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Call for DSA 2027 Workshop Proposals

📢 19th Biennial DSA Conference Call for Proposals


Deaf Seniors of America (DSA) is officially inviting individuals to submit proposals to present, facilitate, or lead an engaging session at our upcoming 19th Biennial DSA Conference! 
 

We welcome innovative, empowering, and engaging proposals that connect with our vibrant community and align with this year’s official theme:
 

"Retired, Rewired, and Crabby—With Purpose!"


🔍 Overview
 

The 19th Biennial DSA Conference will take place August 20–27, 2027, in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel. This landmark event serves as the premier national gathering for Deaf seniors, advocates, community leaders, and professionals.

This year’s theme celebrates the humor, resilience, wisdom, and determined advocacy that come with our senior years. We are seeking interactive workshops, lively conversations, thought-provoking panel discussions, and educational presentations focused on healthy aging, technological adaptation, social connection, and purposeful advocacy.


We invite applications from a broad range of presenters who understand, support, and uplift the Deaf senior community.
 

👥 Eligibility
 

  • Who Can Apply: Open to scholars, advocates, community leaders, senior care professionals, and others with relevant expertise or experience. 

  • Membership Requirements: DSA membership is not required to apply; however, all accepted presenters must register for the conference and submit their registration fees by January 15, 2027, to officially confirm their session(s).

  • Submission Screening: All submitted proposals will undergo a comprehensive review by the DSA Conference Selection Committee.
     

🏆 Selection Criteria


Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
 

  • Theme Alignment: A strong connection to the "Retired, Rewired, and Crabby—With Purpose!"

  • Community Impact: Clear, actionable takeaways that empower Deaf seniors.

  • Accessibility: Clear communication delivery, including ASL fluency and accessible visual design, for our diverse audience.

  • Feasibility: Clarity, completeness, and professionalism of the session plan, including logistics and overall organization.
     

📝 Preparing a Proposal


To ensure a smooth application process, please prepare the following information before accessing the electronic application system:
 

  • Session Title: A clear, engaging name for your session.

  • Presenter Bios: A brief biography of each presenter (150 character limit each). 

  • Headshot of Presenters: A headshot for each presenter.

  • Accessibility & Accommodation: Describe any communication access accommodations you may need.

  • Stage & Mobility Access: Describe any mobility or physical access requirements for the presentation area. 

  • Session Description: Explain what the session will cover and how it will benefit the Deaf senior community (300 character limit).

  • ASL Bio & Session Video: Submit an ASL video, up to 2 minutes, introducing yourself and describing your proposed session. 

  • Learning Objectives: Describe the measurable actions participants will be able to perform after attending the session.

  • Topic Category: Select one of the following six categories: 

    • Caregiving

    • Financial and Retirement Planning

    • Medicare and Health Insurance Navigation

    • Safety and Planning

    • Technology and Innovation

    • Wellbeing and Growth

  • Session Format: Describe the primary instructional activities you will use during the session.

  • Session Media / Materials: Identify the specific media, technology, or materials you plan to use during the session.

  • Preferred Session Date/Time: Indicate your preferred date and time. We will do our best to accommodate your preference.

  • Featured Session: New this year!  One general session will be open to all conference attendees, with no other workshops scheduled at that time. We are seeking an essential, high-interest topic with broad appeal to the entire audience.

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📝 Additional Topic Categories

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Good news! The DSA Workshop Committee has extended the proposal submission deadline by two weeks. The new deadline is Sunday, November 15, 2026.

 

We, the DSA workshops committee, are looking for engaging workshop and presentation proposals for Senior Citizens. Suggested topics include health/nutirtion/wellness, legal planning, digital skills, and creative hobbies. See additional categories below:

 

Health and Wellness

  • Medication reviews and safe management

  • Fall prevention, balance, and strength training

  • Managing chronic conditions and senior nutrition

  • Mental health, mindfulness, and meditation

  • Tai Chi/Yoga for diabetes, Parkinson disease, and arthritis management and fall prevention

  • Nutirtion

    • Balanced meals: vegetables, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats

    • Portion sizes and mindful eating

    • Hydration and choosing drinks with less added sugar

    • Understanding ingredients and serving sizes on food labels

    • Planning and preparing simple, affordable meals

    • Fiber, protein, and added sugars—what to look for

    • Nutrition needs as we age, including calcium and vitamin D

    • Lifestyle habits: physical activity, sleep, and stress management
       

Legal and Financial Planning

  • Understanding estate planning (wills, trusts, and health care directives)

  • Powers of attorney (personal and financial)

  • Medicare enrollment guidelines and avoiding penalties

  • Navigating reverse mortgages or downsizing
     

Technology and Digital Literacy

  • Smartphone and tablet basics

  • Avoiding online scams, phishing, and cyber fraud

  • Connecting with family via video calls and social media

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
     

Creative and Lifelong Learning:

  • Art classes (painting, pottery, drawing, and card-making)

  • Container or indoor herb gardening

  • Creative writing and memoir journaling

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Retirement

  • The "Fear of Spending" Dilemma: Many retirees hesitate to draw down their nest eggs due to sequence-of-returns risk and uncertainty, leading to new strategies for building a predictable "retirement paycheck".

  • Mental Health: Many retirees get depressed due to

    • Loss of Identity and Self-Worth

    • Disruption of Routine and Structure

    • Social Isolation and Loneliness

    • Financial Stress on a Fixed Income

    • Declining Health and Forced Retirement

  • Phased Retirement and Extended Careers: More older Americans delaying full retirement or moving into flexible, part-time, and gig work.

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Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid

  • SHIP Counselors: State Health Insurance Assistance Program coordinators (ideal for unbiased, non-commercial advice)

  • Elder Law Attorneys: Great for technical clarity on Medicaid asset limits and estate planning

  • Geriatric Care Managers / Social Workers: Perfect for practical, real-world navigation of the systems

  • Independent Insurance Brokers: Excellent for plan comparison mechanics (ensure they focus on education over sales).


Interesting Topics from the Council on Aging

  • Chronic Pain Self-Management (HMM)

  • Bingocize is an evidence-based health promotion program that combines the game of bingo with light to moderate physical exercises and health education.


Children of Deaf Adults (CODAs)

When designing a workshop specifically for CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults), the content shifts away from early childhood identity. It focuses heavily on the unique intersection of aging, lifelong caregiving dynamics, and elder care navigation. Because CODAs grew up in an era with fewer digital accessibility tools, they often carry a profound, lifelong role as their senior parents' primary link to the hearing world.
 

⚖️ Presenter Agreements


By submitting a proposal to the 19th Biennial DSA Conference, applicants agree to the following terms:
 

  • Deadline: All proposals must be submitted by Sunday, November 15, 2026 (new/updated deadline). Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No extensions will be granted.

  • Attendance: If selected, presenters must register for and attend the event in person.

  • Media Consent: Presenters consent to being photographed and recorded during their session for use in conference materials and promotions.

  • Material Sharing: Presenters permit DSA to share presentation slides and/or handouts with conference attendees after the event.

  • Technology: Presenters must bring a personal, fully charged laptop. DSA will provide a screen, standard projection cables, adapters, and a riser.

  • Conduct: All presenters agree to abide by DSA’s community guidelines and code of conduct.

  • Slides & Accessibility: Presenters must use the official conference slide template, ensure all content is fully accessible, and make any required DSA accessibility adjustments.


⏳ Important Dates
 

  • Application Window Opens: Tuesday, September 1, 2026

  • Application Deadline: Updated!  Extended to Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 12:00 AM (Midnight) EDT

  • Notification of Acceptance: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
     

🖥️ Ready to Submit?
 

Electronic forms will be accepted through our online portal (red button below). 

 

📧 Questions?

 

For questions regarding the submission process or proposal requirements, please contact our team at workshops@deafseniors.us.


Technology doesn't always cooperate!  If you think you submitted your workshop proposal but haven't received a confirmation email—or if you're not sure it went through—please email workshops@deafseniors.us. We will be glad to confirm whether we received it. 

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