We aim to both stimulate your interest and challenge your skills. We hope to change lives by empowering autistic people to live their own lives more effectively. If this is a subject which interests you, we would urge you to take part and give it your best.
Deadlines for Proposers/Presenters
| Date | Item |
|---|---|
| Now | Read about what we're looking for (below), and submit your proposal using the Online Submission Form or use the list of Guidelines to submit by post or e-mail. |
| 11 April | Proposals deadline |
| 30 April | Submitters informed of the success or failure of their proposal |
| (t.b.a.) | Presenters informed of place in schedule |
| 6 July | Presenters submit handouts for copying |
| Autscape! |
Ideas: If you are not interested in doing a presentation yourself, but have ideas for workshop or discussion topics, please tell us about them! You can either e-mail us, or (preferably) subscribe to the Autscape Plan list and post your ideas there.
Please read the following before sending your proposal. When you are certain you have an idea which is appropriate for the Autscape conference, proceed to the Online Form to submit your proposal online, or read the Guidelines and submit the proposal by email or post.
Please fill in a separate form for each presentation you would like to propose.
Call for Proposals
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.
- Inertia
- A common dictionary definition of "Inertia" is the tendency to stay in the same situation if no one 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.
- Action
- 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.