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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8:45am CST

Addressing Health Self-Management for Learners with Extensive Support Needs

Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST

4TH Floor - Imperial 5A

This presentation will address health self-management skill domains and strategies to teach learners with extensive support needs (ESN) how to actively participate in their specialized health care at school. The development of health self-management skills promotes health wellness, independence, and positive self-image in students with ESN, as well as positive perceptions of social competency on behalf of peers and adults without disabilities. Research shows that individuals with ESN who acquire health self-management skills are also likelier to achieve positive adult outcomes in education, independent living, and employment. These promising adult outcomes also support inclusion in post-school life. Presentation participants will learn (a) the scope of health self-management skills for learners with ESN and specialized health care, (b) IEP teaming around health self-management, (c) developing IEP goals centered on safe and feasible participation, and (d) core instructional strategies.

Presenters

Sarah Ballard

Illinois State University

Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 5A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest High Expectations
Key Words Health Self-Management, Extensive Support Needs, Specialized Health Care, Collaboration, Instruction
Presentation Type General

8:45am CST

Leveraging Feedback From Autistic Adults to Develop A Healthcare App

Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST

2ND Floor - Foster 2

Autistic individuals are more likely to have co-occurring health conditions and experience a cascade of health disparities compared to those who are not autistic. While ample research continues to be conducted to decrease disparities, it often is done without the input from autistic individuals. In this qualitative study, we interviewed 15 autistic adults to explore how a healthcare services app could be adapted for autistic adults. Overall, participants agreed that a healthcare services app specific to autistic adults could be beneficial. In addition, participants provided feedback on the types of healthcare services, filter options, and software features in the app. Implications for research and practice will be discussed.

Moderators

Megan Best

PhD Student in Special Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champagin

Presenters

Meghan Burke

Vanderbilt University

RaeAnn Lindsay

Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
2ND Floor - Foster 2 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest Technology
Key Words Autism, Healthcare, Technology, User-Centered Design, Advocacy
Presentation Type Research

8:45am CST

Make Sure Your Life Is Worth Watching!

Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin G

One Day Your Life Will Flash Before Your Eyes. Make Sure It's Worth Watching! By envision your life as though you are the star of a show, this interactive session will take self-advocates on a journey of dramatic structure that parallels real life as you identify the roles you play and responsibilities you have; choose your co-stars and cast; pick your settings; develop soundtracks; and manifest your future through the commercials in your mind. The roller coaster of life is a never-ending series of important stories that you have the power to write, direct, and star in.

Presenters

Aaron Stephens

The Arc of Frederick County

Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest Self-Determination
Key Words Self-Advocacy; Self-Determination; Empowerment; Creativity
Presentation Type General

10:00am CST

Securing The Future: Visions, Decisions, and Advocacy

Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST

4TH Floor - Imperial 5A

Developing a clear, positive vision for the future is a powerful tool for guiding young adults toward a full and meaningful life. In this session, we’ll explore how to use Supported Decision-Making, self-advocacy, and self-determination skills to navigate pathways to adulthood. We’ll discuss practical strategies for transition planning under IDEA and how to use these supports to foster independence and success. Emphasizing belonging, community participation, and valued roles, we’ll provide actionable tips to help young people build confidence and take an active role in shaping their own lives.

Moderators

Leslie Lipson

Educational Equity Strategist and Attorney, Georgia Coalition for Equity in Education (GCEE)

Leslie Lipson is an attorney and a self-described inclusionista. She has been deeply involved in advocacy for and with people with disabilities for over 20 years and currently offers advocacy solutions using general educational and special education law, from a values-based foundation... Read More →

Presenters

Dana Lloyd

DD Program Director, Georgia Advocacy Office

Dana Lloyd has been engaged in advocacy with people experiencing injustice on both a personal and professional level for over two decades. Dana currently serves as director of the Developmental Disabilities program at the Georgia Advocacy Office and coordinates the GA Supported Decision... Read More →

Katie Chandler

Consultant, Georgia Advocacy Office

Katie Chandler, a Project Consultant with Sangha Unity Network, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field as a direct support professional, advocate, supervisor, and consultant. In each role, Katie worked to ensure... Read More →

Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 5A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest Capacity Building for Inclusion
Key Words Supported Decision-Making, Transition, Vision, Autonomy, Education, Self-Advocacy, Self-Determination
Presentation Type General

3:00pm CST

Self-Advocacy and Healthy Relationships

Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C

So many things touch our lives as self-advocates. Members of Project ACTION!, DCâ€™s self-advocacy coalition, have learned that we can accomplish so much more when we work with partners. We are stronger together. In this session, you will get to hear from several members who have participated in a collaboration to ensure people with disabilities can get the access they need to be in healthy, safe relationships. Hear about the trainings they created and shared with other self-advocates to decide how they would be in relationships they choose, not their coordinator or manager. In this interactive session, presenters will talk about their experiences, what they have learned about getting the "love" they want, with audience discussio

Moderators

Tiffany Yuille

Project ACTION!

Presenters

Thomas Mangrum

Co-President, Project ACTION!

Thomas Mangrum, Jr., is a strong communicator and self-advocate who is passionate about helping others to be the best they can be. He loves learning new information and sharing it with other self-advocates, his friends and neighbors. He is an excellent presenter having trained locally... Read More →

Kara Jones

Executive Member, Project ACTION!

Kara Jones is a strong self-advocate and trained facilitator. She has presented locally and nationally on a variety of disability topics. She is a member of People on the Go and Project ACTION! She is also a member of the Women's Knowledge Group, a group of #ProjectPeer. #ProjectPeer... Read More →

Leonard Stevens

Project ACTION!

Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest Relationships & Sexuality
Key Words Relationships, Self-Advocacy, Person Centered, Rights, Sexuality, LGBTQ
Presentation Type General

4:15pm CST

Advocacy Around the World: Fionnathan Productions

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin A

An opportunity to meet and engage with Fionn & Jonathan Angus, who are Citizen Network Global Ambassadors and who will be panelists at the Saturday afternoon General Session on Advocacy Around the World; Fionnathan Productions "exists to have fun and change the world, to trouble our understanding of ability, to reveal superstars in our midst, and to prove that, in fact, we are people we've been waiting for."

Presenters

Fionn & Jonathan Angus

Co-CEOs, Fionnathan Productions

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Meetings

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Key Words Self-Advocates