Sunday, November 8, 2009

National Disability Services Victoria and Disability Professionals Victoria Conference - Call for Papers

The call for papers has been extended to the 13 November 2009.

National Disability Services Victoria and Disability Professionals Victoria are partnering to hold the largest annual Victorian conference for disability for organisations and professionals in 2010. The two-day conference From Strength to Strength will showcase how future focussed organisations and leaders are thriving... and adapting to the constantly changing environment.

The disability service sector is facing a constantly changing environment, in an economic climate that requires us to do more with less, but demands more governance and management practice. Our sector is moving to more individualised approaches and self-directed budgets. In this challenging environment, service providers and individuals are developing innovative approaches to manage this complexity. This conference will share the challenges, provide an opportunity to gain from others' experience and recognise positive developments in the sector.

As a sector we need to be provoked into thinking differently about our world; to have our assumptions challenged and new insights gained. Therefore we are seeking speakers who will engage with our audience, be provocative and lead debate and evaluation of differing ideas.


ABSTRACT TOPIC AREAS

National Disability Services (NDS) and Disability Professional Victoria (DPV) are calling for the submission of abstracts of papers that will assist organisations and people who work in organisations that support people with disability.

Topics of interest include:

1. Organisational Dynamics/ Emotional Intelligence

· showcasing recent research projects
· the management of emotions in a busy , chaotic environment
· the underlying dynamics of our sector

2. Leadership and Change Methodologies

· Action research, Appreciative inquiry, Strength based approaches
· Change management
· How to lead in an ever changing environment

3. Innovations

· Using technology to do more with less
· National Insurance Scheme
· Visionary projects
· Successful service innovations

4. Finance /Governance/Risk management

· Risk management
· Implications of individualised funding,
· Niche marketing
· Governance v Flexibility in risk adverse climate

5. Service Reorientation

· being competitive without being unprincipled
· building the right organizational culture
· drawing the best out of people
· innovative management practices
· aligning strategies to the new environment
· client inclusion what does this really mean

6. Workforce

· Attracting the right people to your organisation
· Occupation Health & Safety – aligning workers rights with client rights
· Recent successes in retaining staff

7. Research

· How to evaluate practices and programs
· Putting research into practice
· What is evidence based research

8. Collaborations, Competition and Stakeholder Engagement

· With other disability organisations, businesses, governments, education and training organisations and communities.
· identifying the types of partnerships or networks that work best
· managing the risks
· case studies of partnerships, highlighting the lessons
· Running a network
· what does stakeholder engagement mean to an organization and of the benefits of giving people with disability a chance

SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS AND ENQUIRIES

Abstracts, up to 300 words in length, must be submitted by 13 November to:
Helen Bryant
National Disability Services
Level 10, 369 Royal Parade
Parkville 3052
Phone 03 8341 4306 or 0400 106 130

Abstracts may be submitted electronically, as an email attachment, or by post on PC-compatible disc. They must be in MS Word or Word-readable format.

They will be assessed for suitability for inclusion by a peer review panel so should include the rational for the project/presentation, the benefits to the organisation or individual.

It is anticipated that presentations will generally be 30 or 45 minutes in length.

ABSTRACT FORMAT AND PRESENTER PROFILE

Title Arial, 12 pt bold, top of page, left justified
Body of abstract Arial, 11 pt, left justified
Presenter profile Include name, organisation, contact details and a brief presenter profile of no more than 150 words.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Presenters are invited to attend the Conference as our guest on the day of their presentation. The cost of attendance at the Conference on an additional day and any travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of each presenter.

The Conference organisers reserve the right to edit the abstract and/or presenter profile for use during the Conference.

National Disability Services (NDS) is the national industry association for disability services, with a membership of over 600 not-for-profit organisations. Collectively, its members operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disability. Members range in size from small support groups to large multi-service organisations, and are located in every State and Territory across Australia. NDS’s mission is to promote the development of quality services and life opportunities for Australians with disabilities.

Disability Professionals Victoria (DPV) is a professional association for individuals working in the disability sector and we promote excellence & leadership in a vibrant disability profession, by providing opportunities for recognition, learning & connection. Our focus is on the individual professionalrather than the employing organisation; everyone who is a current or aspiring disability professional is welcome to join DPV.

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