Invitation to Apply
2026 Member Showcase 
Call for Autistic and Caregiver Community Viewpoints: Artistic Expression and Personal Narrative Displays

Autism Alliance of Canada welcomes members with lived experience to share their experience during the CALS2026 Member Showcase.

Autistic people, support persons, and family members of Autistic people are invited to share their experiences related to*:

• Accessing autism screening, diagnosis, services before diagnosis, and services after diagnosis
• Using government or community programs to support their participation in activities outside of their home
• Challenges or barriers to receiving the supports and services they need to live life to the fullest. (Ideas about how these challenges or barriers can be removed or reduced are welcome, but not required)
• Using new technologies, for example AI, to support their everyday life.
  • This could mean using technology to find, navigate, and understand current systems and available supports.

*If a potential presenter has an idea that is not fully captured by this list, we still encourage them to apply.
Printed visual displays may include:

• Artwork
• Posters
• Poetry
• Short stories
• Any other creative work(s)

Visual Display Format

Selected presenters will be given  a table where they can share their visual display. As CALS attendees walk throughout the Member Showcase, presenters will have the opportunity to discuss their work and share their experience.

Dates: April 14, 15, and 16

Presenters will need to attend the CALS2026 Member Showcase in-person at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario. It is encouraged that presenters attend the Member Showcase on all three evenings. If this requirement creates a barrier to your participation, please let us know in section five of your application.

Please note that selected presenters are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements, as well as their registration fees to attend the Summit.

Financial Accessibility Bursary

The CALS 2026 Financial Accessibility Bursary Program is designed to help reduce financial barriers and support the meaningful participation of an Autistic person and/or a caregiver or support person. Learn more here.

Bursary application deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. E.S.T)
Notification of decision: the week of January 26, 2026

Submission Requirements & Deadlines

Submission deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. E.S.T)
Notification of decision: the week of February 13, 2026

Submissions will be evaluated on relevance, clarity, and potential to improve the lives of Autistic people and their families.

Please note that we will not consider submissions that:

• Advertise specific treatments, interventions, or research
• Advertise a business or product

If you require additional support to complete the application, please don’t hesitate to contact us at summit@autismalliance.ca

More Information

Why Share Your Experience at CALS2026?
Sharing your experience during the Member Showcase provides a unique opportunity to connect with Autistic people, their families or support persons, community leaders, policymakers, and researchers who are dedicated to improving autism-related supports and services across Canada.

We look forward to receiving your submission!