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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3:00pm CST

How Saudi Parents of Students with ASD' Perceive the Transitional Plan Member

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 5C

Background: Implementation of transition plans for ASD students is crucial for their growth and development. Robust implementation of transition plans helps in minimizing barriers to opportunities such as education, employment, and other training services needed for the prosperity of ASD students. Accordingly, parents' participation and engagement in transition services is crucial as it help in delivering person-centered transition services. However, there is a lack of evidence on how parents of ASD students perceive the level of responsibility of transitional partners in implementing transition plans in Saudi Arabia Methods: A quantitative study design was used to gather information and report on the study's purpose. Data was collected from a sample of 469 parents of ASD students in Riyadh (n=243) and Makkah (n=226) regions of Saudi Arabia. A 5-point Likert scale survey tool was used in data collection. Descriptive analysis was used to measure parentsâ€™ perception and rank the level

Presenters

Salman Almughyiri

Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 5C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Transition to Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Transition, Autism, Parents, Implementation
Presentation Type Research

3:00pm CST

Putting it All Together: Self-Determination, Decision-Making, Communication

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 5A

How can people with disabilities have access to a life on an equal basis with others without access to autonomy, communication and an ability to control their environment? Civil rights policy, legislation, and regulations mean very little without access to these basic principles and tools. Join us to learn how our Supported Decision-Making Project (SDM) discovered that supporting young folks to develop skills in one of these areas was mutually reinforcing in all areas. Gaining decision-making skills brings employment opportunities, greater social connections and higher self-esteem. SDM is an important component of a self-directed and self-determined life. Hear from young people with disabilities how attaining the role of â€˜decision-makerâ€™ required and relied upon the growth and development of additional skills. In addition, we will show that improvements in access to communication and other assistive technology can positively impact decision making abilities.

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 →

Eric Naindouba

I DECIDE GA

Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 5A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Supported Decision-Making
Key Words Capacity Building for Inclusion, Communication Access, High Expectations, Self-Determination, Self Advocacy
Presentation Type General

4:15pm CST

Building Meaningful Lives: Putting People on A Pathway for Success

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 10

What makes our lives meaningful is based on our interests, values, and life experiences. Leaving school can be an overwhelming time for students with disabilities and their families. Teachers play a critical role in helping students manage this transition and ensuring post-school success. Supporting young adults with disabilities in meaningful ways requires services that are built-to-order based on individual dreams and circumstances. Providing customized services and connecting people to their community requires a different approach outside of program planning by moving to service delivery. Building individualized schedules, juggling supports and managing field-based teams can be complicated. This presentation will focus on strategies to develop person-centered services in real world settings that support employment, meaningful community inclusion and positive post-school outcomes.

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 10 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Meaningful Lives, Competitive Integrated Employment
Presentation Type General

4:15pm CST

Impacts of A First Year Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Program

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 12

This presentation will provide an overview of the first year of a new inclusive post-secondary education (IPSE) program on a university campus, including the experiences of IPSE students, peer mentors, university instructors, and program directors.

Moderators

Kelli Sanderson

Assistant Professor of Special Education, California State University Long Beach

Hello! My name is Kelli Sanderson. I am an Assistant Professor of Special Education at California State University, Long Beach. I am also coordinator of the Special Education graduate program and the Applied Disability Studies certificate. I am focused on advocacy and collaboration... Read More →

Presenters

Mia Real

California State University Long Beach

Lia Rivera

Christopher Contreras

Lizeth Valentin

California State University Long Beach

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 12 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Intellectual Disabilities, Inclusive Education, Post-Secondary Education
Presentation Type Research

4:15pm CST

Preparing Students with ID for College Programs: Key Skills and Practices

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 5C

Students with ID are increasingly attending post secondary (college) programs that provide opportunities for academic, social and vocational growth and success. The students enter these programs with varying degrees of independence and academic skills, and are exiting both self-contained and inclusive high school programs. This research examines, from the the perspectives of college students with ID, their parents, regional transition coordinators, and high school special education teachers, what the transition process that led to enrollment in a post-secondary education program looked like. Further, college students, and their parents were asked what skills acquired in high school most prepared them for the expectations of a college program. These data will be presented in addition to suggestions for teachers and families on how to best support transition aged students and their families when preparing for postsecondary education programs.

Presenters

James Johnson

Saint Jospeh's University

Mollie Sheppard

Associate Professor, Saint Joseph's University

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 5C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Post-Secondary Inclusive Programs, Transition From High School
Presentation Type Research

4:15pm CST

Work-Based Learning: Practical Strategies For Job Development and Establishing Community Worksites For Transition Aged Youth

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 11

Developing worksites for students with disabilities in the community is not an easy feat. You'll leave this workshop with strategies on how to develop job opportunities and explore potential worksites in your community. The session will address practical strategies for identifying job sites, connecting with businesses, evaluating the appropriateness of a potential worksite, and securing school-business partnerships.

Presenters

Melanie Phelan

Training Specialist, Illinois Center for Transition and Work - UIUC

I am a training specialist for the Illinois Center for Transition and Work at the University of Illinois. My background is mostly in transition to work for people with significant disabilities. I am passionate about finding paid employment for youth with disabilities where they can... Read More →

Jessica Sipovic

Training Specialist, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Jessica Sipovic is a training specialist for the Illinois Center for Transition and Work through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She has over 15 years of experience working with children and adults with diverse needs in school, home, and community settings. Most... Read More →

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Transition, Transition to Employment, Work-Based Learning Experiences, Employment
Presentation Type General