Community Health Outreach: Comics and Medicine 2017 Conference

This project will bring the Comics and Medicine 2017 Conference to Seattle, WA on June 15-17, 2017 at the Seattle Public Library. The Comics and Medicine 2017 Conference seeks to engage health providers, health information professionals, artists, academics and members of the local community in the use of comics as a resource to provide accessible health information and communicate health-related experiences. This year's theme, Access Points, will draw attention to how comics represent health-related accessibility issues and disability communities, and how they can reduce barriers to health information and education. In keeping with this theme, the conference will offer keynote speaker events that are free and open to the public, held in Seattle's Central Library, to encourage broad participation. A mix of panel discussions, hands-on workshops, collaborative working groups, and a unique 'Comics Marketplace' will allow multiple modes for participants to explore comics as a resource and medium for promoting conversations and information about health experiences. This award will fund travel and lodging expenses, plus honoraria for three invited speakers, and workshop materials.