Deadline for submission was 2:00 pm Central Daylight Time on Thursday, May 2, 2013
Conference
Closing The Gap's Annual Conference has an international reputation as a leading source for information on innovative applications of assistive technology for persons with disabilities. The 2013 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 best educational AT conference in North America.
Groups or individuals who wish to participate in Closing The Gap's 2013 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.
Proposals
Closing The Gap will consider proposals for one-hour or multiple-hour sessions that describe and/or demonstrate successful applications of assistive technology for persons with disabilities.
Proposals are invited that report results of current applications; research; development of 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, mobile apps, adaptive devices or the innovative use of assistive technology are highly encouraged -- especially specific how-tos, tips and tricks and product comparisons.
Proposals should focus on practical applications, implementation strategies and best practices, rather than theoretical discourse.
Proposal content should be supported by evidence and should include quantitative performance data.
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 assistive technology 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 assistive technology in education, rehabilitation, vocation or independent living -- typically intermediate to advanced level 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.
Procedure
Abstract: A 300- to 500-word abstract must accompany the proposal form. 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 person-first 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 submitted with the abstract and summary to Closing The Gap. 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.
Submission Deadline
The proposal form, abstract and summary must be received by Closing The Gap on or before 2:00 pm Central Daylight Time on Thursday, May 2, 2013. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Notifications
Confirmation of presentation proposal acceptance/declination and confirmation of specific date and time of accepted presentation will be sent 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 website. 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 Closing The Gap Solutions. Guidelines for submitting materials for these proceedings will be sent upon confirmation of presentation acceptance.
Registration
Presenter Rate:
Presenters may register for the three-day (October 9-11, 2013) conference at a discounted rate of $335 (regular registration is $465).
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.
All-day preconference workshops are scheduled for October 7-8 and cost $275 for one day or $475 for two days.
Return Discount:
A $30 "return" discount is available to ANY past conference registrant and must be used by June 30, 2013. This discount can be used for any preconference workshop OR conference registration and is IN ADDITION to any and all other applicable discounts.
If registering online, you will be required to enter and apply code RETURN at checkout.
Online registration will be available April 1, 2013.
How to Submit
The Deadline is 2:00 pm Central Daylight Time, Thursday, May 2, 2013
What participants have said
My hours at Closing The Gap are my best-spent professional development hours to date.
~ Teacher
My attendance at the 2012 Closing The Gap Conference was not only an inspirational and motivating experience for myself, but will be a game changer for those students and staff members I serve.
~AT Consultant
I attended all five days — it was awesome!
~Speech Pathologist
