Disability Now!

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  • Disability Now! Conference

    Hello World!

    Welcome to the submission page for Disability Now! – A University of Southampton & Community Conference.
    Thank you for your interest in contributing to this collaborative, inclusive, and community-centred event. We are delighted to welcome academic, professional, community, lived-experience, charity, student, and practitioner voices.

    Please read the guidance below before submitting your presentation.

    ✨ What We Are Looking For

    We welcome contributions that explore disability, accessibility, inclusion, and justice from any perspective, including (but not limited to):

    • Lived experience narratives
    • Community and grassroots work
    • Academic or research papers
    • Case studies from organisations
    • Creative, arts-based, or practice-based contributions
    • Policy, advocacy, and support initiatives
    • Technology, accessibility, and inclusive learning practices

    Presentations should align with the ethos of the conference: compassion, equity, accessibility, partnership, and being community-led.

    🕒 Presentation Format

    To ensure an inclusive experience and to accommodate all contributors, each presentation slot is:

    • 10 minutes presentation
    • 5 minutes Q&A

    We will be providing timekeeping cards and gentle audio cues to support accessibility and help maintain the flow of the programme.

    📄 Submission Requirements

    Please submit the following:

    1. Title of Presentation

    Short, clear, and reflective of your contribution.

    2. 150–200 Word Abstract

    Your abstract should briefly outline:

    • The focus or story you wish to share
    • The context and purpose
    • Key themes, insights, or contributions
    • Why this matters to disability inclusion/justice

    We welcome abstracts written in plain English or in academic/professional formats—whatever best suits your work and identity.

    3. Presenter Details

    Please include:

    • Name(s)
    • Pronouns (optional)
    • Organisation or affiliation
    • Email address
    • Whether you will present in person or online

    4. Accessibility Needs

    Please tell us anything we need to know to ensure you can participate fully (e.g., captions, BSL, mobility support, sensory adjustments, timings, etc.).

    🎤 Accessible Presentation Expectations

    To help us create a safe, kind, and inclusive event, we ask all presenters to:

    • Use microphones at all times
    • Audio describe images, charts, or visual content
    • Face the audience when speaking
    • Speak clearly and at a measured pace
    • Allow pauses for processing
    • Create space for diverse forms of participation
    • Show compassion, patience, and curiosity

    We celebrate all communication styles. Stimming, taking breaks, stepping out, and alternative forms of participation are welcome.

    📤 How to Submit

    Please email your completed submission to:

    📧 [Insert Email Address]

    with the subject line: Disability Now! Conference Submission

    If you are submitting on behalf of a team, please list all presenters.

    📅 Submission Deadline

    [Insert deadline date]

    Notifications will be sent within two weeks of the closing date.

    🖥️ Accessibility and Format of the Event

    • The event will run using Microsoft Teams with PowerPoint Live, enabling:
      • Live captions
      • Slide navigation
      • Colour inversion
      • High contrast mode
      • Simultaneous translation
    • All rooms have hearing loops or portable accessibility equipment.
    • We aim to record sessions (with permission) so that voices are not lost.

    🤝 A Brave, Safe, and Kind Space

    We are committed to fostering a space based on:

    • Community
    • Respect
    • Kindness
    • Listening
    • Inclusion
    • Shared learning

    Every voice matters, and we ask all contributors to help uphold this environment.

    Questions?

    If you would like to discuss your idea or need support writing your abstract, please get in touch:

    📧 [Insert contact email]

    We are very happy to help.

    The Microsoft CMT service was used for managing the peer-reviewing process for this conference. This service was provided for free by Microsoft and they bore all expenses, including costs for Azure cloud services as well as for software development and support