“This was my first time attending OCALICON. It was a fabulous experience. As a related service provider who typically attends professional-specific conferences, this was refreshing to see various aspects and perspectives (other professionals, parents, persons and disabilities).”
Below are the Proposal Submission Requirements. We strongly suggest you first write your proposal in an offline format prior to submitting it through the online system.
Please Note: The proposal form does not auto save. Be prepared to complete and submit the entire form in one setting. Your login will time out after 60 minutes of inactivity.
PART 1: REQUIRED CREDENTIALS
Returning submitters will be prompted to review and update his/her profile, bio, and CV/resume before submitting a 2020 proposal.
New submitters will need to create an OCALI Pass account and enter the requested information.
Once updated, click Submit a Proposal to continue to the proposal form.
OCALI Pass Account
Create or log in to your existing OCALI Pass account. Email is OCALI’s primary communications tool, so please enter a current and frequently checked email address.
Bio
A presenter bio must be submitted in third-person language and in paragraph form. It should include professional highlights and milestones such as education, background, publications, and prior presentations. The bio will be published online and in the OCALICON guidebook and is subject to edits at the discretion of the review committee. Character Limits: Maximum of 600 characters (includes spaces), approximately 100 words
Sample Bio:
Amy Bixler Coffin, M.S., is program director of the Autism Center at OCALI. A special educator for 24 years, Coffin has served as an intervention specialist, low-incidence supervisor, director of special education, and autism program director. She currently coordinates and provides regional and statewide professional development for districts, families, and organizations. Coffin has presented at state, national, and international conferences, contributed to several articles and book chapters, and has authored a book on supporting individuals with ASD in the community.
Note: Each candidate must individually submit his/her own bio. Please do not combine the bios of candidate co-presenters.
Curriculum Vita (CV)/Resume
A CV or resume of professional work – including but not limited to job titles/descriptions, credentials or licensure, education/degrees, publications, presentations, professional organizations/affiliations, etc. – must be submitted as a PDF document. CVs/resumes are used by OCALI to obtain Continuing Education Units (CEUs). An abbreviated version is acceptable.
Note: Each candidate must individually submit his/her own CV/resume. Please do not combine the CV/resumes of multiple candidate co-presenters.
PART 2: PROPOSAL COMPONENTS
An overview of proposal components is provided below.
Session Type
Select one session type.
Note: The OCALICON review committee seeks a balance of content and session types and will select a limited number of each session type for the final program. The session type of an accepted proposal may be changed at the discretion of the review committee.
Number of Presenters
Please indicate the total number of presenters for your session. Note: The number of co-presenters varies by session type. Co-presenters are limited to those who will be present at OCALICON to contribute during the onsite presentation.
Co-presenters will need to add themselves to your proposal AFTER it has been submitted but BEFORE the proposal deadline of Tuesday, March 31, 2020 (deadline extended from March 25).
Session Title
The title is the “first impression” of your presentation and should reflect overall session content. Note: While creative session titles are welcome, candidates are strongly encouraged to make sure the session title accurately reflects the session content. Please spell out all the words in the title and do not use acronyms or abbreviations.
Character Limits: Maximum of 90 characters (includes spaces), approximately 10 words
Abstract
The abstract is the summary of session content. It should include the most important information, strategies, or practices that will be covered. The abstract will be published online and in the OCALICON guidebook and is subject to edits at the discretion of the review committee. Note: Candidates are strongly encouraged to make sure that the session abstract accurately reflects the session topic and content to be presented or facilitated.
Character Limits: Maximum of 600 characters (includes spaces), approximately 100 words
Objectives
Include 3-5 session objectives that indicate a gained practical knowledge and complete the following statement:
“At the end of the session, participants will be able to...”
Character Limits: Maximum of 200 characters per objective (including spaces), approximately 30 words
Level
Select one session level.
Primary and Secondary Topic Areas
Select one primary topic area which best characterizes the overall session content. Select up to two additional secondary topic areas.
Population Target
Select all population targets that apply.
Targeted Audiences
Select up to 5 targeted audiences to which your content is most focused, relevant, or beneficial.
Targeted Ages
Select all targeted ages that apply.
Session Description
Complete each of the below areas in as much detail as possible.
This information allows reviewers to better understand and evaluate the proposal. Vague or insufficient responses will receive a lower score.
Character limits for EACH numbered response below: Minimum of 100 characters (includes spaces), approximately 15 words; maximum of 2,000 characters (includes spaces), approximately 250 words
1. Provide a thorough description of the topic, method, and/or content.
2. In one sentence, summarize the main point you want attendees to take from this session.
3. What specific examples will you highlight in this session?
4. Specify the research, foundational practices, or innovative strategies that support this session.
5. Describe the significance and timeliness to the field. Why is this information important at this time?
6. What have you learned as a result of implementing the ideas and concepts included in this proposal? Include results or data collected, if applicable.
7. Describe the intended outcome or benefit your session would provide. How might the methods, ideas, and strategies be transferable and applicable to attendees’ work or setting?
8. Explain why the selected session type is the best fit for your content, intended interaction style, and audience.
For example, if you are submitting a facilitated discussion, share a few of the questions you will use to engage the audience. For a learning lab session, explain why it is beneficial for each person to have a device at their fingertips. Or for a hands-on interactive session, describe the manner in which participants are involved and engaged in an activity.
9. How will your presentation method allow for audience engagement, learning, and application?
10. What specific experience or expertise qualifies you and your co-presenters to present or facilitate this session?
This is not a repeat of presenter bios, rather an explanation of why you are submitting this proposal. Take advantage of this space to share details about your collective qualifications, provide examples of how you have applied these practices together, and/or why you and your co-presenters are best suited to talk about this content. For example, in a panel session, what are the unique perspectives each of the four panelists will contribute to the session?
Submission Deadline
11:59 pm EDT | Tuesday, March 31, 2020 (deadline extended from March 25). Late proposals will not be accepted.