Autscape 2008

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Autscape 2008
Event Date Tues 29 July − Fri 1 August 2008

Welcome to Autscape
Autscape is a three day conference organised by and for autistic people. There are workshops, leisure activities, social opportunities, and more, all specifically oriented to the needs and preferences of autistic people.

Autscape 2007 was yet another great success. The schedule for 2007 is still available for those of you who like to get an impression of last year's presentations, and under Literature you can still find all the essential information for participants. The newly elected committee is now preparing to plan Autscape 2008.

For more general information, browse through our pages to find out what it's all about and what it's like to be at Autscape.

Feel free to link to our site and distribute our information and website address (http://www.autscape.org/) to anyone who may be interested.

After three cosecutive years of being held in Somerset, this year's Autscape will be held in North Yorkshire.
The exact location will be given upon request.

I have been to Autscape in the past, and I am aware that the event's basic philosophy is "autistic space".

I like the idea of us autistic people having our space where things are designed to work around our needs. If this can work, it's a welcome break from what we have to endure in society at large, being in a small minority who have to fit around the needs of NTs.
And I have experienced plenty of useful talks at Autscape, and had plenty of good moments. It feels relaxing, and rewarding, when you've gone to a conference where the presentations addressed your concerns, which is so rare for us.

I have some reservations about Autscape though.

Firstly, I believe that the simple fact that people have to relate to each other in a group means that we can't fully be ourselves. We have to use relationship skills, which are for us unnatural; in other words we have to make an effort to be NT-like; we obviously can't remain self-absorbed as we naturally would.

Then, there are some things that autistic people are not very good at, and sometimes the presentations felt like the blind leading the blind.

There is also an activist slant to the event, which I dislike. I think that the "autism is beautiful" crowds within the organization are too loud. That sits uncomfortably with the event's self-proclaimed basic philosophy of "autistic space".

Lastly, some people take their children, including neurotypical ones, to Autscape, and I have a serious problem with that. I believe that it is very unfair to ask a child to fit around the needs of autistic adults. Surely the responsible way to handle a child is to focus on the child's needs and development, at a time when they are vulnerable and their outlook on life is forming, and when their experiences can have repercussions for the rest of their lives.

These last two considerations have actually made me come off the event. They are things that I disagree with too strongly.

The schedule for 2007 is still available for those of you who like to get an impression of last year's presentations: http://www.autscape.org/programme/schedule.html

a crueler mind would ask "did anyone show up?"..
could have been interesting, though...

KenG - lefty? film at 11...

The Autscape management committee would like to encourage interested members to join
subcommittees to help with the running of Autscape. Please look at the
following list of subcommittees and if you think you have any knowledge
of or even just an interest in one of the areas - volunteer.

Volunteering for a subcommittee will contribute to making Autscape
happen. At the same time being on a subcommittee will give you an
opportunity to learn more about how Autscape is run and help you develop
useful skills.

There are subcommittees in these areas:

-Fundraising (Current members: R. (Chair), Y., L., M.)
This subcommittee deals with all aspects of raising money to help fund
Autscape.

-Constitution (Current members: L. (Chair), Y., K., G.)
This subcommittee deals with Autscape's governing documents and the
issues involved in becoming a charity.

-Programme & Public Relations (Current members: M. (Chair), K.,
A.)
This subcommittee deals with Autscape publicity and putting together the
conference programme.

-IT (Current members: M. (Chair), K., D.)
This subcommittee deals with all IT issues relating to Autscape, both
between events (e.g. website, registration database) and during the
event itself (e.g. internet access onsite, webcasts etc.)

-Childcare (Current members: under discussion - likely to include
G., K., Y.)
This subcommittee will deal with arranging childcare for Autscape 2008
and ensuring all legal requirements relating to that provision are met.

Other subcommittees may be set up if necessary. However there can't be
subcommittees for everything. There are many areas where we also need
help but where a subcommittee may not be the best way to do this
(particularly things that mainly happen only near to and during
Autscape). Please let us know if you'd like to volunteer in any of these
areas:

-AV tech
-Transport
-Site management (answering questions and sorting out problems during
Autscape itself)

or if there is anything else you think you could help with.

The Autscape Management Committee

If you would fly me all the way there I would be interested in the AV - I've worked AV before in several large churches

AUTSCAPE 2008: Inertia and Action

29 July - 1 August, 2008
Giggleswick, Settle, UK

Proposal submissions now being accepted.
Deadline for submissions: 11 April, 2008

Please see this webpage for more information:
http://www.autscape.org/proposals/
or e-mail: [email protected]


WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are now accepting proposals for seminars and workshops to be
presented at Autscape 2008. Proposals for poster presentations,
leisure group leaders, videos, leaders for structured or semi-
structured evening discussions, and other ideas will be sought in the
near future.


THEME:

The theme for this year's Autscape is "INERTIA AND ACTION".
Presentations which conform to the theme will be given priority.

A common dictionary definition of "Inertia" is the tendency to stay
in the same situation if noone or nothing intervenes. Often autistic
people find we get 'stuck' on one thought pattern, activity or focus
so it's hard to get started on things or changing from one thing to
another -- sometimes we call this 'intertia'. Difficulty dealing with
change may also be related to inertia. Lack of motivation and
depression may make matters worse.

To many autistic people "Action" is an important countermeasure to
inertia. Action as the ability to move on, get things done, or change
status quo. This can be in every aspect of our lives: daily life
activities and tasks, social relationships, physical, creative or
political action and more.

We wish to explore these key concepts of autistic being in many
different fashions. This can be through formal presentations or
workshops, and may be theoretical or practical. Many different types
of input are welcome: traditional lectures, creative expression,
physical activity, interactive workshops and more.


AUDIENCE:

Although we welcome non-autistic professionals and family members,
the aim of this event is primarily for autistic people, not about us!
Workshops geared towards parents and professionals may be accepted,
but must be positive in their support for autistic people and their
right to be different.


EXAMPLES:

For some examples of what has been presented at Autscape in the past,
see Autscape programmes from previous years at: http://
www.autscape.org/. We are also likely to enjoy similar workshops to
those that have been presented at Autreat, in the USA. http://
www.ani.ac/


NON-VERBAL WORKSHOPS:

Although many of the autistic people who are attracted to an event
such as Autscape are highly verbal, others may have difficulty with
an event so centered around language. However, we want to welcome and
fully include all kinds of autistic people, including less 'wordy'
ones. We are also seeking workshops which are not primarily focused
on the spoken word. (Presenters
may still use speech; it is just not the main content of this type of
workshop.) Examples: dance, relaxation, music, art, construction of
some kind. These workshops are different from casual leisure sessions
in that they have more structure, preparation (from the presenter),
relevance to autism and the event's theme, and duration.


A FEW NOTES OF CAUTION:

- CURES: Workshops about curing or preventing autism are likely not
to go over well at all and are best avoided altogether, unless it is
from an advocacy standpoint.

- PROBLEMS: The problems of non-autistics coping with autistic people
could inadvertently reinforce negative attitudes.

- PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: We all have personal experience of autism. If
your presentation is primarily based on your personal experience,
think carefully about its relevance here; the story needs to be one
which can help attendees to find new understanding of their own
situation. Please let us know what you're hoping those present will
gain from your presentation.

- SUITABILITY: Every workshop, no matter who it is targeted towards,
should be suitable for autistic people to attend without feeling
objectified or put down.


WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM YOU?

- ATTENDANCE: If you submit a proposal, we do expect you to be there!
Please be prepared to attend Autscape and give your presentation on
the day and time scheduled. If you choose not to attend Autscape for
the whole 3 days we will do our best to fit the schedule around your
needs.

Travel is the responsibility of each individual presenter. We cannot
subsidise travel or off-site expenses for anyone. If your proposal is
accepted, we will send you a formal letter of invitation if this will
help you to secure your own funding.

- DISCUSSION GROUPS: Presenters may be expected to run an evening or
afternoon discussion group on their topic, for those who would like
to explore the issue further. If you may have problems with this, we
will try to find a volunteer to help you.

- AN ARTICLE: We would like an article about your presentation for
inclusion in a proceedings booklet to be prepared and printed at a
later date. This booklet will be sold to raise funds for Autscape.

- PRESENTATION MATERIALS: Please send copies of any handouts and
computer presentations (e.g. powerpoint) ahead of time. These will be
made available for download by Autscape participants and printing for
those who require it.

- RECORDING: Please allow us to video or otherwise record your
presentation. These records may be made available to others by
Autscape. If you submit a proposal we will assume you are happy with
these expectations. If you have any questions or objections, please
let us know so we can discuss it.


WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM US?

- ATTENDANCE: Presenters will be accommodated on-site for the day of
their presentation including the night before or after. Only one
place can be subsidised for each presentation, regardless of the
number of presenters. We cannot subsidise any other attendees,
including carers or assistants for presenters. Unfortunately, due to
the funding situation we cannot offer free attendance at all of
Autscape this year.

- PARTICIPATION: Whenever you are not presenting you can enjoy the
event, including other workshops and the setting, just as any other
participant.

- INVOLVEMENT: One thing you can expect by joining us is the
opportunity to shape an emerging self-advocacy event and autistic
community. There will be opportunities at the event to get involved
in the future of Autscape.

- AUDIENCE: A rare opportunity to be heard by a significant number of
autistic people. A chance to have some influence and get some
feedback from the people who matter most in the field of autism.

- ADJUSTMENTS: We realise that most of our presenters are autistic
and presenting to an audience can be stressful. We will do what we
can to make it as easy as possible for you to present to us. We will
ask you about your specific needs if your proposal is accepted. In
the past, presenters have had assistance with: writing, taking
written or spoken questions from the audience, time keeping,
transcribing the presentation to computer projector, etc.


SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL

If possible, please submit your proposal online at: http://
www.autscape.org/proposals/
If you prefer to send the following information by e-mail to:
[email protected] or post to:

Autscape
4 Falcon Street
London
E13 8DE
UK

Please include:

CONTACT INFORMATION

Name
E-mail and/or postal address and/or phone number
Country

INFORMATION FOR PROGRAMME (website and printed)

Name/alias
Bio (summary of presenter & relevant experience)
Presentation title
Presentation summary

INFORMATION FOR DECISION MAKERS

Presenter's experience
Type of presentation (lecture, interactive workshop, practical workshop)
How does your presentation fit the theme 'inertia and action'?
Detailed description of presentation

Thank you for your proposal.
Don't forget the deadline: 11 April, 2008

So whats this autscape all about?

i know someone going from new zealand

haha

must be good no....


is there web camera live interviews?

lol

is it going to be um... screened via internet

what a wonderful international event it would become