How I’m Preparing for a Conference as a Disabled Behavior Analyst

I’m heading to the annual Women in Behavior Analysis (WIBA) conference in just a few weeks. I was fortunate enough to receive one of the scholarships to the conference, meaning WIBA paid  for my hotel and registration. As a disabled behavior analyst, here is how I’m preparing for the conference.

The last conference I went to was ABAI in San Francisco. I had a wonderful time with friends, but I also had a difficult time pain-wise. For at least 2 of the 5 days I was there, I had to spend a significant amount of time in my hotel room, laying in bed in pain. Luckily, one of the things my degree in ABA taught me is that data is power. I’ve been tracking my pain for months, and I have some ideas of how I can make WIBA a better experience.

Take Time Off

One thing that’s relevant to this conversation is that I travel for work a lot. When I travel for work, I still have deadlines and projects I need to work on. But WIBA isn’t a work trip, and I’m not treating it as one. I’m using PTO to fully clock out.

Don’t Treat It As A Vacation

Even though I’m using PTO to attend WIBA, I know it won’t be a relaxing vacation. Conferences take a lot out of me. Between the networking and the change in my normal routine, a conference is fun, but not relaxing. For this specific trip, I will be traveling from a Wednesday to a Friday. I decided to take Tuesday off work, as well, and I’ll have a few days after I get back before heading back to work. Hopefully, these extra days allow me to prepare before and recuperate after I get back.

Make Plans Loosely

Since conferences take a lot out of me, I never commit to plans until I’m there. This means if I’m up for drinks and networking, I have the space to go out. But if I need to get takeout and watch a movie in my room, I’m not bowing out of premade plans to give myself the space I need to relax. Even though this will be my first time in Chicago, I’m not making grandiose plans to go sightseeing. I have one bookstore I really want to get to, but anything above and beyond that will be a bonus.

Prioritize Continuing Education

A conference is, first and foremost, an opportunity to obtain continuing education. If I only have the energy for one thing, I’d like it to be a talk. Especially at a conference like WIBA, where there are so many fantastic speakers that I am so excited to get to hear from.

Expand Existing Connections

I am fortunate enough to know some incredible people in our field. When my energy is low but I want to network, one way to save some energy is to ask people I already know to introduce me to their colleagues that I don’t yet know. (If you aren’t in my kind of situation, see this blog for more networking tips).

Utilize Accommodations

I have a number of things I do to make life easier on myself. I have hypoglycemia, and carry a snack with me everywhere I go. I put fidgets in my purse so my hands have something to do during talks. I typically only attend 50-minute talks in person since I struggle to sit still. I carry earplugs with me everywhere I go, and I’m not afraid to use them when I need them. Many conferences have also begun offering sensory rooms for attendees who are overstimulated. I use these if I need a short break, and go back to my hotel room if I need a longer break. All of these are examples of accommodations I make for myself as a disabled person. 

Conferences take a lot out of me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t value the experience. I love conferencing. I love chatting with people doing new and innovative things in our field. I love getting excited about behavior analysis with other behavior analysts. As a disabled person, a conference can require some extra planning, various supports, and more PTO than someone else might need. But it’s all worth it for the opportunity to be surrounded by friends, colleagues, and future friends and colleagues.