Resources and Information, Peer-to-Peer Connections, Fresh Ideas and Tons of Fun!
Here's What's Happening for Afternoon Sessions:
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Fear LESS / Do MORE!, RI's 24th Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference, takes place on Thursday, October 31st, 2019 at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. We cannot accept on site/same day registrations. Everyone is welcome, but must be registered in order to attend.
Door open at 8:15am for Registered Attendees to sign in and get settled before the opening ceremonies that start at 9:30. We will have coffee, tea and pastry when you arrive, along with a variety of vendor displays and the Conference sales table in the foyer.
The Self-Advocacy Merchandise you can buy includes t-shirts, hats, hooded zip-up sweatshirts and long-sleeve shirts. To highlight this year's theme, we also designed a gorgeous royal blue fleece jacket with the "Fear LESS / Do MORE! logo embroided on the front pocket. We may be a bit biased when we say that it's seriously awesome, but you don't have to take our word for it. Head to the sales table once you've signed in and check things out for yourself. And don't forget to bring you wallet because you will definitely want one!
As in previous years, if you arrive before 9:00 am, we'll enter your name in our Early Bird Raffle, with a bunch of great prizes and more than one chance to win. The raffle takes place after lunch and you need to be there is your name is drawn to claim your prize.
Opening Ceremonies run from 9:30 to 10:45 and we're happy to announce that RI Rock and Roll Musician Mark Cutler will be joining us again during that time. Mark will listen to your thoughts about this year's theme, and help us capture what everyone has to share thru music. We'd never put anyone on the spot, but if you'd like to speak up and say a few words about overcoming your fears and doing more of the things that are most important to YOU, Mark will be there to listen and turn your words into lyrics for this year's original song! He'll also be there throughout the day things that may have stopped you, or may still be stopping you, and taking action to do moreless and afraid and more cofimusic. , and helps us pull them all together by compositng them and help pull them all together in another original song, or "music with a message" ! Mark is also the founder of, The Same Thing ProjecttFo
We're also excited to welcome back RI's very own Rock and Roll band, Rhode Sodas, who will be there to help us dance the night away at this year's
TOTALLY AWESOME Costume Dinner Dance Party!! Remember to wear your costume for a chance to win prizes in our evening raffle!
Here's a Snapshot of the 2019 Conference News You Can Use!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY TO PRINT, SHARE and HELP SPREAD THE WORD!
The final day to get your registration in has been extended to Monday, October 28th, but you need to get it to us no later than 4:00 pm!!
Self-Advocacy is about many things. It’s about being empowered and included. It’s about finding the information you need to make your own decisions. Self-Advocacy means that you don’t live in a bubble. You’re a part of society and a member of whatever community you choose. You know your rights, and the responsibilities that go with them.
Self-Advocacy also means learning to face your fears and overcome the things that stop you from living your life the way you want.
That's what RI's 2019 Statewide Conference is all about!
In selecting this year's theme, our planning team chose to Focuses on Abilities and Embrace Possibilities, with a message designed to empower attendees to overcome fear, make informed decisions, and live life to the fullest.
A person who has a developmental disability has the same hopes, aspirations and dreams as everyone else, and yet many are also limited by overprotection and fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of trying something new. Fear of not being respected, taken seriously, or seen as an equal member of the world we all live in.
To this we say, enough with the fear, already. It's time for some action! At this year's Conference, attendees will have multiple opportunities to discover how they can fear LESS and do MORE through a combination of 18 informative workshop sessions, user-friendly resource displays, Peer to Peer Connections, and more.
Join us at this year's conference to connect with peers, gain new skills, choose from a variety of workshop sessions and other opportunities to gather resouce information, and discover something new. Together we can make a difference as we talk, learn and share ideas about how to Fear Less and DO More!
Follow the links below to download Conference Materials. Note that Forms are in PDF format may be downloaded to complete on your computer. Once you're done entering your information, please follow the instructions listed on each form to re-name and save it with a new file name.
If you'd like to pay for your Conference Day, Evening, Hotel or Sponsorship by credit card, follow the instructions above and email your completed form to: billing @ advocatesinaction.org.
Once we receive your form, we'll send you an invoice that you can use to pay by credit card. ** This information is also printed on each of the applicable forms.
2019 Conference, Hotel Reservations and Costume Dinner Dance
CLICK HERE to download the 2019 Registration Form
Note: this is a digital form that will download when you click the link above. Once downloaded, you can fill in the registration information on your computer and save it with the name of the person who is attending the conference. Print this form and mail it with your payment, or following the instructions listed on the form to pay by credit card.
The Early Bird Discount Rate has been extended to Friday, October 18th and the last day to register is Friday, October 25th. Let us know right away if you're having trouble making the discount deadline and we can work with you to extend it as needed.
For those staying at the hotel, Reservations are also due by Friday, October 18th
2019 Conference Presentations
CLICK HERE to download the 2019 Presenter Proposal Form
For Reference, CLICK HERE to see the list of 2018 Conference Presentations
The deadline for Presenter Proposals has been extended to Friday, October 18th
2019 Self-Advocacy Awards
Nominate someone for one of this year's awards and if they win, both your and your nominee will receive a FREE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION to attend Fear Less/Do More!
The deadline for Award Nominations has been extended to Friday, October 18th
CLICK HERE to DOWNLOAD the 2019 Self-Advocacy Awards Nomination Form
2019 Conference Sponsors
The Deadline to send your Print-Ready Copy for those who wish to place an ad in this year's program has been extended to Thursday, October 17th.
The deadline for those who wish to host a vendor display without placing a Program Ad is Friday, October 25th. We're also happy to receive donations to support our work at any time! Advocates in Action RI is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation, which means some or all of your donation may be tax-exempt.
CLICK HERE to download the 2019 Conference Sponsor Form to support this year's event
We invite your business or organization to partner with us as a sponsor for Rhode Island's 24th Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference.
Whether you decide to place an ad in our conference program, host a vendor display, or make a tax exempt donation, we hope you'll take advantage of this exciting opportunity to connect and engage with a diverse group of individuals, reach potential customers and future clientelle, share resources, and promote your work, while showing your support for one of Rhode Island's largest integrated events of the year!
For Reference, click here to view the 2018 Conference Program.
To place an Ad in this year's program, please review the Print-Ready Requirements and send your Ad Copy no later than Thursday, October 17th. Alternately, we can also create an ad for you at no additional cost.
Click here to send us an E-mail with your conference questions
or call the Advocates in Action office at 1 - 8 7 7 - 5 3 2 - 5 5 4 3
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This page was updated on
Thursday, October 31, 2019
