2024 TASH Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the official website for the 2024 TASH Conference!

Each year, the TASH Conference brings together our constituents to share resources and success stories, learn about field-driven best practices, and network within a community engaged in shared values. The Conference is attended by passionate leaders, experts, and advocates from every corner of the disability community. Conference attendees are influential in their fields and communities, and play an important role in the provision of services and supports for individuals and organizations around the world; and include professors and researchers from leading institutions; those involved in local, state, and federal governments and public policy; special and general educators, and school administrators; self-advocates, adult service providers; students, family members, and many others. This year’s conference theme is Celebrate Together: Let the Good Times Roll!

Click on the "Registration and More" tab for additional information about our Conference location, registration, reserving a guest room, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, and more! The full Conference schedule is now available for viewing. Registered attendees will receive an invitation to log in and create a personalized schedule.

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10:00am CST

How AI & Technology Opens the Door for New Employment Opportunities

Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST

4TH Floor - Imperial 9

This presentation will explore the transformative potential of AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot in enhancing the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. We will demonstrate practical applications of these tools in the workplace, such as improving communication, streamlining tasks, and fostering independence. Additionally, we will discuss how AI can support personal life activities, from managing daily routines to accessing information and learning new skills. Attendees will gain insights into integrating AI technologies to promote autonomy, efficiency, and overall quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities. Join us to discover innovative strategies for integrating AI to support and empower individuals with developmental disabilities.

Presenters

Lisa Latchford

President, Fox Associates Consultation LLC

Lisa Latchford is a dedicated Employment Consultant, Trainer and Facilitator, known for her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. With a foundation built on person-centered planning, she is passionate about guiding... Read More →

Michael Rogers

Customer Service Relations, Washington State DSHS/DDA

I have been working at DDA for 28 years, and I am a life-long advocate for disability rights. In 2002, I was appointed by President Bush for the President's Committee on Developmental Disabilities where I advocated to change the name of the Committee to use respectful language and... Read More →

Alison DeYoung

Training & Technical Assistance Manager, Wise

Alison DeYoung has worked in the field of transition and employment since 2008 in various roles as a direct support provider, job developer and special education teacher. She worked as the Lead Instructor of Campus Life with Project FOCUS at the University of Arizona, a model demonstration... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 9 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest Self-Determination
Key Words Assistive Technology, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence
Presentation Type General

11:15am CST

Writing Together: Small Group Writing Instructions for Students with IDD

Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin H

In this engaging presentation, presenters will discuss past research on writing instruction for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and describe two recent studies on the effectiveness of an intervention package including constant time delay, sentence frames, and technology-assisted instruction on: (a) writing within a shared story reading and (b) small group writing instruction for students with IDD. Additionally, we will provide teachers with writing examples that can be implemented in their classrooms without the need for additional funding.

Presenters

Fred Spooner

Professor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Fred Spooner is Professor of Special Education at UNC Charlotte. Dr. Spooner has researched and written about instructional strategies for students with severe disabilities since the 1980s. Recently, he has focused on alternate assessment and linking both assessment and instruction... Read More →

Thai Williams

Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin H Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Research to Practice
Key Words Writing, Assistive Technology, Academic Instruction, Communication
Presentation Type Research

5:45pm CST

Why Should We Teach Digital Citizenship? A Curriculum For Pre-Service Special Educators

Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST

3RD Floor - Storyville Hall

Schools play a critical role in providing access and to supporting youth's knowledge and skills related to using technology to participate in digital spaces. However, research indicates youth with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), access and use technology less and have less access to digital citizenship training opportunities. This presentation will discuss a collaboratively developed curriculum we designed to:

(a) expand preservice special education teachers' knowledge of digital citizenship;
(b) improve their ability to teach digital citizenship skills and make that instruction accessible; and,
(c) integrate digital citizenship skills in both individualized education programs and transition plans.

Presenters

Kim Fisher

Assistant Professor, Illinois State University

Kim Fisher is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at Illinois State University. She studies how social networks and social capital promote community participation and social inclusion for adolescents and young adults with IDD and the role access to information... Read More →

Julian Wang

SABE

Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
3RD Floor - Storyville Hall Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Poster Presentations

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Technology
Key Words Technology, Digital Citizenship, Curriculum