Call for proposals

Autscape 2021 will be held online.

Please distribute widely. The address for this page is: www.autscape.org/2021/proposals/cfp

Autscape 2021: Growing, Developing and Learning

Friday 23rd July – Tuesday 27th July 2021
Online

We are now accepting proposals for presentations for Autscape 2021.

Please submit your proposal by 28th May 2021.

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

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 'Growing, Developing and Learning'.

Proposals will ideally refer to the theme, but it is not obligatory to do so. In addition, we invite proposers to interpret the theme freely and creatively. Proposals which refer to the theme are more likely to be selected.

What we are looking for

We wish to explore a broad range of perspectives on being autistic, both theoretical and practical. 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. 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.
• Creative activities such as art, music or drama presented in a way that is relevant to, and adapted for, autistic participants in an online setting.
• Practical activities that can help autistic people live better, for example, coping with sensory issues or using communication aids (adapted for the online setting).

Think about what kinds of activities might work remotely. Is there anything that online interaction might make easier? Shared music does not work particularly well because of timing issues.

Selected proposals are likely to have these features:

• The topic is relevant to Autscape. Although non-autistic people are welcome, 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.
• The presenter is qualified. This does not mean you need to have ‘formal’ 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.
• The presentation is structured, informative and relevant. It keeps the participants engaged.
• It is worth the participants paying for.

The sort of thing that is unlikely to be selected:

• Lectures about one's personal experience of being (growing up) autistic.
• Discussions on a topic of interest where the participants provide most of the material.
• Workshops about curing or preventing autism, unless it is from an advocacy standpoint.

Note: if your proposal is not selected for the main programme, you may still offer it as a participant-led activity. There will be an opportunity to submit these nearer the time.

Examples

For examples of what has been presented as part of the Autscape main programme in the past, see the presentations from previous years.

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 slides (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. 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: We will seek your permission to 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?

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 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 26th June 2021.

Remember, all proposals must be received by 28th May 2021.