Call for Papers

We seek to educate consumer and professional audiences and help develop best practices through your professional practical knowledge or research expertise in blindness and/or low vision. Thank you for your interest in presenting – we look forward to your proposal!

Key Deadline/Dates To Remember

• Submissions accepted November 18, 2009 to April 16, 2010
• Selection notification by June 17, 2010
• Deadline for submitting presentation media/handouts August 15, 2010
• Conference Presentation Sessions October 22 – 24, 2010

We encourage a wide variety of presentation proposals emphasizing best practices, innovation and/or research. While we provide a list suggested topics (see below), we also welcome and invite submissions on other topics related to blindness and/or low vision.

Please consider the Proposal Submission Instructions below when you submit a proposal either through the online form below or by emailing: visionmidwest AT gmail DOT com.

Proposal Submission Instructions

Please Remember the Deadline for Submissions is April 16, 2010.

Basic Information

• By submitting a proposal you (and in the case of a panel, all panel members) agree to be available for a presentation any of the days/times that the conference is in session on October 22 – 24, 2010. Panel groups should make sure that each member has agreed, prior to a proposal submission, to attend and present at the conference.
• While the Vision Midwest Conference will waive its basic conference fee for presenters, and seeks to minimize all costs associated with the event, all travel expenses, lodging, food costs and any other costs associated with the conference will be borne by the presenter(s) unless other arrangements with 12 State, Inc. have been made prior to the conference.
• All proposals submitted are reviewed and selected by a Vision Midwest Conference Presentation Review Committee of professionals.
• Please double-check your submission for accuracy. 12 State’s Vision Midwest Conference will post information from your submission on our website and program.

Proposal Order/Format

Successful proposals, including those emailed to the Vision Midwest Conference, will contain the following information in the following order:

1. Name/Title/Affiliations
2. Contact Information
3. Presentation Title/Topic(s)
4. Presentation Descriptive Abstract
5. Presentation Abstract/Outline
6. Presentation Audience Level
7. Presentation Duration
8. Presentation Format
9. AV and Other Equipment Needs
10. Reasonable Accommodations/Special Needs

Details

1. Name/Title/Affiliations

Please provide us with your name and title as you would like it to appear, your educational degrees and certifications, and your educational/organizational/business affiliations (and/or a short biography including them).

2. Contact Information

Please provide your contact information that will best allow us to reach you via phone (including cell phone if possible), email and postal mail.

3. Presentation Title/Topic(s)

Generally brief, descriptive titles are best. Overly long titles may be edited/truncated at our discretion. Please also include up to three presentation Topic(s) using at least one from the Suggested Topic List [link] and/or at least one you have devised if the Suggested Topic List does not provide a suitable presentation subject choice.

4. Presentation Descriptive Abstract

This brief descriptive abstract should be no more than 50 words and may be listed on the conference website and program. It should describe the content of the presentation in no more than four sentences.

5. Presentation Abstract/Outline

The equivalent of up to a one-page abstract or outline of your presentation.

6. Presentation Audience Level

Please select the educational/knowledge level that best describes the level that your presentation is directed towards:

• Beginner – Appropriate for all adult audiences.
• Intermediate – Appropriate for audiences with basic knowledge of the subject area.
• Advanced – Appropriate for audiences with significant knowledge of the subject area.

Professional – Intended for audiences with extensive or professional knowledge of subject area.

7. Presentation Duration

Please select from the following time periods the length of your presentation:

• 45 Minutes
• 1 Hour
• 1-1/4 Hours
• 1-1/2 Hours

8. Presentation Format

Please let us know if this is an individual presentation, a workshop-style presentation or a panel/group presentation.

9. AV and Other Equipment Needs

With advanced notice the Vision Midwest Conference will attempt to provide you with audio-visual equipment and other equipment necessary for your presentation. In the event that we cannot provide certain equipment we will contact you and attempt to make alternative arrangements.

10. Reasonable Accommodations/Special Needs

Please let us know if you have accessibility requirements, religious obligations that may restrict time/date availability or any other needs that you seek us to address. The 12 State Vision Midwest Conference will make every effort to accommodate presenter needs requested by the April 16, 2010 proposal deadline.

You may submit a proposal either through the online form or by emailing us at visionmidwest@gmail.com.

Suggested Topic List

Suggested topics include, but are not limited to the following:

• Accessibility/Assistive Technology
• Aging
• Health Care/Health Policy,
• Infant to Pre-K Education/Development
• Information and Technology
• K-12 Education
• Legal System
• Medical Treatments/Research
• Multiple Disabilities
• Occupational Therapy
• Orientation and Mobility
• Physical Activity/Sports
• Post-Secondary Education
• Psychosocial Services
• Public Policy
• Therapeutic Recreation
• Transportation
• Universal Design
• Veteran Health Care
• Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• Vocational Rehabilitation

Submit Paper

To submit a paper, please complete the Call for Papers form.