NADSP Annual Conference - Call for Session Proposals 2023

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Welcome!

2023 Conference Overview:

The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals Annual Conference will return September 8-9, 2023 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square. For the first time since 2019, NADSP will host a two day in person conference. With three keynote presentations, three pre-conference sessions and twenty robust breakout sessions, we have packed the two days with more opportunities to celebrate, connect and share the leading developments affecting the direct support workforce.

For the first time ever, NADSP wants to invite you to help us build this momentous event. We are now accepting proposals for presentations at the NADSP Sixth Annual Conference. The goal of our conference is to provide national recognition and celebration to direct support professionals (DSPs), while offering the chance to learn, network and collaborate. This conference also provides the opportunity for us to celebrate the kickoff of National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. During the conference, we will award the John F. Kennedy Jr. Award for Direct Support Workforce Advocacy & Leadership and the Hingsburger Humanitarian Award.

Guidelines for Submission:

We invite you to submit a proposal for a session presentation to be offered at our 2023 conference. We encourage innovative and creative presentations that are grounded and aligned with the NADSP Code of Ethics and Competencies. As part of NADSP's commitment to amplify and celebrate diverse voices in the workforce, we encourage individuals who have been historically marginalized to submit speaking proposals. Marginalized populations are groups and communities that experience discrimination and exclusion (social, political and economic) because of unequal power relationships across economic, political, social and cultural dimensions.

How does it work?
- Complete the application questionnaire on the following pages. This application must be fully completed for consideration. The application will allow you to save and return to the application if it is not complete.
- Submitted applications that do not have all required information will not be considered for the NADSP Annual Conference.
- There are limited spaces available for conference sessions. These 50-minute sessions will provide opportunities for knowledge transfer, skills development and collaborative learning related to empowering the direct support community. We encourage you to be creative, innovative, and interactive with your session idea.
- To be considered for the NADSP Annual Conference, please note that all session presenters must be in person at the event.
If your idea is selected:

All presenters will be required to participate in at least one 45-minute prep call prior to the conference.
Everyone presenting during your session will be required to register as a presenter. NADSP does not cover lodging or travel for session presenters. NADSP will provide a discount to all presenters selected to present at the NADSP Annual Conference.

Conclusion:

The NADSP Staff will review all workshop proposals. Because we anticipate far more proposals than available workshop sessions, please note that we may reach out to some of you for additional information and/or a brief interview. Some proposals that are not chosen may be considered for additional NADSP events. The deadline for submitting proposals is Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 9:00 pm ET. Late applications will not be considered for the NADSP Annual Conference.

The NADSP Staff will notify you of the status of your proposal on or before April 14, 2023.

Point of Contact:

For additional information or technical assistance with submitting this form, please contact Nicole Dama, NADSP Office and Communications Manager at ndama@nadsp.org or at 518-605-7160.

To Apply:

Click on the "next" button to complete the following questionnaire.

Session Lead Contact Information
In an effort to streamline communication, this lead will be your liasion between NADSP and your presentation group.
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Pronouns*
Organization*
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Zip CodeCountry
Phone Number*
E-mail*
example@example.com
For additional information or technical assistance with submitting this form, please contact Nicole Dama, NADSP Office and Communications Manager at ndama@nadsp.org or at 518-605-7160.

Presenter # 1 Contact information

Please use the following pages to provide information on the presenters in your session. If the number of presenters exceeds four, please email ndama@nadsp.org.
Presenter 1 Full Name*
Presenter 1 Email Address*
Presenter 1 Phone*
Presenter 1 Pronouns
Presenter 1 Title*
Presenter 1 Organization or Affiliation*
Presenter 1 Experience (What conference sessions, presentations, and/or classes have you led in the past?)*
LinkedIn Profile
Are you a member of a historically marginalized group?

YesNoI do not want to shareOther
Are you an NADSP Member?

YesNo
Presenter 1 biography (word file format) to be published in conference materials (up to 100 words)*

0/100
Presenter 1 Please upload a high resolution photo for conference materials in a JPEG or PNG file format.*

Cancelof
Do you have any additonal presenters?*

YesNo

Presenter # 2 Contact Information

Please use the following pages to provide information on the presenters in your session. If the number of presenters exceeds four, please email ndama@nadsp.org.
Presenter 2 Full Name*
Presenter 2 Email Address*
Presenter 2 Phone*
Presnter 2 Pronouns*
Presenter 2 Title*
Presenter 2 Organization or Affiliation*
Presenter 2 Experience (What conference sessions, presentations, and/or classes have you led in the past?)*
Presenter 2 LinkedIn Profile
Are you a member of a historically marginalized group?*

YesNoI do not want to shareOther
Are you an NADSP Member?*

YesNo
Presenter 2 Please provide a concise biography to be published in conference materials (up to 100 words)*

0/100
Presenter 2 Please upload a high resolution photo for conference materials in a JPEG or PNG for file format.*

Cancelof
Do you have any additonal presenters?*

YesNo

Presenter # 3 Contact Information

Please use the following pages to provide information on the presenters in your session. If the number of presenters exceeds four, please email ndama@nadsp.org.
Presenter 3 Full Name*
Presenter 3 Email Address*
Presenter 3 Phone*
Presenter 3 Pronouns*
Presenter 3 Title*
Presenter 3 Organization or Affiliation*
Presenter 3 Experience (What conference sessions, presentations, and/or classes have you led in the past?)*
Presenter 3 LinkedIn Profile
Are you a member of a historically marginalized group?*

YesNoI do not want to shareOther
Are you an NADSP Member?*

YesNo
Presenter 3 Please provide a concise biography to be published in conference materials (up to 100 words)*

0/100
Presenter 3 Photo Please upload a high resolution photo for conference materials in a JPEG or PNG file format.*

Cancelof
Do you have any additonal presenters?*

YesNo

Presenter # 4 Contact Information

Please use the following pages to provide information on the presenters in your session. If the number of presenters exceeds four, please email ndama@nadsp.org.
Presenter 4 Full Name*
Presenter 4 Email Address*
Presenter 4 Phone*
Presenter 4 Pronouns*
Presenter 4 Title*
Presenter 4 Organization or Affiliation*
Presenter 4 Experience (What conference sessions, presentations, and/or classes have you led in the past?)*
Presenter 4 LinkedIn Profile
Are you a member of a historically marginalized group?*

YesNoI do not want to shareOther
Are you an NADSP Member?*

YesNo
Presenter 4 Please provide a concise biography to be published in conference materials (up to 100 words)*

0/100
Presenter 4 Please upload a high resolution photo for conference materials in a JPEG or PNG file format.*

Cancelof

Proposed Session Title:

Session titles are like newspaper headlines; they should clearly illustrate your idea. Your workshop title describes the attributes of attending and summarizes the main point of your session.

Important Tips:
- Consider writing the title after identifying the workshop description/summary and learning objectives.
- Keep your proposed workshop title short (10 words or less).
What is your proposed workshop title (this will appear in the agenda for the conference). Titles may be edited.*
Session Description/Summary of Your Proposed Idea:

The workshop description provides an overview of the session. Good descriptions raise interest and generate excitement about the session. To write an engaging workshop description with 200 words or less, remember, the best proposals are clear, concise and easy to read and understand.

Important Tips:
- Before getting started, consider preparing a list of the benefits of attending the session you are proposing.
- Narrow the description to one paragraph and focus on three important points. The description should be aligned with one or more of the NADSP Code of Ethics and/or Competencies
- Always define any acronym at first reference.
- Stick to the length limit (200 words or less). It is important to let attendees know if a certain level of knowledge or experience is required. Example: “This session is open to all but best suited for Foundation Executives.”
- This serves as a reminder that voices from cross section roles can diversify and expand the presentations.
- And finally, keep it simple
We are looking specifically for content that is related to best practices in direct support. Our platform will be set on a theme of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Some of the particular areas we will consider;
- Using the NADSP Code of Ethics
- Incorporating the NADSP Competencies in daily direct support practice
- Person Centered direct support practices
- Trauma informed support and care
- Mental health and self-care for direct support professionals
- Using adaptive equipment and latest developments in using adaptive equipment
- How to improve documentation as a direct support professional
- Using and practicing informed decision making
- Direct support experiences during the pandemic
- Employment support practices
- Supporting spirituality for direct support professionals
- LGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities (the role of the direct support professional)
- Career ladders for direct support professionals
- Frontline Supervisor best practices for developing direct support professionals
Session Learning Objectives:

A learning objective establishes what session attendees should be familiar with or able to do by the end of the session. Please prepare up to three (3) learning objectives.

Important Tips:
- A learning objective makes clear the intended learning outcome.
- Valuable learning objectives focus on the application and integration of the knowledge and skills attained.
What are up to three (3) learning objectives you have for the sessions?*

0/150
Target attendees (please select the audiences that would find this session relevant and useful):*

DSPsSelf AdvocatesFLSExecutivesCliniciansFamily MembersOther
Session Description/Summary Description (200 words max - this will appear in the agenda for the conference) Session Descriptions are subject to edits from NADSP. *

0/200
What are two next steps that you would like to result from this session?*

Proposed Session Format:

Please select your preferred workshop format from the dropdown menu. If your session looks different to these formats, please select "Other." If your session Below, please find brief descriptions for each suggested format option:

Demonstration:

A demonstration format explains how to do something or how something works with the use of visual aids or objects.

Panel Discussion:

The panel format usually involves up to five panelists (including the moderator) commenting on a specific topic or issue in a discussion led by a moderator.

Ignite Presentation:

Ignite presentations use 20 PowerPoint slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds for a total presentation time of just 5 minutes. Ignite slides tend to incorporate excellence in slide design in support of a very clearly articulated message.
- Important Note: What does an Ignite session look like? Ignite presentations will be grouped into sets on a common general theme, such as ‘education, health, criminal justice, or a new methodology, etc. During the session, a moderator briefly introduces each presentation and the presentations are given in rapid succession, one following another. At the end, time is set aside for connecting with individual presenters, but there is not a formal question and answer portion of the session. With some presentations akin to a performance, and recognizing that for many the format is a new one, audiences often applaud and support those who rise to the occasion.
Storytelling:

Storytelling is a popular concept in data analysis. Share various communication tools (video, social media, blogs, etc.) used for delivering data and information that is creative, persuasive and innovative.

The World Café:

The "World Café" is a structured conversational process intended to facilitate open and intimate discussion, and link ideas within a larger group to access the "collective intelligence" or collective wisdom in the room.
What is your preferred session format? Choose one.*

Session Logistics:
Audio, Visual and Technology Needs (let us know what equipment you will need, if any)*
Will you require any require any reasonable accommodations for your session?
For additional information or technical assistance with submitting this form, please contact Nicole Dama, NADSP Office and Communications Manager at ndama@nadsp.org or at 518-605-7160.The NADSP may be contact you for additional information. NADSP will contact the lead on all proposals by Friday, April 14, 2023 regarding the status of your proposal.

Thank you!
Should be Empty:

Welcome!