Interested in speaking at DDNA 2012?

DDNA invites all I/DD nurses and other experts in the care of persons with developmental disabilities to submit a proposal to present at the DDNA Annual Education Conference, which will be held in May 2012. We welcome proposals on topics in clinical care, education, administration, research, patient education, and consultation in all practice areas of ND/DD nursing. Presentations should have an interdisciplinary (nurse/family/client/other health professional) focus whenever possible.

The focus of DDNA 2012

The focus for the 2012 conference is "Twenty Years Later – Are We There Yet?" The Preconference will focus on "Risk Management in ND/DD Nursing." Among our interests are managing risk for the agency, managing risk for the individual nurse, the dignity of risk, and what happens when risk becomes reality.

For the General Conference sessions, we are looking for expert speakers with ND/DD-related expertise in a number of topic areas, including, but not limited to: longitudinal health studies, pragmatics and social integration for persons on the autism spectrum, updates on autism, updates on neuropsychiatry, abuse/neglect/exploitation, addressing the needs of the person in a person-centered planning world, fall prevention programs that work, nursing children with ND/DD in school settings, puberty and emerging sexuality, education of persons with ND/DD about their health, meeting health care transition challenges for young adults, dementia in persons with ND/DD, end-of-life care, an overview and update on seizure care, genetics and syndromes, technology for persons with ND/DD, women's health issues, dysphagia, wellness guidelines in relation to obesity/physical deconditioning, metabolic issues and other common health concerns, and our ongoing work with medication management issues. We are also interested in presentations related to ND/DD nursing professional development, such as how to prepare a research or professional poster presentation, standards of ND/DD nursing practice, and DSP training and preparation.

Selection criteria for speakers

The Conference Planning committee will review the outlines and narratives submitted for both general session and breakout session presentations based on the following criteria:

• clarity of the description of the content and presentation methods
• importance, depth, focus, level of audience interest
• applicability of the presentation to a variety of I/DD settings
• presenter's professional background and speaking experience
• absence of commercial content
• originality of topic/presentation (has not been presented at recent past DDNA conferences or at other major I/DD-related conferences)

How to submit an application

We ask that all speaker presentation proposals be submitted online. If you are unable to submit a proposal online, please contact DDNA. By filling out the online submission form you have provided all information needed by the Conference Planning Committee and for DDNA to meet the requirements for continuing education for nurse attendees.

Access and complete the online speaker presentation proposal here.

Deadline for proposals

Your proposal must be received by DDNA Headquarters by October 15, 2011. We ask that all speaker presentation proposals be submitted online. If you are unable to submit a proposal online or would like help submitting an online proposal, please contact DDNA. By filling out the online submission form you have provided all information needed by the Conference Planning Committee and for DDNA to meet the requirements for continuing education for nurse attendees.

The review process

Upon receipt, presentation proposals will be reviewed by the Conference Planning Committee. The primary presenter will be notified of acceptance or rejection by November 15, 2011.

Need help?

If you have any question related to submitting a speaker presentation proposal, please contact DDNA at (407)835-0642.

Suggest an expert speaker

DDNA welcomes suggestions for outstanding speakers. If you would like to recommend a speaker, please call DDNA Headquarters at (407)835-0642 between 9am and 5pm ET M-F, or contact us through the Contact page. We would be pleased to follow up with the potential speaker, as appropriate.