2012 AHEAD Conference
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D iversity July 9-14, 2012
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Call for Proposals
Submission Deadline Now Extended: November 14, 2011
The Association on Higher Education And Disability is pleased to announce its thirty-fifth annual conference to be held in vibrant New Orleans, Louisiana, July 9-14, 2012. The Association provides opportunities for professional development to those who work to facilitate the development of usable, sustainable and inclusive higher education environments for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities and who believe society is ultimately enriched by human difference.
The annual conference is the Association’s hallmark event and draws participants from around the world who represent education, government, legal, research, and technology fields, among others. Attendees come together for an exciting mix of learning, policy development and face-to-face networking.
The New Orleans 2012 AHEAD Conference has been designed to develop professional competencies, challenge perspectives on disability, and influence practices. Intention drives and designs change.This conference will explore how designing with intention leads to campus communities that are diverse, inclusive, accessible, and equitable, which thereby influences perceptions of disability, social change, and the overall educational environment.
AHEAD enthusiastically seeks proposals from Disability Resource/Services personnel, higher education professionals, faculty, researchers, and professionals in the disability field for presentation at AHEAD 2012 for the topical areas highlighted below. We encourage submissions in many formats (lecture, hands-on demonstrations, panels, roundtable discussions, etc.). Proposals may be submitted under one or more of the following topical areas as a part of the application process. Presentations from partnered projects where multiple partners will be present are highly encouraged to exemplify best practices in collaboration. Consider the comments and examples below when developing your proposals.
We are calling for 2012 proposals in the following areas:
- Multi-cultural and international perspectives on disability
Disability contributes to the rich diversity of our country and world. AHEAD has devoted a topical area to the many unique viewpoints which broaden our understanding and awareness of the breadth of experiences of people who have disabilities. We seek examples of successful practices and programming on your campus that have helped to develop the cultural competencies of your colleagues and students or, practices which built in-roads with other cultural groups on campus. We also welcome proposals showcasing the many intersections of other aspects of diversity with disability, including but not limited to: race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, and socio-economic status. Internationally-focused presentations might include insight into how disability is experienced and how disability services are provided in other countries around the world or how we as DS professionals can best support our students studying abroad. - Facilitating successful academic and vocational transitions
Transitions are difficult for all of us! The transition to college for students with and without disabilities (at its most basic level) is difficult because they are leaving one familiar environment, support network, and routine for one that is completely foreign. A transition happens again if that student goes into an internship, clinical, or co-op experience. And yet another transition occurs when they leave the institution to either enroll in another school or to find employment. We know that successful transitions are critical to the ultimate retention and satisfaction of students with disabilities. AHEAD welcomes presentations that highlight the many materials, programs, practices, and community organizations which help to smooth the transition into and through higher education and careers for those who have disabilities. - Eliminating barriers through adaptive and universal technology
Adaptive Technology is incredibly diverse in terms of its design and functionality however, the objective is consistent: barrier removal. To those who do not consider themselves “tech savvy”, the reasons for Adaptive technology software can seem daunting, not to mention the methods used to successfully employ it. AHEAD seeks demonstrations and hands-on presentations which delve into tried and true technology along with presentations which explore up-and-coming solutions. We welcome submissions geared to the more technologically un-familiar professional in addition to those geared toward our resident experts. Lectures are also encouraged to consider analyzing technology as a means of sustainable access and independence. - The influence of Disability Studies in the work of disability services
The social model of disability is at the heart of the academic field of Disability Studies. Scholars study the social, political, cultural, and economic factors that impact the perception of disability in society. The discipline also fosters an enhanced awareness of the stigmatizing connection that can exist among medical research, intervention, and disability. AHEAD seeks proposals which link Disability Studies with Disability Services, educating participants and encouraging forward thinking and progressive policy/ procedure development. - Promoting and demonstrating Universal Design on our campuses
The concept of Universal Design (UD) is widely respected within the field of Disability Services. UD is known as the creation of environments which are accessible to the greatest extent possible for the greatest number of individuals without the need for adaptation. As a vocal supporter and promoter of UD on your campus, you may advise institution-wide committees, individual offices, or faculty members on how to create accessible materials and spaces for everyone. You may even compile your innovative ideas into presentations and publications for a larger audience to absorb. The promotion of UD is extremely important, as is the demonstration that you and your office also create universally designed space(s), policies, procedures, and practices. AHEAD welcomes presentations that explore UD in all of its forms (physical space, online, curriculum and instruction, policy development, etc), and which provide examples of the application of UD within your office and/or institution. - The emergence of new trends, populations, and practices
In greater numbers than ever before, students with disabilities are coming to college. As of late, students with psychiatric disabilities, Asperger's Syndrome, autism, and chronic illnesses are among those who have increasingly begun requesting the support of DS professionals. Trends have also shown a dramatic increase in the number of veterans and individuals with intellectual disabilities who are interested in higher education. Furthermore, the revolution of online education is taking many courses (or components of courses) into cyberspace. What do these and other trends mean for DS professionals? How can we best work with students who do, in fact, belong to one of these, or other, emerging groups? AHEAD encourages presentations which answer these questions and share innovative approaches which participants can carry out on their respective campuses. - Creating and maintaining partnerships for inclusive education
It is the institution's responsibility to ensure accessibility for all of its students with disabilities. That responsibility is typically shouldered by those in the DS office. However, we all know one office doesn't do it alone! Partnerships across the institution and in the community allow for a more robust and well-executed provision of accessibility. Not to mention the fact that the work of these partnerships often creates a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. Presentations are encouraged which illuminate unique and forward-thinking ways to accomplish such a task with critical campus and community stakeholders. - Effective, strategic, and innovative DS office management
Managing an office in higher education means managing a lot of paperwork, politics, and systems. This topical area allows for presentations which highlight administrative tools, tips, practices, and technology for those who may be new to managing or who don't have a great deal of access to such information. Some examples of presentations we welcome would be those focused on smart supervision, political navigation, or the use of assessment, databases, and educational apps to enhance office productivity and/or student learning outcomes.
AHEAD’s commitment to universal access and environmental responsibility
In lieu of receiving paper handouts onsite at the conference, attendees at AHEAD 2012 will access handout and presentation support literature in advance, via Internet download beginning no later than two weeks in prior to the conference. This will afford each attendee the opportunity to access as many different sets of information as they like, in the output format of their choice, well in advance of the conference.
While providing the benefit of universal access for each attendee, this approach will greatly reduce the burden on presenters and the environment created by providing handout materials for each attendee in each session – many of which end up going un-used.
To facilitate this process, all presentation applicants are required to agree that, if accepted, they will provide their complete presentation support materials in Microsoft Word format to AHEAD via electronic transfer no later than a month before the conference. Accepted presenters will be provided with complete instructions for completing this requirement in advance.
In continuation of the organization’s standards of excellence, AHEAD will provide all presenters with support audiovisual equipment including amplification, LCD projectors, power cables, screens and flipcharts. All participants will be provided with options for CART, Sign Language Interpreters, assistive listening systems, and orientation tours at their discretion.
To begin the proposal submission process, click on Call for Proposals – Specifications
Questions? Please e-mail ahead2012@ahead.org
