Autscape 2010 Call for Proposals

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AUTSCAPE 2010: AUTISTIC WELLBEING
Tuesday 10 August - Friday 13 August 2010
Radstock, Somerset, UK
http://www.autscape.org/

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

Deadline: Monday 15 March 2010.
Submission form: http://www.autscape.org/proposals/proposalform

Please distribute widely.

____ 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 lectures and workshops to be
presented at Autscape 2010. Proposals for poster presentations,
leisure group leaders, videos, discussion leaders, and other sessions
should not be submitted now. Proposals for activities other than
lectures and workshops will be sought in the near future.

____ Theme ____________________________________________________

The theme for this year's Autscape is Autistic Wellbeing.

Theme description:
Autism is all too often portrayed as a disease or disorder with only
negative aspects. But at Autscape 2010 we would like to discuss,
develop and share strategies to both be autistic and be well.
Presentations may cover topics like sensory and information
processing, physical and mental health, meeting one's needs, being
productive, social interaction, and community building.

Presentations which seek to develop the theme of Autistic Wellbeing
will be given priority.

We wish to explore a broad range of perspectives on being autistic in
many different ways. 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,
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.

____ 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/2009/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 centred 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 are encouraged 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.

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

* 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. Some
participants may also audio record presentations for their own use.
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: [email protected]
* or post to: Autscape, 24 Anson Road, Upper Cambourne,
Cambridgeshire, CB23 6DQ, United Kingdom.

All proposals must be received by Monday 15 March 2010.

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 (50-100 words)
c. Presentation title (1-12 words)
d. Summary (50-150 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
'Autistic Wellbeing'?
c. Please describe your presentation or activity for the
decision makers.

4. Other comments not addressed above

(end)

For some examples of what has been presented at Autscape in the past, see previous years' presentations at:
http://www.autscape.org/archive/2009/presentations
http://www.autscape.org/archive/2008/presentations
http://www.autscape.org/archive/2007/presentations
http://www.autscape.org/archive/2006/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/

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

* online form: http://www.autscape.org/proposals/proposalform
* e-mail: [email protected]
* or post to: Autscape, 24 Anson Road, Upper Cambourne,
Cambridgeshire, CB23 6DQ, United Kingdom.

All proposals must be received by Monday 15 March 2010.

Reminder:
The deadline for submitting proposals for Autscape 2010 is two weeks from now, on Monday, 15 March, 2010.

Just a reminder for those who were thinking of sending in a proposal:

The deadline for presentation proposals for Autscape, the autistics'
conference in Europe, is in a little over a week, Monday 15 March.
Autscape will be held from 10 August to 13 August 2010 in Radstock,
Somerset, UK.

For more information about submitting a proposal, please see:
http://www.autscape.org/proposals/

Don't hesitate to get in touch with Martijn (programme coordinator for Autscape 2010) at [email protected] if
you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Reminder:
The deadline for submitting proposals for Autscape 2010 is tomorrow.
If you want to submit a proposal then please do so by tomorrow!

Hi all,

We almost have enough presentations to make for a complete programme for Autscape 2010, but we could still use a few more.

We are therefore extending the proposal deadline to Friday, 2 April 2010. So, if you were thinking of sending in a proposal but didn't make it before the deadline, here's your last chance.

Note that it's not actually required that your presentation is related to the theme; it's only a recommendation.

Autscape will be held from 10 August to 13 August 2010 in Radstock, Somerset, UK.

For more information about submitting a proposal, please see:
http://www.autscape.org/proposals/

As always, don't hesitate to get in touch with Martijn (programme coordinator for Autscape 2010) at [email protected] if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.