Have you conducted research in DD nursing? Have you developed effective education or service programs for staff, clients with DD and/or their families? Have you found other innovative ways to improve the care of persons with DD? Do you want to share your findings or what you have created with other DD nurses? A poster session at the annual conference can be an excellent way to do this. A poster session is a way to present information that can be shared in a relatively short time frame, e.g., 5 -10 minutes. It is also a great opportunity to inform other nurses without having to speak in front of a large audience. You prepare your poster, which is displayed at the conference. Conference attendees can read what you have written on your poster and, at select times during the conference, you stand by your poster to answer questions. It's as easy as that!

Poster presenters are expected to register and pay for the conference and assume all arrangements and costs related to the poster session. Posters will be accepted in two categories: Research in Developmental Disabilities Nursing and Staff/Client/Family Education Resources or Programs.

CDDNs and DDCs who present a poster session at DDNA 2008 will get 3 hours of educational credit toward their recertification.

The Review Process:

The Conference Committee will review your submission based on the following criteria:

• clarity of description of the content and presentation methods
• importance, depth, focus, and level of audience interest
• presenter's professional background
• absence of commercial content
• orginality of topic/presentation (e.g., has not been presented at other DD nursing conferences)

Staff/Client/Family Education and Program Poster Proposals

Proposals should include the following (Please note: The poster session is for non-commercial educational resources and programs only. If you have staff/client/family education resources or programs for sale, please contact DDNA about obtaining an exhibitor table for your products).

1. Education or Research Title and Author
2. A maximum 200-word abstract that describes:
   • The subject area and general content
   • Audience for the education/program
   • Basic information on why and how it was created
   • Basic information on how it has been and could be used
   • Effectiveness of the education/program
3. Vested Interest Form

Research Poster proposals should include the following:

1. Study Title and Author
2. A maximum 200-word abstract that describes:
   • Study Purpose
   • Research Question/hypothesis
   • Research Methods
   • Research Design
   • Data Analysis and Findings
   • Discussion
   • Conclusion
3. Vested Interest Form

How to Submit a Poster Presentation Proposal:

For all types of poster proposals, you must submit the following forms:

• Presentation Submission Form with Abstract
• Biographical Form
• Vested Interest Form