theoretical or practical. Many different types of
input are welcome: traditional lectures, creative expression, physical
activity, interactive workshops and more.

____ Audience _________________________________________________

Although we welcome non-autistic professionals and family members, the
aim of this event is primarily for autistic people, not about us!
Workshops geared towards parents and professionals may be accepted, but
must be positive in their support for autistic people and their right to
be different.

____ Examples _________________________________________________

For some examples of what has been presented at Autscape in the past,
see last year's presentations at:
http://www.autscape.org/archive/2008/presentations

We are also likely to enjoy similar workshops to those that have been
presented at Autreat, in the USA. See: http://www.ani.ac/

____ Non-verbal workshops _____________________________________

Although many of the autistic people who are attracted to an event such
as Autscape are highly verbal, others may have difficulty with an event
so centered around language. However, we want to welcome and fully
include all kinds of autistic people, including less 'wordy' ones. We
are also seeking workshops which are not primarily focused on the spoken
word. (Presenters may still use speech; it is just not the main content
of this type of workshop.) Examples: dance, relaxation, music, art,
construction of some kind. These workshops are different from casual
leisure sessions in that they have more structure, preparation (from the
presenter), relevance to autism and the event's theme, and duration.

____ A few notes of caution ___________________________________

* Cures:
Workshops about curing or preventing autism are likely not to go over
well at all and are best avoided altogether, unless it is from an
advocacy standpoint.

* Problems:
The problems of non-autistics coping with autistic people could
inadvertently reinforce negative attitudes.

* Personal Experience:
We all have personal experience of autism. If your presentation is
primarily based on your personal experience, think carefully about its
relevance here; the story needs to be one which can help attendees to
find new understanding of their own situation. Please let us know what
you're hoping those present will gain from your presentation.

* Suitability:
Every workshop, no matter who it is targeted towards, should be suitable
for autistic people to attend without feeling objectified or put down.

____ What do we expect from you? ______________________________

* Attendance:
If you submit a proposal, we do expect you to be there! Please be
prepared to attend Autscape and give your presentation on the day and
time scheduled. If you choose not to attend Autscape for the whole 3
days we will do our best to fit the schedule around your needs.
Travel is the responsibility of each individual presenter. We cannot
subsidise travel or off-site expenses for anyone. If your proposal is
accepted, we will send you a formal letter of invitation if this will
help you to secure your own funding.

* Discussion groups:
Presenters may be expected to run an evening or afternoon discussion
group on their topic, for those who would like to explore the issue
further. If you may have problems with this, we will try to find a
volunteer to help you.

* An article:
We would like an article about your presentation for inclusion in a
proceedings booklet to be prepared and printed at a later date. This
booklet will be sold to raise funds for Autscape.

* Presentation materials:
Please send copies of any handouts and computer presentations (e.g.
powerpoint) ahead of time. These will be made available for download by
Autscape participants and printing for those who require it.

* Archive:
We would like to include your presentation summary, biography and any
electronic handouts you provided in our website's archive area.

* Recording:
Please allow us to video or otherwise record your presentation. These
records may be made available to others by Autscape. If you submit a
proposal we will assume you are happy with these expectations. If you
have any questions or objections, please let us know so we can discuss
it.

____ What can you expect from us? _____________________________

* Attendance:
Presenters will be accommodated on-site for the day of their
presentation including the night before or after. Only one place can be
subsidised for each presentation, regardless of the number of
presenters. Unfortunately, due to the funding situation we cannot offer
free attendance at all of Autscape this year.

* Participation:
Whenever you are not presenting you can enjoy the event, including other
workshops and the setting, just as any other participant.

* Involvement:
One thing you can expect by joining us is the opportunity to shape an
emerging self-advocacy event and autistic community. There will be
opportunities at the event to get involved in the future of Autscape.

* Audience:
A rare opportunity to be heard by a significant number of autistic
people. A chance to have some influence and get some feedback from the
people who matter most in the field of autism.

____ How to submit your proposal ______________________________

To submit your proposal, please use one of the following:

    * online form: http://www.autscape.org/proposals/proposalform
    * e-mail: info at autscape.org
    * or post to: Autscape, 4 Falcon Street, London, E13 8DE, UK

All proposals must be received by 1 May 2009.

Please include the following information.

   1. ABOUT YOU
        a. Name
        b. Country
        c. At least one of:
              o e-mail address (preferred)
              o phone number
              o postal address
        d. Experience (A summary of your relevant experience, including
           any presentations or other education/advocacy activities
           elsewhere, and the nature of your interest in autism and/or in
           general disability issues.)

   2. INFORMATION FOR THE PROGRAMME
        a. Your name or alias (for public use)
        b. Biography (50-150 words)
        c. Presentation title (1-12 words)
        d. Summary (100-200 words)

   3. ABOUT YOUR PRESENTATION
        a. Type of session (choose one)
              o Lecture (audience mostly listens)
              o Workshop (audience participates verbally)
              o Hands-On (audience participate physically)
              o Other (please describe)
        b. How does your presentation relate to this year's theme
           'Effective Living'?
        c. Please describe your presentation or activity for the 
decision makers.

   4. Other comments not addressed above

(end)