[Autistic] Autscape 2013: Call for Proposals

Wed Feb 6 18:09:55 UTC 2013

AUTSCAPE 2013: FINDING A VOICE
Tuesday 6 August - Friday 9 August 2013
Ackworth School, Ackworth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF7 7LT, England
http://www.autscape.org/

Please distribute widely. Forward this text or send the link: 
http://www.autscape.org/proposals/cfp

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

We are now accepting proposals for lectures and workshops to be 
presented at Autscape 2013.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL BY MARCH 27th, 2013
Submission form: http://www.autscape.org/proposals/proposalform

Note: This is the call for proposals for the formal programme. 
Suggestions and proposals for informal activities will be called for in 
the near future. These may include leisure sessions and discussion groups.

___ 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 'Finding a voice'.

While autistics are often described as lacking communication abilities, 
more and more autistics are expressing themselves in various forms, 
through various means. In this year's programme, we wish to explore how 
autistics are 'Finding a voice', both literally and metaphorically, in 
various walks of life.

A literal interpretation of the theme could include a session on 
assertiveness in personal relationships or at work, or a workshop on 
augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods.

A more metaphorical exploration could include initiatives such as 
autistic-run organisations, conferences, forums and blogs, as well as 
autistic-authored essays and books. It may also include autistic 
involvement in wider projects, in which both autistics and non-autistics 
work together to achieve mutual goals. In addition, it may include 
various ways in which autistics are being heard more and more within 
mainstream society, be it in academic publications and conferences, 
newspapers and magazines, various autistic-friendly workplaces, 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.autreat.com/

___ 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.

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 print 
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.

Discussion: 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

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 'Finding a Voice'?

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 the 
27th of April.

Remember, ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 27th, 2013.