CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS AND COVER ARTWORK FOR 2027 ISSUE!

Special Edition: Autistics and Aging

In the upcoming issue of the Canadian Journal of Autism Equity (CJAE), we would like to highlight submissions on the topic of aging and autism as it relates of Autistic Canadians. This is to improve awareness of these experiences as well as the understanding and acceptance of Autistic Canadians in society across the lifespan. Canada’s autism strategy, released in 2024, includes two pillars that underlie our decision to feature this topic. One pillar is focused on awareness, acceptance and improving our collective understanding of autism. The other is about data collection which contains a specific focus on autism across the lifespan. For this issue, we want to hear from Autistic Canadians about their experiences with aging. This could include experiential narratives discussing one’s personal experiences with aging as an Autistic person, research focused on autism and aging or aspects thereof more generally. Any topic related to aging as it relates to autism is acceptable including menopause, dementia, retirement, and life changes related to aging. This list is not exhaustive. As usual, we accept a variety of formats of submissions, including experiential papers, poetry, audio/video submissions, letters, opinion pieces, artwork, original research, and more. Please submit your full piece for consideration by the deadline below via our online portal. You must submit four separate files:

1. An anonymous version of your submission with no authors’ names or affiliation(s) listed in the submission, including a 200-500 word abstract and keywords
2. A title page in a separate file with the names of all authors, their affiliations, their ORCiD IDs (if applicable), each author’s connection to autism.
3. A full version of the submission with author names and affiliations listed, including the abstract and keywords.
4. A cover letter containing a disclosure of any AI use, conflicts of interests related to any authors, and confirmation that the work included is not plagiarism, signed by all of the authors (virtual/electronic signatures are fine).

Please see the submission guidelines, submissions policies and submission checklist for more information on the individual file requirements.

Works can be submitted in English or French and in a range of formats. Please refer to our website for further details about the submission guidelines.

Also, please note that we also accept submissions unrelated to the current theme as long as they fit the overall mission of CJAE, namely submissions that address an equity issue affecting the Autistic community or a subgroup thereof. Preference for the upcoming issue will be given to submissions fitting the theme of the issue.

CJAE is published once each year, in April, following World Autism Acceptance Day.

Important Deadlines:

• Submission deadline: 11:59 PM on October 1st, 2026

Please note: Any submissions received after the deadline will be considered for the 2028 issue.

The Canadian Journal of Autism Equity (CJAE) is an open-access e-journal focused on critically engaging with various equity discussions within the autism community and public policy. Seeking authorship primarily by first-voice Autistic people or people with lived experience with autism and intersectionality, the Journal offers a platform to amplify marginalized voices and share these perspectives with decision-makers and Canadians alike. CJAE's authorship policy states that at least 50% of pieces published in each issue must be authored/created by an Autistic person. Further details about this policy can be found on our website under "Submission Guidelines." To be considered an Autistic person, you do not need to prove a formal diagnosis, if you identify as Autistic but lack a formal diagnosis you would also count as an Autistic person.

As a journal that aims to offer such a platform and one focused on equity within the Autistic and autism community, CJAE is dedicated to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Thus, the CJAE Editorial Board strongly encourages submissions from marginalized and underrepresented communities and populations within the Autistic and autism community. CJAE's commitment to EDI aligns with McMaster University's EDI Strategy. In addition, you can view the journal's Community Agreements, to which the Journal and its Editorial Board have further affirmed its pledge to equity. You can access them by clicking here.

Cover Artwork for the 2027 Issue

 CJAE is looking for submissions of original artwork by Autistic Canadian artists to be featured on the journal's 2027 issue cover.

Submissions will be accepted from all Autistic artists, regardless of professional experience. Submitted works should be suitable for reproduction for the cover of an online digital publication.

Submissions should include the following:

• 1-5 digital images in JPEG format of original artwork.
• A short biography, 100 to 200 words.
• Title, date, and medium of the works.
• A declaration as to whether AI was used in any capacity to generate or alter the image and to what extent. Please include what AI or AI program was used, what the prompts were as well as a detailed explanation of how the AI program changed the image.
• Please note, images completely generated using AI tools (including text-to-AI generators) will not be acceptable as cover art. Artwork that was created or modified by graphic design software that incorporates AI in its functionality to streamline editing tasks are eligible for consideration.

Important Deadlines:

• Submission deadline: 11:59 PM on October 1, 2026

Please forward submissions to cjae.board@gmail.com with your name and 'CJAE Cover Art' in the subject line.

CJAE will pay a one-time royalty fee for the work selected for the use of the work in accordance with CARFAC fees for the reproduction of original works for digital publications.

For questions or further information about this special issue, please contact the CJAE Editorial Board at cjae.board@gmail.com.

CJAE Editorial Board