2009 NARRTC ANNUAL MEETING

Better Research, Better Evidence, Better Practice

Date: Monday and Tuesday, May 4 - 5, 2009
Location: Holiday Inn National Airport Hotel Crystal City/Arlington, Virginia

The National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (NARRTC) is holding its 31st annual national conference entitled Better Research, Better Evidence, Better Practice on Monday and Tuesday, May 4-5, 2009. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn National Airport in Crystal City/Arlington, VA – a new venue this year.

NOTE: The NCDDR will be hosting post-conference activities on May 6 - 7, 2009; information soon to be available.

The format will include plenary and concurrent sessions. Moderated concurrent panel presentations will allow approximately 20 minutes per presentation. In addition, a question and answer period may be planned as a part of each concurrent panel session.

The agenda focuses on the work being done by a range of NIDRR grantees to advance science and improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. Highlights of this year’s conference include:

Approximately 16 panels with 43 presentations addressing these topics:

Disability Research Data Analysis (Quantitative or Qualitative)
Establishing Best Practices in Disability and Rehabilitation
Knowledge Translation Research Findings and Needs
Rigor and Relevance of Disability Research Evidence
Strategies for Using Research Evidence in Policies and Practices
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Value and Relevance of High Quality Single Case Study Design

Updates on policy and legislative events
Participant meetings around research and dissemination/knowledge translation
Presentations from NIDRR staff and management
Awards in recognition of distinguished service and important contributions to the field
Second annual award for Best Paper from NIDRR-funded research.

Registration Form
Agenda
Hotel Information

Conference Information

ALTERNATE FORMATS: First and foremost, ANY information handed out at NARRTC MUST be in alternate formats (large print, Braille and disk [ASCII or rich text] – see NARRTC policy regarding alternate formats) – NO EXCEPTIONS. If you do not have materials available in all formats listed above, you cannot hand them out!
REGISTRATION FORM: Download and complete this form by neatly printing or typing all information. Mail with payment to Pam Willits to the address on the form. Please be specific on accessibility needs; we will contact you regarding any accessibility requests. We must receive your request no later than April 10, 2009.

REGISTRATION FEE: The registration fee covers cost of all materials, breaks, and lunches. Please note that ALL participants must pay a registration fee. All registrations must be received by April 24, 2009. Registration fees are non-refundable; you may send a substitute.

REGISTRATION FEES (includes lunch both days)	NARRTC Member	Non-Member	Student*
Early Bird (must be received by April 3, 2009)	$330	$495	$110*
Regular Rate (received after April 3, 2009)	$385	$550	$110*

*A copy of the current student I.D. must be included with the registration form and payment.

METHOD OF PAYMENT: U.S. checks or money orders must be made payable to: NARRTC (Federal Tax I.D: 39-6006495). Payments by purchase orders must be numbered, include the name and address of the participant(s), and be sent with the registration forms. Purchase orders for the early bird rate must also be received by April 3, 2009.

Mail registration form and payment to:
Pam Willits, Conference Coordinator
University of Kansas
Research and Training Center on IL
1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 4089 Dole Center
Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7555
MEALS: Continental breakfast, refreshments at morning and afternoon breaks, and lunch is provided both days. The buffet lunch will include a variety of bread, meat, cheese, and salads. Please note that there is a place to check on the registration form whether you will be eating lunch each day. You must check whether or not you will be attending, so that we can guarantee your meal. NOTE: We are required to guarantee the number of meals 72 hours prior to the lunch.
HOTEL INFORMATION: Conference room rate is $209.00 + taxes (about $240/night). The deadline to receive the conference room rate is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2009. Reservations received after that date will be subject to availability at their regular rate. All participants are responsible for their own room reservations and travel arrangements.

The Holiday Inn National Airport Hotel is located at 2650 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia, approximately one mile from Reagan National Airport. The hotel provides complimentary van service to and from the airport; call the hotel on your arrival to request a shuttle. When making your hotel reservation, call 703-684-7200 and indicate you are with the "NARRTC" group. In order to receive the conference rate, your reservation must be made by April 3, 2009. You also can book your hotel reservations online.
FRAGRANCE FREE CONFERENCE: At the request of participants with environmental illnesses (EI), the NARRTC conference is fragrance free. We request that you refrain from using scented products such as perfume, hairspray, or lotions at the conference. We appreciate your sensitivity to this critical health need. Scented personal care products, cigarettes, cleaners, and other fragrant products are DANGEROUS to persons with Environmental Illness and may cause severe allergic reactions.
AGENDA: The final program will be given to you at registration.

Questions? Please contact Pam Willits: pwillits@ku.edu, 785-864-4095