Conference

Closing The Gap's Annual Conference has an international reputation as a leading source for information on innovative applications of computer technology for persons with disabilities. The 2008 Conference builds on a tradition of providing a comprehensive examination of the most current uses of technology by persons with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.

Topics will cover a broad spectrum of technology as it is being applied to all disabilities and age groups in education, rehabilitation, vocation, and independent living. People with disabilities, special educators, rehabilitation professionals, administrators, service/care providers, personnel managers, government officials, and hardware/software developers will share their experiences and insights at what has become known as the most significant networking experience of the year -- the annual Closing The Gap Conference.

Groups or individuals who wish to participate in Closing The Gap's 2008 Conference should submit their proposals for one-hour and multiple-hour presentations as soon as possible. Directions and information are found below. Please fill out the proposal form completely; incomplete proposals will not be considered.

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Proposals

Closing The Gap will consider proposals for one-hour or multiple-hour sessions that describe and/or demonstrate successful applications of computer technology for persons with disabilities.

Proposals are invited that report results of current applications, research, development of computer hardware, software, or adaptive devices, model programs, or procedures used by and for persons with disabilities.

Proposals for sessions that demonstrate the use of software programs, adaptive devices, or the innovative use of standard computer technology are highly encouraged -- especially specific how-tos and product comparisons.

Proposals should focus on practical applications rather than theoretical discourse.

Proposals should be supported with quantitative data and outcome measures.

Proposals for open forums in which participants discuss, comment openly, and share ideas and opinions relevant to a primary subject or focus are also encouraged.

Because the median computer sophistication level of Closing The Gap Conference participants advances each year, Closing The Gap encourages proposals for sessions directed at persons who are actively using computers in education, rehabilitation, vocation, or independent living -- typically intermediate to advanced level computer users.

Closing The Gap recognizes the continued need for introductory activities as well, and will select a range of proposals that meets needs across the computer experience continuum and facilitates a balanced interchange between special educators and rehabilitation professionals.

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Procedure

Abstract: A 300- to 500-word abstract must accompany a copy of the proposal form found within this Call for Participation. This abstract will be reviewed by a conference panel and is critical in determining the quality and acceptance of the presentation.

Summary: A separate, 100-word summary must also be submitted for inclusion in the Conference Directory. This summary should be written in the future tense, using first-person language, concisely stating presentation sequence and scope, and highlighting concrete examples and products. This summary must be congruent with the content of the actual presentation. It will be used by participants as the basis for attending and evaluating the presentation.

Proposal Form: The proposal form must be completely filled out and returned with the abstract and summary to Closing The Gap on or before 2:00 pm Central Daylight Time on Thursday, May 1, 2008. If there will be more than one presenter, a lead presenter must be designated and complete contact information provided for each presenter.

Also, please only list those persons who will actually attend and present at the conference. You may note the appropriate author/creator of your presentation on your abstract, but do not list the author(s) or creator(s) as presenters unless he, she, or they will be present at the conference.

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Registration

Presenters may register for the three-day (October 16-18, 2008) conference for $285 (regular registration is $420) if received by Closing The Gap on or before September 13, 2008.

Presenters do not have to register for the conference to present. However, only those presenters who have registered may attend conference sessions/exhibits other than their own.

A late registration fee of $455 will be charged for all presenter registrations received after September 13th.

Cancellations must be received in writing by Closing The Gap on or before October 1, 2008. All cancellations are subject to a $50 cancellation handling fee. No refunds after October 1, 2008. Unpaid balances are due in full.

All-day preconference workshops are scheduled for October 14-15 and cost $270
per day.

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Notifications

Confirmation of presentation proposal acceptance/declination, and confirmation of specific date, time, and hotel of accepted presentation will be mailed by the first week in August.

In offering to present a paper, it is expressly understood that the presentation may be scheduled at any time on any of the conference days at the discretion of the conference organizers.

Presenters will be expected to provide all handouts at the conference. In addition, handouts must be made available to Closing The Gap for posting on Closing The Gap's Web site. Failure to adequately supply handouts, both on-site and Web, will result in nonconsideration of future proposals.

Selected manuscripts submitted by conference presenters will be published in the Closing The Gap newspaper and/or on Closing The Gap's Web site. Guidelines for submitting materials for these proceedings will be sent upon confirmation of presentation acceptance.

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How to Submit

The Submission Deadline of 2:00 pm Central Daylight Time, Thursday, May 1, 2008 has expired. On-line Submission is no longer available.

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