Call for abstracts - 2008 Conference

Invitation

On behalf of the conference organising committee, it is my pleasure to invite you to the 2008 ARATA National Conference, AT: Creating Value through Participation, to be held in Adelaide, South Australia, from 22-24 September 2008.

ARATA began in Adelaide back in the early 1990s (as the Australian Conference on Technology for People with Disabilities) and has since grown to become the key professional body focused on assistive technology (AT) issues and practice.

In 2008 we aim to explore some of the challenges faced with getting AT to the people who need it, and demonstrating its value to the community at large. The Conference Committee is determined to see AT users themselves taking a key role in the 2008 Conference. This starts with some of our invited speakers who have a disability, and most importantly includes opportunity for end users to present (in a way that best suits the person and message). If you find the whole concept daunting, but you think you have something worth sharing, please contact the Conference Secretariat and we will arrange to link you with someone (or a group) who can help you craft your message, so it is shared at ARATA2008. Special support funds may also be available to assist with your attendance at the Conference for AT end users.

2008 promises to be a year of exciting possibilities, and perhaps the cusp of a new era in technology for independence. I encourage you to participate!

Dr Lloyd Walker
Chair, ARATA Conference 2008

Adelaide, South Australia

Founded in 1836, Adelaide is the state capital of South Australia. It is an attractive well-planned city of wide streets, gardens, squares, parklands and a mixture of historic and modern buildings. About one million people live in Adelaide which is renowned for its rich cultural life. The city is small enough to be friendly and welcoming, yet large enough to provide plenty of national and international attractions and entertainment, such as the Fringe and WOMAD festivals.

Known as "the Festival State", South Australia will be hosting the second OzAsia Festival coinciding with ARATA 2008, highlighting Adelaide's love of music and the performing arts with artists coming from around the world. There are also splendid wineries, food producers, villages and natural attractions nearby in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Barossa Valley and Southern Vales.

Set between the hills and the sea, Adelaide enjoys a Mediterranean climate. September temperatures range from 9.6 minimum to 18.9 maximum. Beaches, outdoor sports, theatres and shopping are popular pastimes. You can find out more about Adelaide by visiting Tourism SA and Australian Tourism Net.

The conference

ARATA's biennial conference provides a forum for exploring issues in and the value of assistive technology for people with disabilities and the ageing.

The 2008 conference will provide an opportunity to bring together people from Australia, New Zealand and internationally. It is designed to meet the needs of people who:

are new to using technology
use technology and want to increase their skills and knowledge
are keen to see the impact technology can have on improving participation for both older people and those with disabilities
develop and/or manufacture assistive technology
prescribe, purchase and deliver assistive technology

The conference aims to enable participants to:

learn about new developments, research and policy initiatives
share information, exchange ideas
be informed about resources and products
network

Key themes

The 2008 ARATA conference will focus on enhancing and recognising the value of participation, through technology, of people with disabilities and those who are ageing. In keeping with world trends, all aspects of human activity will be considered - home, education, work and leisure. Participants will be able to experience the creativity that is possible through the effective use of technology. The experience of older people and those with disabilities themselves will be a valuable part of this event.

ARATA recognises several unique areas of assistive technology that contribute to inclusion and participation.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Computer and Environmental Control Systems
Human Perspectives of Technology
Manufacturer and Supply of Communication/Computer Assistive Technology
Service Delivery and Government Policy
Wheeled Mobility and Seating

Conference format

The format is intended to provide all participants with an opportunity to contribute and learn. The format will include:

plenary sessions
papers, workshops and demonstrations based on practical experiences, applications of assistive technology, research, innovative design, and more
artistic work that tells or shows the role of technology in people's lives
forums / panel discussions
poster presentations
trade displays
supplier instructional presentations; (scheduled time to present product information)
pre-conference workshops

Who should present?

Conference presenters will come from diverse backgrounds and will have experience or knowledge in the application or use of assistive technology for people with disabilities and those who are ageing.

Presenters will include:

end-users (people with disabilities, older people and their families)
those who work with end-users (eg carers, medical practitioners, occupational therapists, orthotists/prosthetists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation engineers, speech pathologists, teachers, technicians)
key groups in the sector (government, manufacturers, researchers and suppliers)

If you have used, developed, recommended or supplied assistive technology, we invite you to share your information.

Some issues and ideas

Achieving participation through technology
Demonstrating the value of assistive technology
Cost/benefit analysis
Impact of assistive technology - quality of life
Research on real clinical practice
Solution development with our regional partners (Asia/Pacific)

Who will attend?

The Conference will be attended by a variety of people including:

those using technology and their families
professionals working in aged care, disability, education, health, and employment services
parliamentarians and government officers
researchers
product developers and technology suppliers
Purchasers of AT products and services

Conditions of presentation

The following conditions apply to every author, presenter or panelist, including exhibitors who are presenting papers.

Papers and artistic presentations will only be considered if they comply with the guidelines provided in this document
Proposals submitted past the due date may not be considered
Presentations may be scheduled for any time during the conference
Presenters should allow at least 5 minutes for questions, within the time allocated for their presentation
ARATA reserves the right to publish material submitted
Presenters are required to submit their entire paper or outline of presentation prior to the conference
Authors and presenters whose submissions have been accepted will be expected to register and pay the conference fees (at ARATA membership rates) by the advertised registration closing date
The official language of the conference is English and all papers and presentations are to be submitted for consideration and printing in English

Submission of abstract proposals and artistic presentations

Closing date for submissions is Friday 29th February 2008

The purpose of the abstract or artistic presentation outline is to define the precise theme of the presentation for potential inclusion into the conference program. The proposal should be in keeping with the conference theme, "AT: Creating Value through Participation" and comply with the following guidelines.

In 2008, authors can choose to have their abstract and paper fully peer reviewed. For more information about the peer review process, email arata08@ammp.com.au.

All abstracts and artistic presentation outlines will be reviewed. Written notification to authors and presenters will be sent in March/April 2008.

Peer review process

Peer review of full papers will be available in 2008. If you would like your paper to be peer reviewed, please submit your full paper by 29th February 2008 using the manuscript guidelines and template below.

Manuscript template for full paper and peer review (rtf 65 kb)

Guidelines for submission of abstracts

In 2008, the Conference Committee wishes to encourage the involvement of end-users and their families. If you think you have something worth sharing, please contact the Conference Secretariat and we will arrange to link you with someone (or a group) who can help you craft your message and ensure it is shared at ARATA 2008. Special support funds may also be available to assist with your attendance at the Conference.

Each abstract proposal and presentation outline must be on a separate page and be submitted with a Call for Abstracts Application Form. You are encouraged to download and use the Abstract Proposal Template (rtf 7 kb)
The title of the presentation should not exceed 50 characters
The text of the abstract/presentation outline should not exceed 200 words
Each abstract/presentation outline should be accompanied by a 50 word summary of the presentation for use in the Registration Guide if the proposal is accepted. This should be on the same page as the abstract/presentation outline
Do not use abbreviations in the title or the body of the abstract/outline
The abstract/outline should be formatted according to the following requirements:
- single A4 page in portrait orientation
- margins 2.5 cm (1 inch)
- title and text typed in 12 point black Arial font with double line spacing
- title centred, bold and in title case
- authors names centred, bold and in title case
- text a single paragraph left aligned, in single column linear layout
- content in the body of the page - NOT in text boxes or headers and footers

Submitting abstract proposals

Submission deadline: Proposals must be received by Friday 29th February 2008

Online submission

Before commencing the online submission you will need to have ready:

The name and contact details for all presenters
Equipment requirements for your session
A completed Abstract Proposal Template (rtf 7 kb) prepared in accordance with the Guidelines for submission of abstracts above, and including a 50 word summary of presentation

Submit abstract online now

Submitting by mail

Send a hard copy of the Abstract Proposal, Copyright Release Form and a copy on disk with a signed Call for Abstracts Application Form to:

ARATA 2008 Conference
A.M. Meetings Plus P/L
PO Box 16, Ascot Vale VIC 3032, Australia

Submitting electronically

Send the Abstract Proposal as an e-mail attachment to arata08@ammp.com.au

The Call for Abstracts Application Form and Copyright Release Form may also be sent electronically with a scanned signature or sent separately by fax or mail with your Abstract Proposal.

Enquiries A.M. Meetings Plus

Phone: 03 9372 7182 (International +61 3 9372 7182)
Fax: 03 9372 7184 (International +61 3 9372 7184)
Email: arata08@ammp.com.au