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Please distribute widely. The address for this page is: www.autscape.org/2019/proposals/cfp
Autscape 2019: Making Connections
Monday 12 - Thursday 15 August 2019
High Leigh Conference Centre
We are now accepting proposals for all types of presentations for Autscape 2019.
Please submit your proposal by 24 May 2019.
Changes from previous years
1. Presenters from under-represented groups
We would like to encourage people who wouldn’t usually get to present. If you tell us that you have a learning disability, are a young person, have an additional disability, or are not a usual presenter in another way, we will try extra hard to include you.
If you find it hard to use the form to tell us about your presentation, email programme@autscape.org and we will try to help.
If you are a young person and would like to present on the young people’s programme, we will use different criteria to judge your proposal.
2. No discount on Autscape attendance
This year, attendance at Autscape and being a presenter are completely separate. Presenters will not get a discount on their Autscape attendance and no space will be held for them. Instead, a contribution will be made towards expenses. More details below.
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. Nearly all of the audience are autistic people.
Theme
The theme for this year's Autscape is 'Making Connections'.
This is a broad theme that encompasses any type of connection. We invite proposers to interpret the theme freely and creatively.
Possible example topics include (but are not limited to):
- connections autistic people make with their community and non-autistic people, being part of groups, making friends;
- autistic brains and thinking;
- connections between autistic people in person, online, and across national or other boundaries;
- anything to do with communication because communication helps us connect with other people;
- connections between autistic groups and other disability or advocacy groups;
- connecting with our environment through, for example, experiencing nature or sensory experiences;
- connecting with ourselves and our bodies through art, music or movement.
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 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.
For examples of what has been presented as part of the Autscape main programme in the past, see the presentations from previous years.
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 to 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.
What do we expect from you?
Reliability: you need to be able to assure us that you will be there to present as agreed. If there are certain days or times you can’t present, you must let us know when you propose, not later.
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?
Very important! This has changed from previous years.
Attendance at Autscape is not subsidised or guaranteed!
If you want to attend Autscape, you must register and pay for your place in the usual way. You should do this straight away as places are now first come first served.
If you are attending Autscape, we will not give any discount on your attendance, accommodation or food. You can submit other expenses.
If you are not registered to attend Autscape, you will be expected only to be on site long enough to give your presentation and join us for one meal if you choose to. We will try to schedule your presentation to make it possible to travel to Autscape and back within the day. Given the location, this should be possible for anyone within greater London. If that is not possible, you will be accommodated off-site or at the venue, depending what is more convenient for us, for one night.
We will make a contribution of up to £50 towards your expenses, with evidence (e.g. train ticket). Please respect the fact that Autscape is a charity funded entirely by the fees paid by participants, most of whom are disabled, and keep your expenses as low as possible, e.g. by buying tickets in advance. We reserve the right not to pay the full amount if your expenses are higher than they needed to be.
If you have exceptional expenses, e.g. bringing a paid carer, having more than one presenter or hiring care for dependants at home, please let us know with your proposal. This will not affect the likelihood of your proposal being accepted. There is a discretionary budget (like bursaries) that will be used for these expenses, but it is limited, so we may have to discuss how much can be offered.
Autscape provides a rare opportunity to be heard by a significant number of autistic people. It is a chance to have some influence and get some feedback from the people who matter most in the field of autism.
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 this form.
If you have difficulty accessing or completing the form, please email: programme@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 20 June 2019.
Remember, all proposals must be received by 24 May 2019.