Autscape 2018 Call for Proposals

[Martijn Dekker]

AUTSCAPE 2018: EXPLORING INCLUSION

Tuesday 28 August – Friday 31 August 2018
Tonbridge, Kent, UK
http://www.autscape.org/

Please distribute widely. Forward this text or send the link:
http://www.autscape.org/2018/proposals/cfp

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

We are now accepting proposals for all types of presentations for
Autscape 2018.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL BY 16 APRIL 2018.

Please use the proposal submission form if at all possible. If you have
difficulty using the form, please e-mail prog...@autscape.org. Email
submissions are not accepted unless exceptional access requirements apply.

The form and all the information below can be found on the Autscape website:
http://www.autscape.org/2018/proposals/

___ Contents ___

* About Autscape
* Theme
* What we are looking for
* Examples
* What do we expect from you?
* What can you expect from us?
* How to submit your proposal

___ About Autscape ___

Autscape is an autistic conference. It is run by and for autistic
people. The environment and content of the event are centred around
autistic people's needs, interests and sensitivities.

___ Theme ___

The theme for this year's Autscape is 'Exploring Inclusion'.

This is a broad theme that encompasses exploration of autism and
inclusion from within every possible context. We invite proposers to
interpret the theme freely and creatively.

Possible example topics include (but are *not* limited to):

- exploring the inclusion of autistics within various social
environments (schools and universities, workplaces, leisure,
sports and hobbies clubs, religious establishments, etc.);
- exploring how the autistic community can better accommodate autistics
who have additional conditions/disabilities;
- applying the concept of autistic space to various additional social
environments, in order to allow better inclusion of autistics in
those environments;
- developing the concept of autistic space to allow better inclusion
of various types of autistics within the autistic community;
- exploring how the autistic community could better accommodate
autistics who belong to additional minority groups.

Presentations which seek to develop this theme will be given priority;
however, any suitable topic, even if it is not directly related to
autism, will be considered.

___ What we are looking for ___

We are looking for quality proposals by qualified presenters, but
'qualifications' don't have to be formal.

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 Autscape are
highly verbal, others may have difficulty with an event centred around
language. Therefore, we are also seeking workshops which are not
primarily focused on the spoken word.

Selected proposals are likely to have these features:

- The topic is relevant to Autscape. Although non-autistic people are
welcome to attend, the vast majority of participants are autistic and
the programme is for us, not about us. All presentations must be
positive in their support for autistic people and our right to be
autistic. There should be something about each presentation that
makes it something you would find at Autscape, in autistic space, and
not just anywhere.

- The presenter is qualified. This does not mean you need to have a
long list of academic qualifications. It does mean that you should
know what you are talking about and be able to demonstrate some
expertise in it. Experience of presenting or teaching your activity
is an asset. There should be a reason that we want you, not just
anyone, to present about it.

- The presentation is structured, informative and relevant. It keeps
the participants engaged. There is evidence that the presenter has
taken care to prepare this topic for this audience. It is worth the
participants paying their often very limited money for.

The sort of thing that may be selected:

- Lectures and workshops in the traditional style about topics that are
of interest to autistic people and preferably fit with the theme.

- Physical activities such as yoga, martial arts, or other movement or
exercise which have been specifically adapted for autistic
participants.

- Creative activities such as art, music or drama presented in a way
that is relevant to, and adapted for, autistic participants.

- Practical activities that can help autistic people live better, for
example, coping with sensory issues or using communication aids.

The sort of thing that is unlikely to be selected:

- Lectures about one's personal experience of being (growing up)
autistic. We all have personal experience of autism. If your
presentation is primarily based on your personal experience, think
carefully how it can help attendees find new understanding of their
own situation. Please let us know what you're hoping those present
will gain from your presentation.

- Discussions on a topic of interest where the participants provide
most of the material. These are an important part of Autscape, but
don't require the sort of expertise and preparation we expect for
presentations.

- Workshops about curing or preventing autism, unless it is from an
advocacy standpoint.

- Undeveloped ideas or topics. If you haven't had time to thoroughly
think through your proposal, it may be better to wait until next
year. If you are sure of what you want to present, but are having
difficulty describing it in words, we may be able to help.

Note: if your proposal is not selected for the main Autscape programme,
you may still offer it as a participant-led activity. There will be an
opportunity to submit these in advance so they can be timetabled, but
you may also book them at Autscape itself.

___ Examples ___

For examples of what has been presented as part of the Autscape main
programme in the past, see the presentations from previous years at:
http://www.autscape.org/2017/programme/presentations

___ 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 (for example, PowerPoint) by the date requested (to be
confirmed, about two 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. You retain
the copyright to your material.

Your details and presentation summary: the summary and bio you submit
with your proposal will be published on our website. You may correct,
modify or update them once after your proposal is accepted (except for
any errors that are our fault).

Permission to record: as a reasonable adjustment for people with
processing difficulties, some audience members will audio record your
presentation for personal use. This is *not* optional. We may also seek
your permission to video or otherwise record your presentation. These
recordings may be made available to others by Autscape. This *is*
optional. Denying permission will not prejudice decision makers against
your presentation, and permission can be withdrawn at any time prior to
distribution. If you have any questions, please let us know so we can
discuss it.

___ What can you expect from us? ___

Accommodation: you will receive one 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. Whenever you are not presenting you can enjoy the event,
including other workshops and the setting, just as any other participant.

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.

Respect and consideration: we will do our best to meet any special needs
or requirements you may have, as long as you communicate them to us with
sufficient notice.

___ How to submit your proposal ___

To submit your proposal, please use the form here:
http://www.autscape.org/proposals/proposalform

If you have difficulty accessing or completing the form, please email:
prog...@autscape.org

We do not accept submissions by email unless you have exceptional
reasons for being unable to access the form (for example, learning
difficulties or technical limitations).

Due to a high level of competition in recent years, late submissions
will not normally be considered. If you think you will have any problems
with the form, the deadline, or any other aspect of submitting a
proposal, please contact us *before* the deadline. Submissions by other
means or after the deadline should not be considered accepted until or
unless they have been acknowledged by the Programme Coordinator.

The board will decide which presentations to accept for Autscape and
will inform everybody who has made a proposal of their decision by 16
May 2018.

Remember, ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 16 APRIL 2018.

--
Autscape is the trading name of The Autscape Organisation, a registered
charity (no. 1141913) and limited company registered in England and
Wales (no. 7325467). Registered office: Autscape, 9 Daisy Lane, Downham
Market, PE38 9ES