Narpa 2008 Conference

Below is an event announcement and call for Presentations for NARPA’s 2008 conference. The NARPA conference tends to be as good as any, so even if you don’t plan on submitting a presentation, please plan on attending. More information will be posted at http://www.narpa.org/ as it becomes available.

2008 Conference Featured Speakers:

Michael Perlin
International Disability Rights Expert and Author

Catherine Penney
Of Dante’s Cure, Her True Story

Susan Stefan
Significant Developments in Mental Health Law – 2008

Plenaries by
Latino Activists and Leaders,
Peer Advocates &
Veterans on Contemporary Issues

A Special Presentation
Tribute to Institutionalized Musicians

Well-known advocates and activists will present workshops including:

Jennifer Mathis  *  Bill Stewart  *  Ron Bassman * Jim Gottstein  *  Darby Penney  *  Peter Stastny  *
Kim Darrow  *  Dennis Feld  *  Emmett Dwyer * Mark Joyce  *  Pat Risser  *  Brian East * John Breeding * Eliza and Ted Eller, Emily Johnson and Ann Creighton of Ionia * Anne Rider  *  Ira Burnim  *  Moira Dolan  *  Lauren DeWitt

Conference activities will be held at the University of Texas Thompson Conference Center.
Hotel accommodations are at the nearby AT&T Conference Center,
within walking distance or accessible by shuttle.

October 1–4, 2008
(Wednesday Evening–Saturday Noon)
Austin, Texas
University of Texas Thompson Conference Center
(With lodging at the AT&T Conference Center and Hotel on campus.)

The National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA) is seeking proposals which address strategies, ideas, programs, and emerging practices that support and promote NARPA’s mission and commitment to individual rights, liberty, freedom and dignity.

Deadline has passed for Call for Presentations, but here is application:

http://psychrights.org/Education/NARPA08/Call4Presentations-NARPA2008.pdf

POSSIBLE TOPIC AREAS FOR WORKSHOPS/PRESENTATIONS

Rights Issues
Cultural Competence
Strategies Against  Forced Treatment
Seclusion and Restraint
Children’s Issues
Prison Issues
Community Organizing

Action and Advocacy
Alternatives to the Medical Mode
Informed Consent
Trauma and Healing
Legal Strategies
Innovative Strategies for Change
Public Policy/Legislation

The incorporation of diversity and multicultural perspectives into the above themes is encouraged.  All workshops are approximately 90 minutes.

Deadline for Submission May 10, 2008; electronic notification by May 24, 2008.

For more information, contact NARPA at narpa@aol.com or (205) 464-0101.  Mail proposals to NARPA, P.O. Box 40585,  Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 or e-mail to narpa@aol.com. Electronic submissions preferred.