The Many Cultures Of Disability
2003 Annual Southwest Conference On Disability

October 1 – 3, 2003

Wyndham Sunport Hotel
Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico     NM Department of Health                    

The Southwest Conference on Disability is a forum to encourage dialogue and interaction among disability researchers; people with disabilities; family members; service providers; staff of federal, state and local government agencies; students and disability advocates.  Each year, we come together to learn from each other, share ideas, and discuss and debate current policies and issues concerning disability.

The Southwest Conference on Disability is a fragrance-free event. In consideration of those with environmental and chemical sensitivities, please refrain from using perfumes, colognes or other fragrances during the conference.

2003 Annual Southwest Conference On Disability

October 1–3, 2003

Albuquerque Wyndham Sunport Hotel

Albuquerque, New Mexico

On October 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2003, people with disabilities; researchers; family members; service providers; disability advocates; staff of federal, state and local government agencies and students from New Mexico, the southwest and the nation will come together in Albuquerque to find common ground. We will learn from each other, share ideas and the latest research findings and discuss and debate current policies and issues concerning disability. The conference is a forum to encourage dialogue and interaction as we search for what brings us together, not what divides us. This year we celebrate the many cultures of disability. The theme encourages participants to explore cultural and lifestyle aspects of disability, the impact of culture on disability, and the changing culture of disability over time.  These and other topics will be addressed from many perspectives, including research, advocacy, policy, and personal perspectives. We invite your participation!

Presentation Formats

Breakout Sessions

These seventy-five minute traditional presentations highlight new or emerging research findings, a promising new program or policy, or explore a topic from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Roundtables

Roundtables are seventy-five minute moderated, semi-structured sessions that avoid lengthy formal presentations and focus on moderated discussion and debate. Presenters at policy roundtables frame the issues to be discussed and lead the discussion and debate.

Interactive Workshops

Interactive Workshops are hands-on learning opportunities focused on a particular topical area or need. Presenters are responsible for providing any training materials they wish to distribute to participants.

Poster

Participants in the poster session share the results of research or promising innovative programs or projects. Presenters are responsible for preparing material for the posterboard and remaining by their poster during the session.

Submission Process

All proposals must be submitted by June 1st, 2003.

Proposals must be submitted electronically via e-mail (e-mail attachment or as part of the body of the e-mail) or by regular mail (3.5” disk) in Word or Rich Text Format (RTF).

Proposals must include:

1.       Title;

2.      Preference for presentation format;

3.       List of presenters and affiliation for each, with lead presenter/moderator first;

4.      Information for contact person including address, telephone, e-mail address and fax number; and

5.      An abstract of no more than 100 words. Abstracts of accepted proposals will be used in the conference program as they were submitted; please edit and proofread abstracts before submission. Multiple proposals should be submitted separately.

Notification of acceptance will be sent to contact persons no later than July 1st, 2003.

Because the goal of the conference is to bring together people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to share their knowledge, presenters are asked to target their presentations at a general audience and avoid highly specialized jargon.

All presenters must register for the conference no later than August 1st, 2003 to be included in the conference program.

Proposals should be sent to:

Anthony G. Cahill
Center for Development and Disability
2300 Menaul Boulevard NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
[email protected] 

Enjoy The 32nd Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta!

The 2003 Southwest Conference on Disability ends on Friday afternoon, and early Saturday morning nearly eight hundred hot air balloons from around the world will lift off from the banks of the Rio Grande in a mass ascension to open the 32nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Stay the weekend (or a little longer) and enjoy one of the world’s most spectacular sights!

Each year, over one hundred thousand visitors from around the world watch early morning mass ascensions, enjoy a traditional breakfast burrito, stroll on Balloon Fiesta Field after dark to watch balloon glows, and see special shape ascensions.

Visitors can stroll among the balloons as they’re preparing to lift off, and are often asked to help out by balloon crews!  Spectacular fireworks displays are offered on many evenings.   

The conference hotel will honor conference rates for participants who stay after the conference for the Fiesta (see registration form). Because hotel space is at a premium during this time, please book your hotel room early if you plan on staying for the Fiesta!

Additional information about the fiesta is available on the fiesta web site: www.balloonfiesta.com

Call For Nominations For Conference Awards

Each year, individuals who have made outstanding contributions to aspects of disability are recognized for their accomplishments.  We invite nominations for these awards.

The David J. Jackson Distinguished Research Award recognizes outstanding disability-related research over time, or an exceptional single research contribution to the field of disability studies.

The Justin Dart Disability Advocacy Award recognizes an individual who has, through outstanding and sustained advocacy efforts, contributed to improving the lives of people with disabilities.

The Charlotte Toulouse Award For Contributions To Communication Between People With Disabilities and Disability Researchers recognizes significant contributions to encouraging communication and building bridges between people with disabilities and disability researchers.

The Outstanding Student Researcher Award recognizes significant disability-related research completed by a student in a New Mexico college or university within the past two years. The award is accompanied by a $500 scholarship and a full scholarship to attend the conference.

The Outstanding Student Award recognizes a New Mexican student with a disability who is enrolled in an institution of higher learning or is a senior in high school preparing to  attend college. The award is accompanied by a $500 scholarship and a full scholarship to attend the conference.

The Community Involvement Award is given to a business that has made a positive difference in the quality of life of people with disabilities through employment, programs, access or community involvement. 

Nominations should include the name and contact information for both the nominee and the nominator; the award category; a brief statement describing how the nominee meets the criteria; and the names and contact information of at least two individuals who can speak to the nominee’s contributions.

Nominations should be sent to Anthony G. Cahill no later than August 1, 2003.  

Be An Exhibitor!

If your organization would like to reach people with disabilities, service providers, disability organizations, and government agencies involved with disability  throughout New Mexico, the Southwest and the nation, then consider becoming an exhibitor. 

Exhibitor fees includes a 6’ skirted table and chairs. See the conference registration form for more information and for prices.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs/CRCs)

Continuing education units have been applied for from a number of professional organizations. These organizations are listed on the registration form. If you would like to receive CEUs/CRCs for the conference, please check the appropriate box on the registration form. There is a $10 administrative fee for those wishing to receive CEUs/CRCs.

Conference Registration Information

Please use the registration form included in this mailing to register for the conference, or print the form from the web at www.cdd.unm.edu.  Click on “2003 Southwest Disability Conference”.

Checks, credit cards or purchase orders are accepted.

A limited number of conference scholarships are available for people with disabilities who live in New Mexico. Please see the registration form for details.