Call for Proposals: Autscape 2015 - Exploring Autistic Space

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AUTSCAPE 2015: EXPLORING AUTISTIC SPACE
Friday 21 August - Monday 24 August 2015
Giggleswick School, Settle, North Yorkshire, UK
http://www.autscape.org/

Please distribute widely. Forward this text or send the link:
http://www.autscape.org/2015/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 2015.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL BY 24 APRIL 2015.
Submission form: http://www.autscape.org/proposals/proposalform
The preferred method is using the proposal submission form, but
you may also provide the requested information by email to
[email protected].

___ Contents ___

* Important changes to the Autscape programme
* 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

___ Important changes to the Autscape programme ___

This year we will consider submissions for presentations in any style
and on any topic, even if it is not directly related to autism. We are
still looking for quality proposals by qualified presenters. To learn
more about what we are looking for, read on.

___ 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 Autistic Space'.

Autistic Space is an environment which is set up for autistic needs
first and foremost. Autscape is one example, but many of us experience
autistic space at other events, in our homes, in our bodies and minds,
or elsewhere. For an introduction to the concept of autistic space, see
http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/1075/1248

The theme is meant to inspire presenters as well as to provide some
coherence to the programme, not to be overly restrictive, so feel free
to be creative in its application. Presentations which seek to develop
this theme will be given priority; however, any suitable topics 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. (Presenters may still use speech; it is just not
the main content of this type of workshop.)

Selected proposals are likely to have these features:

* The topic is relevant to Autscape participants. Although
non-autistic people are welcome to attend, the vast majority of
participants are autistic and the programme is for us, not about
us. Some adaptation may be needed to make an activity accessible to
an autistic audience. All presentations must be positive in their
support for autistic people and our right to be different. This is
the reason for finding this presentation or activity at Autscape
and not just anywhere.

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

* The presentation is structured, informative and relevant. It keeps
the participants engaged and occupied. It took the presenter some
significant effort to put together. 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,
e.g. 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
subsidised presentations.

* Lectures about a very specific topic of interest that is not likely
to be shared and has little or no relevance to autism, autistic
people, or this year's theme.

* 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.

Note: If your proposal is not selected for the main Autscape programme, you
may still offer it at Autcape as a participant-led activity, provided it is
not inappropriate for Autscape. Participant-led activities may be organised
at any time and even initiated at Autscape itself, but they do not attract
a presenter's subsidy.

___ 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/2014/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 (e.g. PowerPoint) by the date requested (to be confirmed,
about 2 weeks before Autscape). These will be made available for
download and printing by Autscape participants. In addition we can
printed a limited number of pages for handouts.

Your details and presentation summary: We would like to include your
presentation summary, biography and any electronic handouts you
provided in our website's Programme section.

Permission to record: As a reasonable adjustment under the Disability
Discrimination Act, some audience members will audio record your
presentation for personal use. If your proposal is accepted, we will
also seek your permission to video or otherwise record your
presentation. These records may be made available to others by
Autscape. If you have any questions or objections, please let us know
so we can discuss it.

Discussion: Presenters giving lecture-style presentations are
encouraged to run a discussion group on their topic later in the day,
for those who would like to explore the issue further. If you may have
problems with this we will try and find a volunteer to help.

___ What can you expect from us? ___

Accommodation: You will receive a 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. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding, we cannot offer free
attendance at all of Autscape this year. Whenever you are not
presenting you can enjoy the event, including other workshops and the
setting, just as any other participant.

(Please note: This rebate is not given for those running informal
activities such as leisure sessions. However, for these, we will pay
reasonable expenses for materials required.)

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.

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.

Respect and consideration: We will let you know as soon as possible if
your proposal has been accepted and will try our best to accommodate
you at a time that suits you.

___ 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]

Please include the following information:
* Name
* Country
* At least one way to contact you of:
+ Email address (preferred)
+ Phone number
+ Postal address
* Your session's title.
* Name or alias you wish to be known by publicly.
* The type of session you are proposing: lecture, workshop, hands-on
workshop, other.
* How does your presentation relate to this year's theme 'Exploring
Autistic Space'?
* A description of your presentation or activity of not more than 150
words.
* A summary of your personal experience and qualifications (a.k.a.
bio) for running this session of not more than 100 words.

The board will decide which presentations to accept for Autscape and
will inform everybody who has made a proposal of their decision by 18
May 2014.

Remember, ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 24 APRIL 2015.
___________________________________

Autscape - an *autistic* conference.
http://www.autscape.org/

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Autscape is the trading name of The Autscape Organisation, a registered
charity (no. 1141913) and limited company registered in England and Wales
(no. 7325467).

Only three weeks left to submit your proposals for Autscape 2015. The deadline is Friday, 24 April.

Only two weeks left to submit your proposals for Autscape 2015. The deadline is Friday, 24 April.

Only a week left to submit your proposals for Autscape 2015. The deadline is Friday, 24 April.

The deadline for proposals to present at Autscape is tomorrow. If you are hoping to present a lecture, workshop or other activity at Autscape, you need to send it to us by midnight Friday 24 April. For more information and to submit a proposal, please see:

http://www.autscape.org/2015/proposals/

Remember that presentations and activities on *any topic* will be considered. They do not have to be about autism. However, if you only want to do a leisure activity or discussion without the competitive process for a presenter's subsidy, that does not have to be in by this deadline.

The Autscape Organisation has received 24 proposal for presentations, workshops and hands-on activities for Autscape 2015!

This is a new record!

Since Autscape's limited budget would only enable to have about 10 proposals out of those, the competition is going to be tough this year!

May the best proposals win!! !