Call For Proposals - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outreach

Attention!
Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outreach

-----CALL FOR PROPOSALS------

Professional Conference March 7-8, 2013 & Family Conference March 8-10, 2013
Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton, WI

** PROPOSAL DEADLINE: AUGUST 1, 2012 **

The Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WESP-DHH) Outreach supports children who are deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind by providing a variety of services to students, families and staff, including the annual statewide conferences. The annual Professional Conference provides information and expertise pertaining to hearing loss for professionals who work with students who are hard of hearing, deaf, or deaf-blind. The annual Family Conference provides information and expertise pertaining to hearing loss for parents and extended family members who have children who are hard of hearing, deaf, or deaf-blind.

Offered the second week of March every year, a growing number of professionals attend the annual conference, including administrators, regular education teachers and support staff, Birth to 3 program staff, special education staff, teachers of the deaf, educational interpreters, school psychologists and case managers. During the Family Conference, a diverse grouping of families, including families whose first language is Spanish, Hmong and American Sign Language, attend to meet and network with other families, as well as to participate in informational/educational workshops pertaining to trends in deaf education or other topics relating to children with hearing loss. The workshops represent the spectrum of ages, birth-21.

For the 2013 conferences, we are accepting proposals that address the needs of students and/or their families who are hard of hearing, deaf, or deaf-blind. This year, we will focus on mental health and wellness, and technology. Each proposal submitted is reviewed for relevancy in terms of content, suggested audience and how it fits into our overall conference.

Proposals are for breakout sessions of 75 minutes each and should be geared to an audience of 50, either by two repeat sessions of 25 participants or one large session of 50 participants for the Professional Conference and for 75 minute single sessions for the Family Conference. Interactive and hands-on sessions are encouraged. Priority will be given to interactive presentations that focus on collaboration/partnerships and that provide "hands on" opportunity for application of content, but all topics will be considered. Past participants have communicated interest in the following areas: Mental Health Issues; Cochlear Implants; Deaf Children and Sensory Issues; Deaf Culture; Adaptive Technologies; Futures Planning for DHH Students Not Going to College; IEP Writing; Peer Groups for Mainstreamed DHH students; RTI and DHH Students; Training Hints and Tips on Personal and Classroom FM Systems; Cochlear Implants; Reading Comprehension Strategies; and Itinerant Tips and Tools.

Selected presenters attend the conference free of charge and are reimbursed round trip mileage or a stipend for travel, if traveling from out of state. If a presentation is the first session in the morning and the presenter lives more than two hours away, one night of accommodations the night prior to their presentation will also be provided. Parents and Deaf presenters are encouraged to apply!

To apply, complete the Presentation Proposal Form below by August 1, 2012
For any questions or more information, please contact:
Stefanie Kessen at stefanie.kessen@wesp-dhh.wi.gov

** Selected proposals will be notified by Sept.1, 2012.

Presentation Proposal Form

Name:

Title/Organization representing:

Address:

Telephone:

Cell Phone:

E-mail address:

Summer E-mail:

SESSION INFORMATION (Please fill out one per session)
Workshop Title:

Session Goal/Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

10.

Session Description Please write a paragraph about your presentation.

11.

Topic Area (check all that apply):

(1 required)

	Social/Emotional/Mental Health			Technology
	Incorporating Sign Language			Auditory Development
	DeafPlus/Deaf-blind			Literacy
	Teaming/Roles/Collaboration/Partnerships			Transition
	Other (please specify)

12.

If you selected Other above, please specify here.

13.

Audience Targeted (check all that apply):

(1 required)

	Administration			Regular Ed Teachers/Support Staff
	Teachers of Deaf			Interpreters
	Special Ed Teachers/Support Staff			Speech and Language Pathologists
	Audiologists			Counselors/School Psychologists
	Family Members (March 8-10)

14.

Student population targeted:

(1 required)

	B-6			Elementary
	Middle School			High School

15.

PRESENTER INFORMATION
Presenter bio/background information (Please write a paragraph about yourself/your background):

16.

Background Checks
PLEASE NOTE that as a State Government Agency, WESP-DHH is required to have a background check on ANY ADULT who will be interacting (either directly or indirectly) with children during this conference. Because of this, you may be contacted about a background check and may be required to complete some additional paperwork.
Do you currently work for a government agency or a Wisconsin School District?

Yes

17.

If you answered yes above, please indicate which government agency or Wisconsin School District here:

18.

Do you live, or have you lived/worked outside of Wisconsin in the past 20 years?

Yes

19.

References (Please list name and contact info of two people who have seen you speak and can be a reference):
First Reference Name and Contact Information:

20.

Second Reference Name and Contact Information:

21.

Other information:

Type in the text that you see above:

Last Updated: 4/30/12