This is a presentation about including self advocates in conferences. You can find more information at http://www.includeme.org.au/ The website includes resources, checklists, video and audio

1. Include Me! Ideas on how to include people with an intellectual disability or an acquired brain injury in conferences This guide is for people organising a conference and for people going to a conference. 1

4. WORDS Self Advocates find that one of the biggest issues is the wording of documents 4

5. 5 WORDS Example Use Plain or Easy English Predominant Main 5

6. 6 Don’t Use Jargon Paradigm Inter-related Paradox Accentuate Utilisation 6

7. 7 Acronyms? These are Acronyms If you use an acronym spell out the letters or provide a handout with a list of the acronyms and their meanings AFDO = Australian Federation of Disability Organisations DHS = Department of Human Services CRU = Community Residential Unit 7

8. If difficult words need to be used put the meaning next to the word or include a word list Word List 1. Subsequent = after Keynote Speakers = the main speakers State of the Art = latest Retain = keep 8

9. 9 WORDS No italics Use clear fonts Contrasting colours 9

10. WORDS Use large font Not small Size 14 or larger Use large 10

11. 11 Room 1 Session 1 – Make sure program times are correct 10 am Room 1 Session 2 – 10 am 11

13. Language and communication needs

14. Dietary needs12

16. Online or by mail

17. Large font

18. To be used with a screen reader13

20. Support participants to do the feedback forms

21. Provide them online so they can be done later14

22. Presentations Self advocates may find it difficult to follow presentations 15

24. Provide information in small pieces

25. Keep presentations short

26. Have regular breaks

27. Allow time for self advocates to ask questions16

29. Not speak too quickly and be clear

30. Use short sentences

31. Give clear explanations of difficult ideas17

33. Make your questions and answers easy to understand

34. Pause and check that everyone understands18

36. Stop

37. Go Ahead19

38. Coloured Rooms Give the rooms colours not names Use colours in the program to help people find rooms 20

39. To help Self Advocates decide which sessions to attend Keynote Speakers should rate their information using the ‘Star’ system. = hard = some difficult words = easy 21

40. SUPPORT Self Advocates may need support to participate Ask Self Advocates if they want support Have Support Workers/Advisors at the conference 22

42. to meet each other

43. learn about the themes for the conferenceAlso…have a quiet space for Self Advocates to rest 23

45. Have an orientation program

46. Explain presentations and ideas

47. Should arrive early to meet self advocates

48. Stay until self advocates have left24

49. The Venue Self Advocates may need support to get to the venue and to know where to go when they do get there The conference should be...... easy for people to find 25

50. The conference should be...... close to public transport 26

52. Self Advocates may have other disabilities. They may have physical disabilities, vision or hearing impairment or limited speech, so they may need other information about the venue. 28

53. Finances Many Self Advocates will be on a limited budget Problem Many self advocates can’t afford to attend conferences. Conference fees can be very expensive and out of the reach of self advocates 29

54. Finances Solution Provide sponsorship for self advocates who may find it financially difficult to attend. 30

56. accommodation

57. registration fees

58. conference dinner costs31

62. 35 About This Project Project Funding: Helen MacPherson Smith Trust. http://hmstrust.org.au/ Project Support: AFDO - Australian Federation of Disability Organisations Ph. 9662 3324office@afdo.org.au http://www.afdo.org.au/ DRC - Disability Resources Centre Phone: 9481 6646 advocacy@drc.org.auwww.drc.org.au Steering Committee David Banfield, Norrie Blythman, Amanda Hiscoe, Frank Hall-Bentick, Neil Cameron, Christine Scott, Sue Smith and Heather Forsyth Project Workers/Kit Design Janice Slattery, Val Edgar, Jacqui Ward, Neal Haslem End