Autreat 2008 & Autscape 2008

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If you wish to contibute to the success of Autreat 2008 and of Autscape 2008, then please spread information about them across the autistic community/communities.
Autreat's website is here: http://ani.autistics.org/
Autscape's website is here: http://www.autscape.org/

There are also threads about Autreat 2008 and about Autscape 2008 in WP's "News and Current Events" forum:
Autreat 2008: http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt54155.html
Autscape 2008: http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt52703.html

Thank you,
KenG

And here is the 'Call for Proposals' for Autreat 2008:

Autreat is a retreat-style conference run by Autism Network
International, for autistic people and our families, friends,
supporters, and interested professionals. We are accepting
presentation proposals for Autreat 2008, to be held Monday-Friday,
June 23-27, 2008, at a small campus near the New York-Pennsylvania
border, approximately 80 miles from Buffalo.

FOR HELP PREPARING A PROPOSAL:

If you want to submit a proposal but you have trouble reading these
instructions and putting your proposal in the requested format,
contact Jane Meyerding, jmeyerding @ earthlink.net, for help. Send only
plain text messages, with no attachments.

WHAT KINDS OF WORKSHOPS ARE WANTED AT AUTREAT?

Autreat is very different from typical autism conferences:

WHEN PREPARING A PROPOSAL FOR CONSIDERATION, BE AWARE THAT THE
*PRIMARY* AUDIENCE AT AUTREAT IS AUTISTIC PEOPLE.

Parents and professionals do attend, and most who attend find the
presentations to be of interest, but Autreat is basically autistic
space.

Be sure your information is being presented in a manner that is both
helpful to and respectful of autistic people.

We expect that you will be speaking *to* us, not speaking to
non-autistic people *about* us.

We are interested in presentations, by either autistic or non-autistic
people, about POSITIVE WAYS OF LIVING WITH AUTISM, about functioning
as autistic people in a neurotypical world, and about the disability
movement and its significance for autistic people.

We are *not* interested in presentations about how to cure, prevent,
or overcome autism.

We do *not* appreciate having non-autistic people come into our space
to talk to each other about how difficult we are to deal with, or how
heroic they are for putting up with us.

If your presentation is geared toward the interests of parents or
professionals, it should focus on positive ways of appreciating and
supporting autistic people, not on reinforcing negative attitudes
about autism and autistic people.

AUTREAT AIMS TO BE WELCOMING AND RELEVANT TO THE BROADEST POSSIBLE
CROSS-SECTION OF THE AUTISTIC POPULATION.

Autreat is attended by autistic people who speak and by autistic
people who do not speak;

by autistic people who communicate fluently and by autistic people who
have limited communication;

by autistic people who live independently and by autistic people who
need intensive support with daily living;

by autistic people who have jobs and by autistic people who live on
disability benefits;

by autistic people who are able to present as "socially acceptable"
and by autistic people who require support to help them manage their
behavior;

by autistic people who have been labeled "high-functioning" and by
autistic people who have been labeled "low-functioning"--including
some autistic people who have had *both* labels, at different times or
under different circumstances.

While it is not expected that any one presentation will be of interest
to each and every autistic person, we do look for presentations that
will appeal to the widest possible audience.

We are *not* interested in presentations that reinforce what we
consider to be artificial distinctions between members of our
community who are labeled "low-" vs."high-functioning."

A NOTE ABOUT "PERSONAL EXPERIENCE" PRESENTATIONS:

Be aware that everyone at Autreat either knows what it's like to be
autistic, or knows what it's like to care about someone who is
autistic.

All of us have our own personal stories. Presentations about the
presenters' personal stories are not going to generate much interest,
unless you're able to use your story in a way that will help other
people to share and understand their own experiences in a new way.

Your proposal should describe what participants can expect to get out
of your presentation, not just what personal experiences you're going
to talk about.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PRESENTATION TOPICS OF INTEREST

If you have never attended Autreat before, please review the ANI web
site (www.ani.ac) and the past Autreat brochures
(http://www.ani.ac/past-workshops.htm), and contact Jim Sinclair
(jisincla @ syr.edu) if you have questions, to make sure you understand
what Autreat is about and whether your topic is relevant to ANI's
philosophy.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF PRESENTERS?

If you submit a proposal, we expect you to be available to attend
Autreat if we accept your proposal, and to give your presentation on
the day and time scheduled. We make every effort to accommodate
presenters' preferences in setting the Autreat schedule, but it is not
always possible to give every presenter his or her preferred time
slot.

Presenters are expected to send advance copies of any handouts or
slides they plan to use, so that we can prepare alternate format
copies for print-impaired attendees.

Presenters are expected to submit an article on their topic for
inclusion in the program book. These also need to be submitted in a
timely manner, so we can prepare copies in alternate formats.

Presenters are expected to consent for their presentations to be
recorded, and for the recordings to be sold by Autism Network
International.

Presenters are invited to attend all of Autreat. If presenters opt not
to attend the entire event, they are expected to arrive on-site by
8:30 a.m. for afternoon presentations, and to arrive the night before
for morning presentations.

Please be prepared to meet these expectations if you decide to submit
a proposal.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE PRESENTERS?

Autreat presenters receive free registration, including on-site meals
and lodging in a shared (2-person) room.

ANI is a volunteer-run, member-supported grassroots organization with
minimal funding. We cannot reimburse for off-site expenses, nor can we
pay travel expenses or honoraria. If your proposal is accepted, we
will send you a formal letter of invitation if this would help you in
raising your own travel funds.

Presenters are entitled to receive one free copy of the recording of
their presentations.

PROPOSALS SHOULD INCLUDE:

* Your name and title (if any) exactly as you want them listed in
program materials should your proposal be accepted

* Contact information (address, phone, fax and/or email if you have them)

* Title of your proposed presentation

* Detailed description for consideration by the Planning Committee

* Brief (5 sentences or less) abstract exactly as you want it listed
in program materials should your proposal be accepted

* Indicate ONE theme that BEST relates to your proposed presentation:

[ ] Advocacy skills
[ ] Life skills/adaptive strategies
[ ] Helpful support services
[ ] Communication
[ ] Social/interpersonal issues
[ ] Autistic community and culture
[ ] Education
[ ] Employment
[ ] Family issues
[ ] Residential issues
[ ] Disability rights and politics
[ ] Autism research and theory
[ ] Other (describe):

* Indicate which group(s) you believe would find your proposed
presentation of interest. Check as many as apply. Briefly describe
what your presentation would offer to each group:

[ ] Autistic adults
[ ] Autistic teenagers
[ ] Family members of autistic people
[ ] Educators
[ ] Clinicians
[ ] Service providers
[ ] Other (specify):

* Brief (5 sentences or less) presenter bio exactly as you want it
listed in program materials should your proposal be accepted

* Any audiovisual equipment you would need for your presentation

If you have never presented at Autreat before, please also include an
introduction for the Planning Committee summarizing 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.

PROPOSAL DEADLINE:

April 1, 2008

HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

Proposals can be submitted via email to Jim Sinclair
(jisincla @ syr.edu), or via postal mail to ANI at the address below, or
submitted online at www.ani.ac/aut08cfp.php.

WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO PRESENT, BUT I HAVE AN IDEA FOR A PRESENTATION
I'D LIKE TO SEE?

If you want to make suggestions for Autreat presentations, or make
comments about previous presentations or presenters, please fill out
the questionnaire available at www.ani.ac/autplan2.php.

Autism Network International
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse NY 13235
USA

And here is the 'Call for Proposals' for Autscape 2008:

AUTSCAPE 2008: Inertia and Action

29 July - 1 August, 2008
Giggleswick, Settle, UK

Proposal submissions now being accepted.
Deadline for submissions: 11 April, 2008

Please see this webpage for more information:
http://www.autscape.org/proposals/
or e-mail: [email protected]


WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are now accepting proposals for seminars and workshops to be
presented at Autscape 2008. 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 "INERTIA AND ACTION".
Presentations which conform to the theme will be given priority.

A common dictionary definition of "Inertia" is the tendency to stay
in the same situation if noone or nothing intervenes. Often autistic
people find we get 'stuck' on one thought pattern, activity or focus
so it's hard to get started on things or changing from one thing to
another -- sometimes we call this 'intertia'. Difficulty dealing with
change may also be related to inertia. Lack of motivation and
depression may make matters worse.

To many autistic people "Action" is an important countermeasure to
inertia. Action as the ability to move on, get things done, or change
status quo. This can be in every aspect of our lives: daily life
activities and tasks, social relationships, physical, creative or
political action and more.

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 Autscape programmes from previous years at: http://
www.autscape.org/. We are also likely to enjoy similar workshops to
those that have been presented at Autreat, in the USA. 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.

- 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. We cannot subsidise any other attendees,
including carers or assistants for 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.

- ADJUSTMENTS: We realise that most of our presenters are autistic
and presenting to an audience can be stressful. We will do what we
can to make it as easy as possible for you to present to us. We will
ask you about your specific needs if your proposal is accepted. In
the past, presenters have had assistance with: writing, taking
written or spoken questions from the audience, time keeping,
transcribing the presentation to computer projector, etc.


SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL

If possible, please submit your proposal online at: http://
www.autscape.org/proposals/
If you prefer to send the following information by e-mail to:
[email protected] or post to:

Autscape
4 Falcon Street
London
E13 8DE
UK

Please include:

CONTACT INFORMATION

Name
E-mail and/or postal address and/or phone number
Country

INFORMATION FOR PROGRAMME (website and printed)

Name/alias
Bio (summary of presenter & relevant experience)
Presentation title
Presentation summary

INFORMATION FOR DECISION MAKERS

Presenter's experience
Type of presentation (lecture, interactive workshop, practical workshop)
How does your presentation fit the theme 'inertia and action'?
Detailed description of presentation

Thank you for your proposal.
Don't forget the deadline: 11 April, 2008

Just a reminder that there's one week left to submit proposals for Autreat.
Presentations may be submitted online at http://ani.autistics.org/aut08cfp.php

This reminder may be cross-posted wherever people might be interested.

Tomorrow, April 1, is the deadline for submitting proposals for
Autreat 2008, the Autism Network International annual gathering, to be
held June 23-27. More information and an online submission form can be
found at http://ani.autistics.org/aut08cfp.php

Please cross-post far and wide.

KenG, thanks.

I submitted my proposal earlier this afternoon. I've never attended autreat before so I hope the proposal gets accepted.

-Alex

I will be going to Autreat for the first time and am very excited about it. My long-term boyfriend, who I met through this site, will hopefully be going with me. I'm doing a research project about the social history and construction of ASDs this summer, which is how I'm paying for it, and I hope I'll be able to conduct interviews for that while I'm there. I've been in contact with the Autreat organizers about how to go about this in a way which respects the official policies and privacy of attendees. Ever since I've heard about the atmosphere of Autreat it's sounded awesome to me, especially the color-coded badges, and I'm glad that I'll finally get to experience it for myself.

Autreat proposals
Posted by: "Jim Sinclair"
Wed Apr 2, 2008 11:18 am (PDT)
All proposals received for Autreat 2008 have now been forwarded to the
Autreat Planning Committee for consideration, and a confirmation email
has been sent to the people who submitted the proposals. If you tried
to submit a proposal, and you have not received an email from me
confirming that it was received, that means I did not receive it.
Please let me know immediately if this is the case, and try again to
send your proposal.

What will now happen is: The full Autreat Planning Committee will
discuss and then vote on the proposals. If the Committee has any
questions or wants any clarification about your proposal, I will send
you an email on behalf of the Committee, and I will forward your
replies back to the Committee. When the Committee finishes voting (we
usually allow about a week for that), I will send you an email
notifying you of our decision.

Please note that I send these notifications on behalf of the Autreat
Planning Committee. The decisions are made by majority vote of the
full Committee. Each Committee member, including myself, carries one
vote only. Neither I nor any other Committee member makes unilateral
decisions about the acceptance or rejection of proposals.

On behalf of the Autreat Planning Committee, thank you to everyone who
submitted a proposal.

Jim Sinclair
Coordinator, Autism Network International

Please cross-post everywhere that the Autreat Call for Proposals was posted.

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I'm going to be at autreat this year. Any other Wrong Planet members planning on going?

Yes. Myself and my boyfriend, also a WP member, will most likely be attending.

I'm thinking about Autscape. And my son asked if he could come too.