Call for Papers

Guidelines

Individuals who wish to participate in the International Conference on Culturally Responsive Disability Services program are invited to submit abstract(s) to the Conference Office. The abstract(s) must be received by March 31, 2008. Although all papers will be considered, priority will be given to abstracts which address the conference themes:

• Cultural competency education and training (pre service and in service)
• Best practices in providing culturally responsive services in the disability and health services
• Acquiring and strengthening cultural competence through international experience
• Research on cultural competency

Abstracts for poster or podium sessions are equally encouraged.

A special issue of the journal "Disability & Rehabilitation" focusing on the conference theme is also planned. If you are interested in submitting an article for consideration, please so indicate on the abstract form. Authors who wish to have their paper considered for inclusion in this special issue of the journal should submit the paper written in the form of a journal article to the conference organizers by the time of the conference.

If you wish to discuss your abstract prior to submission, please contact:

John Stone
The Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange
Email: jstone@buffalo.edu
Phone: (716) 829–3141 extension 125

Penny Parnes
The International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation
Email: penny.parnes@utoronto.ca
Phone: (416) 946–8556

Abstract Requirements

An abstract must not exceed 500 words and must conform to the formatting guidelines provided below.

1. Title and author(s) – including the name, title, organization, address, phone number and email address of the presenter. If there is more than one author, please include their names in the Comments box
2. An indication if the abstract is submitted for poster or podium presentation
3. An approval for the "Permission to Duplicate" field
4. No graphs, tables or visuals are to be submitted

Presentations should be 20 minutes long, with 5 minutes allotted for questions afterward. PowerPoint visual support is preferred although an overhead projector will be available as a backup.

Submission Of Abstracts

You can submit your abstract online. Abstracts must be submitted by March 31. All submissions will be acknowledged by email shortly after they are received.

Acceptance Process

Abstracts will be judged on the following criteria:

1. The proposed presentation addresses the conference theme
2. The proposed presentation is innovative and/or original
3. The abstract has sufficient detail explaining what will be addressed and presented
4. The abstract is well organized
5. The proposed presentation will add new insights and/or knowledge
6. The proposed presentation will be of interest to a broad audience

Notification

Notification of acceptance will be by email. When the conference program is finalized, the Program Committee will notify you of the duration and format as well as the presentation date and time. If there is a date that you will not be able to present, please note it in the comments field of the submission form. Once a date and time has been confirmed, no changes will be made.

Conference Attendance and Registration

Speakers are requested to register for the conference, in addition to submitting their abstract. Travel and accommodation for accepted speakers will not be covered. Attendees should make their own hotel reservations – further information is available on the accommodations page.

Deadlines

Abstracts must be received by March 31, 2008