[Autistic] Call for proposals: Autscape 2012: Similarities and diversities

Tue Jan 10 00:07:58 UTC 2012

AUTSCAPE 2012: SIMILARITIES AND DIVERSITIES

Monday 23 July - Thursday 26 July 2012
Belsey Bridge Conference Centre, Ditchingham, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 2DZ

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

Please distribute widely.

We are now accepting proposals for lectures and workshops to be 
presented at Autscape 2012.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL BY 12 FEBRUARY 2012

Submission form: http://www.autscape.org/proposals/proposalform

Suggestions and proposals for informal activities will be called for 
in the near future. These may include leisure sessions and discussion 
groups.

The following may be found on the website at: 
http://www.autscape.org/proposals/cfp

___ Contents ___

1. What is Autscape?
2. Theme
3. Presentation requirements
4. Examples
5. A few notes of caution
6. What do we expect from you?
7. What can you expect from us?
8. How to submit your proposal

___ What is Autscape? ___

Autscape is a conference run by and for autistic people. Non-autistic 
people are also welcome, but the environment and content of the event 
are centred around autistic people's needs, interests and 
sensitivities. Presentations in the formal programme, for which this 
call is seeking proposals, are all relevant to autistic people. The 
alternative programme includes discussions and leisure activities 
which are more flexible. Regardless of the topic, everything in the 
programme is suitable for autistic people.

Although we welcome non-autistic professionals and family members, 
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 our right to be 
different.

___ Theme ___

The theme for this year's Autscape is 'Similarities and diversities'.

While the diagnosis of autism spectrum conditions would suggest that 
all autistics share certain characteristics, it is also clear that 
autistic people differ from one another at least as much as we are 
similar. In this year's programme, we wish to explore these 
"similarities and diversities" both within the autistic spectrum and 
between autistic and non-autistic people. This may include any aspect 
of autism in which we may be similar to or different from each other, 
e.g. emotional or sensory experiences, memory and information 
processing, social interaction styles, communication, management of 
home and personal lives, personalities. It may also include 
understanding non-autistics, theories that unify or divide the 
autistic spectrum, explaining autism to people who know little - or a 
little too much - about it, autism and co-morbid conditions (e.g. 
mental or physical health issues), and many other topics.

The theme is meant to inspire presenters as well as to provide some 
coherence to the programme, not to be overly restrictive, so feel 
free to be creative in its application. Presentations which seek to 
develop this theme will be given priority; however, any suitable 
topics will be given consideration.

___ Presentation requirements ___

We wish to explore a broad range of perspectives on being autistic, 
both theoretical and practical. Many different types of input are 
welcome: traditional lectures, creative expression, physical 
activity, interactive workshops and more.

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 centred around language. We want to welcome and fully 
include all kinds of autistic people, including less 'wordy' ones. 
Therefore, 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 leisure sessions in that they have more structure, 
preparation (from the presenter), relevance to autism and the event's 
theme, and duration.

Remember that whatever the format, in order to be included as part of 
the formal programme, your presentation must be structured, 
informative, relevant, and impart some expertise of the presenter. If 
it lacks any of these, it may still be included as part of the 
alternative programme.

___ Examples ___

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

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

___ A note 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.

Personal Experience: We all have personal experience of autism. If 
your presentation is primarily based on your personal experience, 
think carefully how it 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? ___

Reliability: You need to be able to assure us that except for 
unforeseen circumstances you will be there to present as agreed.

Presentation materials: Please send copies of any handouts and 
computer presentations (e.g. powerpoint) by the date requested (to be 
confirmed, approx 2 weeks before Autscape). These will be made 
available for download and printing by Autscape participants. In 
addition we can printed a limited number of pages for handouts.

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

Permission to record: As a reasonable adjustment under the Disability 
Discrimination Act, some audience members will audio record your 
presentation for personal use. If your proposal is accepted, we will 
also seek your permission to video or otherwise record your 
presentation. These records may be made available to others by 
Autscape. If you have any questions or objections, please let us know 
so we can discuss it.

Presenters giving lecture-style presentations are encouraged to run a 
discussion group on their topic later in the day, for those who would 
like to explore the issue further. If you may have problems with this 
we will try and find a volunteer to help.

___ What can you expect from us? ___

Accommodation: You will receive a day's attendance at Autscape free 
of charge. Presenters will be accommodated on-site for the day of 
their presentation including the night before or after. Only one such 
place can be offered for each presentation, regardless of the number 
of presenters. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding, we cannot offer 
free attendance at all of Autscape this year. Whenever you are not 
presenting you can enjoy the event, including other workshops and the 
setting, just as any other participant.

(Please note, this rebate is not given for those running informal 
activities such as leisure sessions however for these we will pay 
reasonable expenses for materials required.)

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.

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.

Respect and consideration. We will let you know as soon as possible 
if your proposal has been accepted and will try our best to 
accommodate you at a time that suits you.

___ 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: programme at autscape.org
* or post to: Autscape, 24 Anson Road, Upper Cambourne, 
Cambridgeshire, CB23 6DQ, United Kingdom.

Please include the following information:

Name
Country
At least one way to contact you of:
- Email address (preferred)
- Phone number
- Postal address

Your session's title.
Name or alias you wish to be known by publicly.

The type of session you are proposing: lecture, workshop, hands on 
workshop, other.

How does your presentation relate to this year's theme "Similarities 
and Diversities"?

A description of your presentation or activity for the decision makers.

A summary of your personal experience and qualifications for running 
this session.

If your presentation is accepted, you will also be requested for a 
bio summarising your experience and qualifications and a summary of 
your presentation.

The committee will decide which presentations to accept for Autscape 
and will inform everybody who has made a proposal of their decision 
by 11th March.

Remember, ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 12 February 2012.