The 7th AfriNEAD Conference will be held from Wednesday, 29 November, to Sunday, 3 December at the Artscape in Cape Town accompanied by a virtual event. The African Network for Evidence-to-Action in Disability (AfriNEAD) is a pan-African network founded by the Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies at Stellenbosch University. It facilitates and coordinates the implementation of disability research evidence into policy and practice through engaging persons with disabilities.
The annual conference brings together researchers from around the world to discuss disability. This year, the conference is titled: “Positioning AfriNEAD: Rolling out Disability Research in Africa”. This title requires AfriNEAD to reflect on its organic strength and position in Africa. The organisation aims for evidence-based solutions to actions in disability work and to map a plan (a blueprint) for going forward.
Presenters
Through a wide range of perspectives, knowledge and methodologies, presenters at this conference are invited to participate in a common exploration of questions such as, but not limited to, the following:
- What is the impact of the work/research that I am doing now?
- How has my work/research impacted on policy and practice?
- How can my work/research inspire persons with disabilities and other stakeholders in the disability sector?
- How does my work/research go beyond rhetoric and bring meaningful change to the lives of persons with disabilities?
- How is this work/research going to continue to have an impact on the lives of person with disabilities in the future?
Prospective presenters can submit and extract. It should be a maximum of 250 words, in Times New Roman font size 12 and written in British English. All abstract submissions should follow the following structure: Background, Methods, Results and Conclusions.
Abstracts will be organised around eight thematic areas drawn from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as follows:
- Children and youth with disabilities;
- Education: Early childhood to tertiary;
- Economic empowerment;
- Development process in Africa: Poverty, politics, and indigenous knowledge systems;
- Health and HIV/AIDS;
- Community based rehabilitation;
- Assistive technology; and
- Holistic wellness: Sport, recreation, sexuality and spirituality.
Prospective presenters need to indicate whether they want their submissions to be considered for oral or poster presentation. All applications received will be forwarded to the Scientific Committee for evaluation. All applications will be assessed based on criteria put forward by AfriNEAD. You will be informed if your abstract has been accepted including the format of presentation.
Abstract authors must register here. Abstracts should be sent directly to lieketseng@sun.ac.za with afrinead@sun.ac.za cc’d on the e-mail. For more information on oral and poster abstract submission, please contact Associate Professor Lieketseng Ned at lieketseng@sun.ac.za.
Exhibitions
There is also an opportunity to individuals and organisations to have exhibitions and the conference. Those wanting to exhibit or display their work at the conference should submit abstracts in the form of a concept (at most one page) describing their work or products and the nature of presentation preferred out of the following options:
- Pre-conference event (Wednesday, 29 November),
- Exhibits parallel to the conference proceedings (Thursday, 30 November, to Friday, 1 December), or
- Post conference workshops (Saturday, 2 December).
For exhibitions, pre-conference events and post conference workshops, please contact Hillary Lane at afrinead@sun.ac.za. For other conference related queries, please visit the AfriNEAD website.
Attendance
Pricing for the event varies according to region and number of events attended with the virtual event slightly cheaper.
Virtual Conference | Full Conference | One (1) Day | Per Session |
Overseas | $200 | $100 | $15 |
Local and Regional (Africa Countries) | $120 | $60 | $10 |
NPOs | $60 | $30 | $5 |
Students and Persons with Disabilities | $30 | $15 | $5 |
VIRTUAL Full conference One (1) Day Per Session
Physical/in-person event | Full Conference | Early Bird | One (1) Day | Per Session | Caregiver/Assistant |
Overseas | $265 | $245 | $165 | $20 | $65 |
Local and Regional (African countries) | $185 | $165 | $125 | $15 | $65 |
NPOs | $125 | $105 | $75 | $10 | $65 |
Students and Persons with Disabilities | $95 | $75 | $70 | $5 | $65 |
Caregivers accompanying delegates must be registered and pay to cover meals. Price is negotiable for those who can’t afford it. A motivation letter needs to be submitted to Hillary Lane at afrinead@sun.ac.za. An invoice will be send from the Stellenbosch University regarding payment.
Overseas delegates
If you want to present of attend the function, it is important to have the correct travel visas. Please consult your closest South African Embassy two months in advance regarding visa requirements. Once you have paid your registration fees, a letter of invitation will be sent to you and the South African Embassy in your country will be notified of your participation in the conference. It is your responsibility to submit all required documentation to the South African Embassy in your country for your visa application.