Submit an Abstract

Call for Abstracts

Submission Deadline: January 15, 2010

Presentation Abstract Submission

Author Guidelines

Welcome to the online abstract submission program for the AER International Conference 2010 Featuring the Orientation & Mobility Division Conference Within a Conference!

The exciting international conference draws worldwide participation from experts in the field of visual impairment and blindness. You are invited to share your knowledge and experience with colleagues and come prepared to network!

The AER International Conference 2010 will be held July 20-25 in Little Rock at The Peabody Little Rock and the Statehouse Convention Center.

You are invited to submit abstracts for presentation on topics related to the 13 interest-specific AER Divisions or other topics relevant to the field of visual impairment and blindness.

· Administration
· Rehabilitation Counseling, Employment & BEP Services
· Multiple Disabilities and Deafblind
· Psychosocial Services
· Information & Technology
· Low Vision Rehabilitation
· Infant & Preschoool
· Orientation & Mobility
· Education Curriculum
· Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
· Aging
· Itinerant Personnel
· Personnel Preparation
· Other

General Conference Information

All presenters are required to register and pay the conference fee and have a registration badge. Presenters must attend the conference at their own expense. AER provides no honoraria or travel funds for the International Conference.

AER will provide breakout rooms with an LCD projector and screen as needed. Laptops and/or PCs will NOT be provided. Be prepared to indicate your audio visual needs in the submission process.

Session Abstract Proposal Information

Create a session abstract in Microsoft Word (or other word processing program) fully describing your proposed session. The session abstract is the primary item used by our education committees to rank and approve your session submission. Documents must be 225 words or less and should include:

· Title
· Presenters
· A full description of your proposed educational presentation including major areas (practices, techniques, etc.) that will be discussed and the information you will be sharing in these areas, conclusions drawn, recommendations made, etc.
· If applicable, include information on your research methodology and/or any formal or informal outcomes obtained.

Also prepare presenter biographical information in a word processing program for submission as an attachment.

Submit your session abstract online by selecting the preferred session length and then responding to several administrative questions on your proposed session, e.g. long and short session title, presenter list and contact info, objectives, etc.

You will choose one of four session types when submitting your presentation abstract – 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or poster.

As part of your submission, you are asked to provide three objectives. These are used to obtain continuing education credit for your session. For example, objectives might begin with “This presentation will show attendees how to…” and you would list three major points you wish to get across to the audience.

Finally, you will attach (upload) two items, the session abstract document you created and biographical information on all presenters. You will then view the submission and approve it to complete the process. Note that if you wish to edit either of the documents that you upload, you will need to remove them, make your changes, then upload them again.

Level of Presentation

Identify the level of presentation based on the experience and knowledge of the expected audience.

Fundamental sessions require minimal knowledge of the topic material by conference delegates and should emphasize the basics and key concepts. The approach should include "who, what, when, where, why and how." Intended for all audiences.

Intermediate sessions require some experience and basic knowledge in the topic areas. The session should build on the basics and include more advanced strategies or concepts and how an approach or method works. Intended for vision professionals with some experience.

Advanced sessions require that subject matter be fairly complex and focus on new information or practices incorporating basics including some research methodology or formal and/or informal outcomes. Intended for audiences with advanced degrees and/or certifications.

Submission Tips

1. Submit your session abstract prior to the December 31, 2009, deadline.

2. In this system, the term “Author” is used for those who wish to submit a session abstract. The primary presenter is referred to as Corresponding Author.

3. Make sure your title is succinct and descriptive. You will supply a long title of up to 30 words and short title of up to 10 words for your presentation. Use the same title for both if it is under 10 words.

4. Contact all your co-presenters prior to your submission to secure their commitment. Be prepared to submit their names and contact information during the submission process. Up to 10 authors may be included with the abstract. Under the Additional Information section, you are asked to supply information on all those who contribute to the presentation, whether or not they will be co-presenters.

5. At the beginning of the submission process you will provide a 50-word “Abstract” of your Session Abstract – this description will be used in the conference program. At the end, you will attach your full abstract as a Word or text document limited to 225 words per abstract. For any submission over 225 words, the abstract will not be considered for review and will be returned to submitter for correction.

6. Select one topic area for your presentation in the Classifications section which refers to the 13 AER Divisions (special interest groups) in our professional community. Select the division topic most closely related to your session’s content. A division education committee will review, rank and approve your abstract submission for presentation at the AER International Conference 2010. Abstracts may be reclassified at the discretion of the Program and Education Committees.

7. Do not submit images or picture files with your abstract.

8. You will also attach biographical information on yourself and all co-presenters which will be used for introductions at the conference.

9. Before logging in to Editorial Manager to submit your session abstract, have all materials ready – long and short session title, author (presenter) list and contact info, decision on session level, short description of the session abstract, topic area, three objectives, biographical information, and the full session abstract description.

Handout material

Handout material will be collected prior to the conference to be made available to all conference attendees on a CD Rom. AER will distribute no printed presentation material before or during the conference.

If a presenter chooses to bring handout material to the conference, the material must be available in the accessible formats of regular print, large print (at least 18 point font or larger) and braille. If all three of these formats are not made available, you will not be allowed to distribute your handout material. AER has information on a source where you can have your material brailled should you need this service.

We encourage all accepted presenters to send their presentation material to the AER office by June 1, 2010, so that it can be included on the registrant CD Rom.

Review Process

The AER International Conference 2010 Program Committee has designated committees based on the 13 special interest divisions which correspond to the Classifications to review the abstracts. They will determine acceptance based on content and available session times. Abstracts may be reclassified at the discretion of the Program and Education Committees. Acceptance/Rejection of abstract notification will be sent to all lead authors the end of February.

Additional Information

Should you have questions about submitting an abstract, please contact Bette Anne Preston, betteanne@aerbvi.org, at AER, (877) 492-2708, ext. 201.