Abstract Submission Guidelines

Call for Abstracts is now closed

This conference represents an excellent opportunity to present original research and case studies based on the conference theme of ‘Transitions: Moving On, Moving Out’.

The theme asks us to consider the transitions experienced by blind and visually impaired people and the implications of these transitions for service provision and professional practice.  This includes how we transition through our physical environments and use developments in technology.

IMC conferences have established themselves as the leading international forum for discussion and deliberation on issues relating to all aspects of O&M practice and development.  International co-operation and communication enable us to advance our shared understanding of the many increasingly complex issues involved in best practice.

Submission Process

The abstract submission process for IMC16 will have one step. A full paper is not required.

Important Dates:

Opening of Call for Abstracts: 30 April 2016
Deadline for Abstract Submission: 5 December 2016
Notification of Abstract Acceptance: 30 January 2017
Deadline for registration for presenters: 31 March 2017

Presentation Format

An abstract can be submitted for presentation at the conference as one of the following:

  • Oral (20 minute presentation)
  • Poster
  • Workshop

An abstract may only be submitted once.  Accepted abstracts may be designated as oral or poster presentations.

Theme

The conference theme is ‘Transitions: moving on, moving out’. This asks you to consider changes and progression faced by blind and visually impaired people of all ages as they move through life and their environments. It also asks you to consider how these changes and progression impact on our practice, service provision, professional education and development.

Abstracts must be submitted under one of the conference sub-themes. The only language of the conference is English and all abstracts must be submitted in that language.

 

Transitions 1: Moving On, Moving Out in Life

Progression and changes in the life of people who are blind and visually impaired

  • Transitions through the life cycle; early years to adolescence to adulthood to senior years
  • Transitions in vision; fully sighted to visually impaired, improving the use of vision, improvements to or recovery of vision
  • Transitions in independence; decreasing or increasing independence, quality of life and leisure time, family and relationships

 

Transitions 2: Moving On, Moving Out in the World

Moving about and through the physical environment

  • Use of mobility aids (long cane, guide dogs, orientation techniques, low vision, auditory skills, decision making etc.)
  • Universal Design and access
  • The use of assistive, adaptive and mainstream technologies
  • Moving through the built environment
  • Urban and rural environments
  • Transport

 

Transitions 3 – Moving On, Moving Out in Education and Employment

Changes and challenges faced by people who are blind and visually impaired in accessing and moving through education and employment environments.

  • Supporting transitions in education; early years, first, second and third level/further education (and equivalents), identifying mobility/rehabilitation issues
  • Supporting access to employment, types of employment, retaining employment, moving from employment to retirement
  • Changes and challenges faced by people who are visually impaired and have additional complex needs in accessing education and employment

 

Transitions 4 – Moving On, Moving Out in Professional Education and Practice

Changes, challenges and innovations in professional education and practice

  • Changes and innovations in O&M, Guide Dog Instructor, Rehabilitation and Habilitation education
  • Professional registration, accreditation, CPD and e-learning
  • New ideas in practice
  • Changes in service provision
  • Changes in service user group

Submission Guidelines and Templates:

Please adhere to the following formatting guidelines when preparing abstracts/papers for submission for IMC16. Abstracts/papers not formatted to the following standards will not be accepted.

Abstract Guidelines:

The system will ask you to input the following details:

  • Title of the abstract (word limit is 30)
  • Presentation type (Oral, Poster, Workshop)
  • Theme must be chosen from sub-themes listed above.
  • Name, affiliation, and job title of lead and corresponding author
  • Name, affiliation, and job title of co-author(s)
  • Indicate the presenting author
  • Abstract word limit is 400

Workshop Requirements:

If you want to present your abstract as a two hour workshop please answer the following questions

  • Will your workshop include a discussion forum or a practical task? If so, which?
  • What is the maximum number of people that can participate in the workshop?
  • What location or locations does your workshop require? (E.g. seminar room, outside in TCD grounds, Dublin City Centre etc.)
  • Does your workshop require any special equipment other than audio-visual equipment? If so will you supply this?

Template Abstract

Please click on the link below to see a template abstract layout that you need to use when you create your abstract and save it as a word file to upload on the online submission portal. All abstracts must follow this layout and format.

Download Abstract example HERE

How to submit an abstract

The corresponding author must create an online account. Once you enter the online submission portal, start by creating an Account. Please keep a record of the account details you use to set up the account as you will require them to log into the IMC16 submission and registration portals. You can then add your contact details and submit your abstract in the ‘Abstract Submission’ section in the system.

IMPORTANT: Please note that you can save your submission as a draft and return to edit the submission, but once it has been submitted the abstract cannot be edited. If you require edits to be made please contact imc16@conferencepartners.iei

Notification

  • Notification will be sent to authors on 30 January 2017.
  • When notified of acceptance, presenters are required to accept their offer by registering for the conference by 31 March 2017 or they shall be removed from the programme.

Please note:

  • Presenters may be recorded for live streaming. A recording of the presentation and a copy of the slides may be published online after the conference.
  • Posters may be published in print and online after the conference.
  • It is the responsibility of the corresponding author to communicate with results with other members of the presenting team.

Delegate registration for IMC16 is now open

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