• January 12, 2015: Submit proposals electronically at www.communityinclusion.org/apse  by 5pm eastern. Receipt of proposal will be emailed to lead presenter upon submission. Notify us within 24 hours if you do not receive an email confirmation. It is your responsibility to re-submit or contact the APSE office at 301-279-0060.
• March 2015: Selection notification (accepted, wait listed, or not accepted) will be sent to lead presenters by mid-March via the email listed in your submission. Status of your proposal will not be available.
• May 15, 2015: Conference registration for presenters must be received by May 15^th to avoid cancellation of your session.

We listened! APSE has made changes in the session formats this year. We are continuing with our popular "APSE Talks" from last year and have added more Open Discussion sessions. We will also be offering fewer simultaneous sessions at the conference. While this means there may be fewer opportunities to present longer sessions, we have made other formats more substantive. We continue to make every effort to include as many people as possible on the conference program.  APSE is strongly encouraging presentations that are innovative in both content and presentation format, and use an array of methods for sharing information and promoting learning.

 Please read the following descriptions carefully and apply for the format most appropriate to your presentation.

Open Discussions (90 minutes): Unlike a typical breakout session where the presenters are all experts on a topic and make a structured presentation, an open discussion is facilitated by one or more discussion leaders on a specific topic important to the field of integrated employment. The room monitor will provide cards to participants as they enter the session to write down questions that will be shared with the discussion leader. There will be no PowerPoint - just a willingness to engage participants in an open and educational discussion.  Proposals must include the topic to be discussed, learning objectives, how the discussion will be structured, and how the discussion leader(s) will engage the participants.

Breakout Sessions (90 minutes): Breakout sessions provide participants an opportunity to engage with the presenters and each other in learning about the session topic and how to apply it in their own work. These sessions should begin with a brief framing of an issue, theory, model, or process and include data, practical examples, and evidence that you and the participants can then use to examine and discuss the topic. Sessions will be led by one or more presenters using audience participation and interactive activities as the primary mechanism for sharing information and learning. We encourage moderated panel discussions where the moderator poses questions to the panel and audience members. Proposals must include a content outline, learning objectives and interactive exercises.

"APSE Talks" (10-12 minutes):  Back by popular demand! "APSE Talks" 

What's Your Squawkers McCaw? Creative Workplace Accommodations - Bev Harp

follow the model of the TED Talks (www.ted.com) - the slogan for TED Talks is "Ideas Worth Spreading". "APSE Talks" are concise, well-prepared, light on presentation slides (from no slides to no more than 3-4 slides), and delivered with "style". The goal is to deliver one idea, clearly and persuasively. Six 10 to 12 minute "APSE Talks" will be grouped into 90 minute sessions with a moderator. "APSE Talks" will be video-taped and posted on the APSE website. This feature was quite a success last year! 

Supported Decision Making A Call to Action - Jonathan Martinis

Encouraging Inclusion in the Media Jessica Walker

Poster Sessions: Poster sessions will help us kick off the 2015 APSE conference. Last year the poster sessions were overwhelmingly successful with over 20 participants. Consider sharing your great work and best practices in an informal manner that fosters interaction with the audience in an exhibit area. Poster sessions will be held on the first night of the conference (June 23^rd) during the reception. Presenters will have a visual/graphic display that conveys the information being shared. We encourage attendees, university students, and APSE Chapter Board members to present research and state-of-the-art practices happening in your state! This is a great opportunity to share one-on-one with others! Proposals must include content outline and learning objectives.

Pre-conference Seminars (3 hours): Pre-conference seminars offer a broader, more in-depth view of a topic area, including a variety of professional viewpoints, areas, and/or levels. Presenters are encouraged to design presentations that promote attendee participation and impart skills and state-of-the-art practices that can be easily applied. Each preconference session is offered in three-hour time blocks on Monday June 22^nd. There are only six (6) pre-conference seminars offered. Proposals must include a content outline, learning objectives and interactive exercises.

Students for APSE Sessions (45 minutes): This year we are opening up proposals for Students for APSE, which will be held during the pre-conference on June 22^nd. The Students for APSE track offers lively, entertaining and engaging activities for the day that focus on sharing resources and building enthusiasm for getting a job! One or more presenters will lead interactive, hands-on sessions that involve the young adults in lively discussions focusing on integrated employment, self-determination, social media, leadership, public policy, and Social Security benefits. Proposals must include a content outline, learning objectives and interactive exercises.

NOTE: We strongly encourage the inclusion of individuals with disabilities, family members, employers and other stakeholders in presentations. Inclusion of diverse cultural perspectives and international perspectives are also encouraged.