2018 Australian Assistive Technology Conference (AATC):

14 – 16 November 2018

Call for Expressions of Interest to join the

AATC 2018 Conference Program Committee

ARATA is seeking expressions of interest to join the 2018 Australian Assistive Technology

Conference (AATC) Program Committee. The AATC Program Committee will represent a broad spectrum of AT users, suppliers, developers and prescribers working

collaboratively to provide oversight and leadership of AATC 2018 program development.

Key conference program dates

• Call for conference abstracts: opening call for abstracts Monday 5th March 2018

• Call for abstracts close Friday 25th May 2018

• Abstracts reviewed (blind review process) June-July 2018

• Applicants advised of outcome of submission by July 2018

• Final program published August 2018

• Conference opens Wednesday 14th November 2018.

Committee role

The committee will develop and prioritise plans for the 2018 AATC Conference Program, develop streams for conference presentations, review (blinded) abstract submissions,

guide the implementation of the oral and poster presentation content, and support the publication of the final AATC program. The Conference Program

Committee will work closely with the ARATA AATC Conference Committee, including the

Conference co-convenors, to ensure the 2018 Conference will offer a rich, diverse and comprehensive assistive technology conference program.

Tasks of the Conference Program Committee members include:

• Develop streams for conference abstract submissions • Review conference abstracts (blinded) and provide brief written feedback to each

submitting author where required - members of the Program Committee should be prepared to review an estimated 20-25 abstracts each during June/July 2018 as a core

component of their role. • Develop the structured program for the conference: including topic streams and sessions

within the conference program, platform papers and the poster program (note: invited speaker planning is already underway).

• Represent ARATA at relevant academic, industry and / or community meetings and act as AATC 2018 “ambassadors”

Please note the first meeting of the Conference Program Committee will be held on Monday 26th February 2018 at 2pm via videolink.

Note: Applicants should be aware that an active role at the Conference Program

Committee requires a certain and flexible time commitment, but will be mutually

beneficial for both the committee members and the final conference program.

Volunteering on the AATC 2018 scientific committee will be acknowledged in the

final published conference program, and at key platform presentations within the

conference, as well as via ARATA communication channels.

Selection Criteria - Essential

• ARATA Membership

• Experience with AT clinical practice or research • Some evidence of peer reviewed or clinical publication/s in nominated area of expertise

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and perform effectively as part of a team

• Demonstrated high standard of oral and written communication skills, time management,

and organisational skills to ensure effective teamwork • Able to attend monthly teleconferences and possibly one face-to-face meeting

• Availability to review ~20-25 abstracts in the period from June/July 2018.

Desirable (but not essential)

• Previous experience in and current knowledge of contributing to the planning and delivery

of a conference or other professional development event. • Experience/insight/awareness related to current and future topics or issues important for

assistive technology practice, education and research.

Application Procedure

All nominations are considered by the AATC 2018 Conference Committee. Based on the

recommendations of the Conference Committee, the Conference Co-convenors will appoint the required number of AATC 2018 program committee members.

To nominate, the candidate should send the following information to Libby Callaway

(libby.callaway@monash.edu): • An email addressing:

- The selection criteria as well as nominating area/s of AT practice for which the person believe themselves to be experienced;

- The nominee’s summary CV (max. 2 x A4 pages); - Any specific information regarding the person’s interest in joining, or reasons for

wanting to join, the committee. We strongly encourage ARATA members to consider this great opportunity, even if you

have not been on a conference committee previously. Please contact Libby if you have further questions regarding the role.

Expressions of Interest close FRIDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2018.