International Society for Augmentative and aLTERNATIVE cOMMUNICATION

ISAAC 2020

Cancún, México

“Communication Beyond Borders”

August 3-6, 2020

ABSTRACT sUBMISSION gUIDELINES

Prepared by the Conference Co-chairs, Program Subcommittee, ISAAC Research Committee and ISAAC International Executive

Modified from the 2018 call for papers prepared by Sally Clendon and Kate Anderson

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Table of Contents

Important Notes for All Authors

Making your Submission to the Online System

All submissions must be made through the online system. Please note that your computer will need to have Java installed to use the online submission system.

To submit a proposal online, please go to the ISAAC webpage:

https://www.isaac-online.org/english/conference-2020/

The online portal will open on June 25th, 2019 @ 18:00 GMT.

Submissions close September 30^th, 2019 @ 18:00 GMT.

Each submission requires you to:

Complete an online form – see individual requirements for each submission type on the following pages.
Upload American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) declaration form(s) as a single PDF file. This enables conference participants to receive continuing education credits from ASHA.

Peer Review and Selection

Proposals will be selected based on relevance, scientific quality, content area, importance, and program balance. The Program Committee will make final decisions regarding:

Allocations to conference Content Area(s).
Final Format (e.g. poster/short session) and duration of each session.

Please note that you may be offered an alternative format to your original selection.

Please do not submit the following:

Abstracts that have already been published elsewhere
Submissions that are solely for company marketing purposes - these presentations should be held at an exhibitor's booth or should be arranged as a separately ISAAC 2020 sponsored session.
Submissions containing sensitive material, such as a person's name, voice, picture, or personal details, without their permission.

Copyright

ISAAC will own the copyright on all proposals accepted for the conference.

Ethical Procedures

All presenters are expected to have followed ethical procedures in the collection and analysis of clinical and research data. This includes measures to protect the privacy and confidentiality of people mentioned in their presentations. Images and likenesses, including audio recordings and photographs or video data, must only be used with the permission of the person depicted. Real names or initials must only be used with the participant’s permission; otherwise pseudonyms stated as not being the person’s real name must be used. Where a person cannot provide informed consent themselves, proxy consent (e.g., from a parent or appointed guardian) must be obtained. For those requiring more information about consent and assent processes, the following links to Ethical Research Involving Children (ERIC¹) and Ethical Guidance for Research with People with Disability (National Disability Authority²) may be of use.

It is the author's responsibility to make consent or other ethical considerations clear within their submission. Abstracts suspected of containing identifying information will be returned to the author(s) as non-reviewable.

Notification of Acceptance

Applicants will be notified about the acceptance/rejection of their submission by February 28, 2020. Some authors may be offered a chance to resubmit their proposal in an alternative format.
Presenters will be notified of the time, date, and final format of their presentation by April 30, 2020 at the latest.
A minimum of one author per accepted presentation must be registered no later than “xx-date”, otherwise ISAAC reserves the right to remove that presentation from the ISAAC 2020 program. Authors accepted to the program are expected to register and be available to present at their allocated time in the program. Changes to allocated times will not be considered. Conference registration pricing rates will be released publicly in advance of acceptance notifications being sent.

¹http://childethics.com/

²http://nda.ie/Policy-and-research/Research/Research-Ethics/

Conference Theme and Content Areas for ISAAC 2020

The conference theme for ISAAC 2020 is “Communication Beyond Borders / Comunicación Sin Fronteras”. The theme challenges the AAC community to think beyond local contexts and to embrace broader global practices. The conference strives to move the field toward more culturally and linguistically responsive approaches, evidence-based practices and will support the launch of a Spanish Speaking Chapter of ISAAC. The conference will embrace and promote multiculturalism, multilingualism, equitable service provision and the communication rights of all individuals locally and globally. “Communication Beyond Borders / Comunicación Sin Fronteras” will provide people who use AAC (PWUAAC), practitioners, researchers, families, and AAC manufacturers with multiple forums for engagement, interaction and collaboration, while recognizing the uniqueness, strengths and challenges of diverse local contexts.

The conference committee is mindful of ISAAC’s efforts to build AAC professional capacity specifically in countries where Spanish is spoken, as well as countries that are traditionally underserved. To that end, ISAAC 2020 will:

ensure that conference co-chair leadership is representative of the Spanish speaking world, including professionals from México and ISAAC’s US Chapter USSAAC.

encourage PWUAAC, researchers, professionals, and manufacturers globally to take an active part in developing, expanding and refining our evidence base and ensuring a more rapid translation of research into practice and practice into research.

keep developing best practices and quality services for individuals who use AAC by staying informed about practice innovations and advances and by collecting the evidence needed to support both traditional and new assessment and intervention approaches; and

foster partnerships and connections among and across communities, locally, nationally and internationally.

The conference program will be a mix of Short Sessions, Posters, Interactive Seminars, Research Discussion Panels, Master Classes and Hands-on Demos. We look forward to hearing how you can contribute to these goals by submitting a presentation across the following content areas:

Content Areas	Examples
AAC Clinical Practice Across the Life Span	AAC clinical service provision across settings (educational, home, health, community) and over time (birth to death).
AAC Technology, Design and Technology Integration	Innovative tools, resources and techniques that advance the field of AAC. Applications of social media and mobile technologies. Design considerations.
Cognitive, Sensory and Motor Aspects	AAC research/practices that focus on issues related to the brain, cognition, sensory and/or motor challenges that impact access to AAC.
Communication Partner Supports	Supporting communication partners across settings in ways that are culturally and linguistically appropriate. Creating communication accessible businesses and services.
Education, Language and Literacy	Optimizing educational participation, language and literacy development for people who use AAC.
Equity, Diversity, and Participation	Diverse identities: ability, sexuality, gender, spirituality and more. Access to culturally and linguistically appropriate systems, supports and services.
Family and Consumer Self-Advocacy	Access to client and family-centered services. Advocacy tools. Social participation, friendships, family, partners Sexuality and parenting. Addressing violence, abuse, and safety in the community.
Professional, Ethical, and Legal Considerations	Ensuring communication access for people who use AAC: Justice system, health care, education, work, etc. Supporting self-expression, legal aid and representation.
Capacity Building around the World	Communication awareness, knowledge, and capacity in AAC emerging countries around the world.
Capacity Building in México and Latin America	AAC capacity building and networking issues specific to Mexico and Latin America.
Other

Submission Formats

For this conference, we are offering six different submission formats for authors to choose from...

Poster

Short Session

Research Discussion Panel

Interactive Seminar

Hands-on Demo

Master Class

The following guidelines have been provided to help you decide which format will be most appropriate for your submission to ISAAC 2020, and how the reviewers will judge each category. These sections include information on preparing your abstracts and using the online form. We have also provided some guidance on how to prepare your submission for the conference.

SHORT SESSION

Short Session

Short Sessions are 20 minutes in length followed by 10 additional minutes allocated for a question and answer period. The purpose is to share scientific information in the form of recent research findings or ongoing research, or highlight educational, clinical, technical, and professional innovations in an efficient manner, see our webpage for information about this format.

Online Submission Form – Short Session

The online form will prompt you to provide the following details:

Presentation Title:

The topic of your session should be clear from the title (max 15 words).

Author Details:

You will be asked to provide the name, affiliation, contact details, and a short biography (max 150 words) for each author. You must also indicate which author(s) will be presenting the submission at the conference.

Presenter Requirements:

All of the presentation rooms will be equipped with an Internet enabled PC, data projectors, screen, USB ports, and audio output to amplified speakers. Please indicate if you have any additional AV needs. Please also list any presenter accessibility needs including set-up assistance, assistive technology requirements, and wheelchair accessibility.

Target Audience:

Authors must select one of the following options:

Introductory / General Knowledge level presentations target early practitioners / researchers / families, OR cover a broad scope for a wide audience.
Intermediate / Advanced knowledge level presentations target practitioners / researchers / families with significant background in AAC, OR a specialized topic with a narrower scope.

Content Area(s):

Following the theme of this conference: Communication Beyond Borders, authors will be able to link their short session submission to more than one content area (see these listed on page 6). The reviewing committee reserves the right to assign the abstract to a different session format or content area from the one identified in submission.

Declaration of Interest Statement

Authors must select one of the following statements:

"The authors disclose they have no financial or other interest in objects or entities mentioned in this paper".

"The authors disclose they have the following financial or other interests in objects or entities mentioned in this paper..." (Please provide specific details, e.g., research funding sources, commercial interests in products or interventions, etc.)

This statement must acknowledge the interests of all authors on the paper.

Abstract Format – Short Session

Your abstract must be entered as plain text into the submission form, and should be a maximum of 750 words, including up to six references.

The abstract should provide a detailed description of the session contents for the conference proceedings and for review purposes. To see an example of a Short Session abstract, click on this link.

Recent research findings submission abstracts must include the aim, method, results, and conclusion.

Educational, clinical, technical, professional innovations submission abstracts must include the content and focus of the presentation.

The abstract should contain no identifying details of the authors, to enable a blind review of the submission.

Learning Outcomes

The abstract must list three learning outcomes.

ASHA Disclosure Form(s)

These forms allow ASHA members to gain Continuing Education Unit (CEU) points for attending your presentation. An ASHA form must be completed for each proposal submission and uploaded as a PDF. If they are not included, the proposal will be returned to the author(s) as non-reviewable.

The ASHA forms can be accessed here, and downloaded / saved to your local computer for completion. ISAAC International recommends using the full version of Adobe Acrobat to electronically sign your PDF abstract upload. Alternatively, printed ASHA forms can also be scanned or photographed and converted to PDF.

Selection Criteria

Short Sessions will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

Strength of theoretical, scientific, or professional rationale.
Quality and rigor of content, as appropriate for proposal type.
Relevance and interest to ISAAC audience.
Overall clarity of proposal.
Suitability for proposed session format.
Appropriateness of learning outcomes.
Engagement of ISAAC audience.

POSTER

Poster

Posters are a visual representation of research findings, ideas, or personal experiences. They typically incorporate graphics and text. Posters will be on display at set times during the conference. Presenters will be allocated a short timeslot to discuss their poster with delegates. For poster formatting requirements, as well as tips and advice on creating a high quality poster, see our webpage for information about this format.

Online Submission Form – Poster

The online form will prompt you to provide the following details:

Poster Title:

The topic of your poster should be clear from the title (max 15 words).

Author Details:

Presenter Requirements:

Please list any presenter accessibility needs including set-up assistance, seating, or a board at the end of a row for improved wheelchair access.

Content Area (s):

Following the theme of this conference: Communication Beyond Borders, authors will be able to link their poster submission to more than one content area (see these listed on page 6). The reviewing committee reserves the right to assign the abstract to a different session format or content area from the one identified in submission.

Declaration of Interest Statement

Authors must select one of the following statements:

"The authors disclose they have no financial or other interest in objects or entities mentioned in this paper".

"The authors disclose they have the following financial or other interests in objects or entities mentioned in this paper..." (Please provide specific details, e.g., research funding sources, commercial interests in products or interventions, etc.)

This statement must acknowledge the interests of all authors on the poster.

Abstract Format – Posters

Your abstract must be entered as plain text into the submission form, and should be a maximum of 750 words, including up to six references.

The abstract should provide a detailed description of the poster contents for the conference proceedings and for review purposes. To see an example of a Poster abstract, click on this link.

Research Evidence submission abstracts must include the aim, method, results, and conclusion.

Professional Practice, Personal Experiences and Preferences, and Research Theories and Methods submission abstracts must include the content and focus of the poster.

The abstract should contain no identifying details of the authors, to enable a blind review of the submission.

Learning Outcomes

The abstract must list three learning outcomes.

ASHA Disclosure Form(s)

Selection Criteria

The poster will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

Strength of theoretical, scientific, or professional rationale.
Quality and rigor of content, as appropriate for proposal type.
Relevance and interest to ISAAC audience.
Overall clarity of proposal.
Suitability for proposed presentation format.

INTERACTIVE SEMINAR

Interactive Seminar

Interactive Seminars provide more in-depth coverage of topics and create opportunities for discussion and interactive learning. Most of the Interactive Seminars will be 60 minutes in length. Presenters can request a longer session length (90 or 120 minutes) with strong justification. For tips and advice on writing and running a seminar that is interactive, inclusive, and accessible in its delivery, see our webpage for information about this format.

Online Submission Form – Interactive Seminar

The online form will prompt you to provide the following details:

Interactive Seminar Title:

The topic of your seminar should be clear from the title (max 15 words).

Author Details:

Presenter Requirements:

All of the seminar rooms will be equipped with an Internet enabled PC, data projectors, screen, USB ports, and audio output to amplified speakers. Please indicate if you have any additional AV or presentation needs. Please also list any presenter accessibility needs including set-up assistance, assistive technology requirements, and wheelchair accessibility.

Target Audience:

Authors must select one of the following options:

Introductory / General Knowledge level seminars target early practitioners / researchers / families, OR cover a broad scope for a wide audience.
Intermediate / Advanced knowledge level seminars target practitioners / researchers / families with significant background in AAC, OR a specialized topic with a narrower scope.

Content Area (s):

Following the theme of this conference: Communication Beyond Borders, authors will be able to link their Interactive Seminar submission to more than one content area (see these listed on page 6). The reviewing committee reserves the right to assign the abstract to a different session format or content area from the one identified in submission.

Declaration of Interest Statement

Authors must select one of the following statements:

"The authors disclose they have no financial or other interest in objects or entities mentioned in this paper".

"The authors disclose they have the following financial or other interests in objects or entities mentioned in this paper..." (Please provide specific details, e.g., research funding sources, commercial interests in products or interventions, etc.)

This statement must acknowledge the interests of all authors of the workshop.

Abstract Format – Interactive Seminar

Your abstract must be entered as plain text into the submission form, and should be a maximum of 750 words, including up to six references.

The abstract should provide a detailed description of the seminar contents for the conference proceedings and for review purposes.

Abstracts must include the content and focus of the seminar, the learning outcomes, and the interactive components.

Learning Outcomes

The abstract must list three learning outcomes.

Interactive Components

The abstract must outline the strategies that will be used to promote interactive learning during the seminar. For example, these might include hands-on activities or small group work on focused questions.

The abstract should contain no identifying details of the authors, to enable a blind review of the submission.

ASHA Disclosure Form(s)

These forms allow ASHA members to gain Continuing Education Unit (CEU) points for attending your workshop. An ASHA form must be completed for each proposal submission and uploaded as a PDF. If they are not included, the proposal will be returned to the author(s) as non-reviewable.

Selection Criteria

Interactive Seminars will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

Strength of theoretical, scientific, or professional rationale.
Quality and rigor of content, as appropriate for proposal type.
Relevance and interest to ISAAC audience.
Overall clarity of proposal.
Suitability for proposed presentation format.
Appropriateness of learning outcomes.
Engagement of ISAAC audience.

RESEARCH DISCUSSION PANEL

Research Discussion Panel

The purpose of Research Discussion Panels is to create a platform for academic discussion and debate around conceptual areas of interest in AAC research and practice. Panels should lead to deeper understandings and give impetus for new questions, ideas and directions in AAC research.

Research Discussion Panels are not aimed only at emerging or established researchers, but rather at anyone who is interested in a more in-depth engagement and theoretical discussion around a particular AAC research topic.

Research Discussion Panels will offer a forum to discuss indepth the state of the science and future needs of a specific topic. The panel will include a discussion moderator and 3-4 speakers. The moderator will be in charge of recruiting the speakers and organizing the discussion. Each speaker will describe the current and most pressing research questions in his or her area of work, as well as needs/questions for future research. The moderator will be in charge of keeping time, engaging the audience, and closing the discussion panel with a brief 10 min summary and conclusion, see our webpage for information about this format.

Online Submission Form – Research Discussion Panels

The online form will prompt you to provide the following details:

Research Discussion Panel Title:

The topic of your Research Discussion Panel should be clear from the title (max 15 words).

Author Details:

You will be asked to provide the name, affiliation, and contact details for each author. You must also indicate which author(s) will be the moderator of the Research Discussion Panel.

In addition, you will be asked to provide the following biographical information for each author: affiliation, qualifications, and brief track record relating to AAC research and capacity building of other researchers (150 words per author).

Note: One team member must gather all of the information and make the online submission (see instructions at the end).

Presenter Requirements:

All of the presentation rooms will be equipped with an Internet enabled PC, data projectors, screen, USB ports, and audio output to amplified speakers. Please indicate if you have any additional AV needs. Please also list if any panelist has accessibility needs, including set-up assistance, assistive technology requirements, and wheelchair accessibility.

Content Area (s)

Following the theme of this conference: Communication Beyond Borders, authors will be able to link their Research Discussion Panel submission to more than one content area (see these listed on page 6). The reviewing committee reserves the right to assign the abstract to a different session format or content area from the one identified in submission.

Declaration of Interest Statement

Panelists must select one of the following statements options:

"The authors disclose they have no financial or other interest in objects or entities mentioned in this paper".

"The authors disclose they have the following financial or other interests in objects or entities mentioned in this paper..." (Please provide specific details, e.g., research funding sources, commercial interests in products or interventions, etc.)

This statement must acknowledge the interests of all Research Discussion Panelists.

Abstract Format – Research Discussion Panels

Research Discussion Panel abstracts should be entered as plain text into the online form. The abstracts should provide a detailed description of the proposed contents for the conference proceedings and for review purposes.

The following abstracts should be submitted:

Overview of Research Discussion Panel

Overall title of Research Discussion Panel
Overall abstract (250 words)

Provide a description of why this is an important area of AAC research, the proposed outcomes for the panel, and a plan for how each of the panelists will participate in the session and in discussions (approx. 125 words). Outline the panelists to be included; and how the audience will be engaged in discussion (approx. 125 words).

Research Discussion Panelists’ Individual Content and Expertise

Briefly outline the expertise, experience and content focus area for each panelist and what the panelist will bring to the Research Panel discussion. Provide examples of questions he/she will address and the audience will be asked to consider during the panel (250 words per panelist)

Note: The number of panelists included on a panel is at the discretion of the Research Discussion Panel moderator(s), however panels must not exceed the total time allocated (either 120 or 180 mins).

Learning Outcomes

The abstract overview must list three learning outcomes.

ASHA Disclosure Form(s)

These forms allow ASHA members to gain Continuing Education Unit (CEU) points for attending your seminar. An ASHA form must be completed for each seminar presentation and uploaded as a single PDF. If they are not included, the proposal will be returned to the author(s) as non-reviewable.

Selection Criteria

Research Discussion Panel proposals will be reviewed by ISAAC’s Research Committee members and the 2020 Program Committee Chair. Selections will be based on quality and innovation. The following aspects will be considered:

Innovative Excellence in AAC research: Scientific quality and potential for new ideas.

Rationale: Description of the importance of the focus area of research.

Engagement: How audience engagement and discussion will be facilitated.

Strength of AAC researchers/team involved

Relative to opportunity and can include a mix of early, mid, and established researchers.

Overall Impressions of the proposal in relation to the purpose of the 2020 ISAAC Research Discussion Panels.

MASTER CLASS

Master Class

Master Classes are 2 hour presentations on a specific AAC-related topic with an emphasis on professional development and capacity building. The content of the Master Class will be foundational and targeted to professionals who need access to exemplary practices backed by research evidence. Master Classes will emphasize clinical/ educational/ professional application that is supported by appropriate levels of evidence, see our webpage for information about this format.

Online Submission Form – Master Class

The online form will prompt you to provide the following details:

Presentation Title:

The topic of your Master Class should be clear from the title (max 15 words).

Author Details:

Presenter Requirements:

Target Audience:

Authors must select one of the following options:

Introductory / General Knowledge level presentations that target early practitioners / researchers / families, OR cover a broad scope for a wide audience.
Intermediate / Advanced knowledge level presentations target practitioners / researchers / families with significant background in AAC, OR a specialized topic with a narrower scope.

Content Area(s):

Following the theme of this conference: Communication Beyond Borders, authors will be able to link their Master Class submission to more than one content area (see these listed on page 6). The reviewing committee reserves the right to assign the abstract to a different session format or content area from the one identified in submission.

Declaration of Interest Statement

Authors must select one of the following statements:

"The authors disclose they have no financial or other interest in objects or entities mentioned in this paper".

"The authors disclose they have the following financial or other interests in objects or entities mentioned in this paper..." (Please provide specific details, e.g., research funding sources, commercial interests in products or interventions, etc.)

This statement must acknowledge the interests of all authors on the paper.

Abstract Format – Master Class

Your abstract must be entered as plain text into the submission form, and should be a maximum of 750 words, including up to six references.

The abstract should provide a detailed description of the Master Class contents for the conference proceedings and for review purposes.

Abstracts must include the content and focus of the Master Class.

Learning Outcomes

The abstract must list three learning outcomes.

The abstract should contain no identifying details of the authors, to enable a blind review of the submission.

ASHA Disclosure Form(s)

The ASHA forms can be accessed here, and downloaded/ saved to your local computer for completion. ISAAC International recommends using the full version of Adobe Acrobat to electronically sign your PDF abstract upload. Alternatively, printed ASHA forms can also be scanned or photographed and converted to PDF.

Selection Criteria

Master Classes will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

Strength of theoretical, scientific, or professional rationale.
Quality and rigor of content, as appropriate for proposal type.
Relevance and interest to ISAAC audience.
Overall clarity of proposal.
Suitability for proposed presentation format.
Appropriateness of learning outcomes.
Engagement of ISAAC audience.

HANDS-ON DEMO

Hands-on Demo

Hands-on Demos focus on specific tools and services that offer an evidence-based and innovative approach for addressing a specific challenge in the provision of AAC services. Participants will have an opportunity to see, touch and learn about AAC tools and technologies during an interactive session, see our webpage for information about this format.

Online Submission Form – Hands-on Demo

The online form will prompt you to provide the following details:

Presentation Title:

The topic of your Hands-on Demo should be clear from the title (max 15 words).

Author Details:

You will be asked to provide the name, affiliation, contact details, and a short biography (max 150 words) for each author.

Presenter Requirements:

All of the Hands-on Demos will be equipped with an Internet enabled PC, data projectors, screen, USB ports, and audio output to amplified speakers. Please indicate if you have any additional AV or presentation needs. Please also list any presenter accessibility needs including set-up assistance, assistive technology requirements, and wheelchair accessibility.

Target Audience:

Authors must select one of the following options:

Introductory / General Knowledge level presentations target early practitioners / researchers / families, OR cover a broad scope for a wide audience.
Intermediate / Advanced knowledge level presentations target practitioners / researchers / families with significant background in AAC, OR a specialized topic with a narrower scope.

Declaration of Interest Statement

Authors must select one of the following statements:

"The authors disclose they have no financial or other interest in objects or entities mentioned in this paper".

"The authors disclose they have the following financial or other interests in objects or entities mentioned in this paper..." (Please provide specific details, e.g., research funding sources, commercial interests in products or interventions, etc.)

This statement must acknowledge the interests of all authors involved.

Abstract Format – Hands-On Demo

Your abstract must be entered as plain text into the submission form, and should be a maximum of 750 words, including up to six references.

The abstract should provide a detailed description of the Hands-on Demo tool and content of the session for the conference proceedings and for review purposes.

Abstracts must include the tool and content of the hands-on demo, the learning outcomes, and the interactive components.

Learning Outcomes

The abstract must list three learning outcomes.

Interactive Components

ASHA Disclosure Form(s)

The ASHA forms can be accessed here, and downloaded/ saved to your local computer for completion. ISAAC International recommends using the full version of Adobe Acrobat to electronically sign your PDF abstract upload. Alternatively, printed ASHA forms can also be scanned or photographed and converted to PDF.

Selection Criteria

The hands-on demos will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

Strength of theoretical, scientific, or professional rationale.
Quality and rigor of content, as appropriate for proposal type.
Relevance and interest to ISAAC audience.
Overall clarity of proposal.
Suitability for proposed presentation format.
Appropriateness of learning outcomes.
Engagement of ISAAC audience.

Hands-on Demos