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

All It Could Be? Parent Perceptions of Advocacy and Collaboration

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 11

Family involvement in their childrenâ€™s education results in positive student outcomes and is structured by the parent participation and consent mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, there are well-documented inequities in participation and collaboration between culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families (e.g., multilingual immigrant families) and school personnel, as well as an overarching sense by families that interactions with school personnel are adversarial rather than collaborative. As a result, implementation of IDEA has resulted in an expectation of advocacy rather than participation. This advocacy expectation perpetuates cultural inequities and overburdens families during the special education process. This study examined family perceptions of special education procedures, interactions with school personnel and legislators, and their own advocacy through 17 focus groups with 72 parents/caregivers of children with disabilities.

Presenters

Zach Rossetti

Associate Professor, Boston University

Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Special Education in the Teaching and Learning Department at Boston University's Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. His research examines the social belonging and participation of people with intellectual and developmental... Read More →

Meghan Burke

Vanderbilt University

Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Family Support
Key Words Family Advocacy, Parent Participation, Family-Professional Collaboration, Individualized Education Program
Presentation Type Research

8:45am CST

Empowering Diverse Families and Students Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Inclusion

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

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin H

Promoting inclusion for students with extensive support needs, particularly those with disabilities from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, is crucial. Successful inclusion involves effective interdisciplinary collaboration among professionals and families. We interviewed professionals from diverse fields such as family advocacy, education, psychology, and speech-language pathology. These individuals participated in the Northern California LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program, which aims to train leaders, educate community providers, and conduct research to promote systemic change. Participants have experience supporting a wide range of families and students as a collaborative team. Our goal was to identify factors contributing to successful inclusion for these families and students. We will focus on identifying facilitators and barriers to inclusion, and additional supports and training that professionals believe are necessary.

Presenters

Jean Gonsier-Gerdin

Professor, Teaching Credentials-Special Education, California State University, Sacramento

Gospel Kim

Baylor University

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

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Intersectionality, Linguistically and Culturally Diverse, Inclusive Education
Presentation Type Research

10:00am CST

Empowering School Leaders: Championing Inclusion and Belonging For Students

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

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin A

The number of students in special education has steadily risen, reaching 7.3 million in 2021-22 under IDEA. This growth emphasizes the need for skilled school administrators to address diverse learning needs. Special education leadership entails managing systems, ensuring compliance, promoting inclusivity, and improving outcomes. Effective leadership correlates with better academic and social results for students with disabilities. The presenters will discuss how through collaborative partnerships, advocacy, and the cultivation of inclusive school cultures, school leaders can enact systemic change, dismantle barriers and create environments where every student, irrespective of ability, feels a profound sense of belonging with a focus on practices tailored for students with severe disabilities and their families.

Moderators

Yvonne Moreno

College Assistant Professor, New Mexico State University

Yvonne Moreno, PhD is a College Assistant Professor at New Mexico State University. She believes that all individuals regardless of their exceptionalities must have a right to the self-actualization of their goals and aspirations. This belief has guided her education, career, and... Read More →

Presenters

Kristin Kew

New Mexico State University

Sergio Madrid-Aranda

Assistant Professor, Augsburg University

Sergio Madrid-Aranda is an Assistant Professor at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN. He earned his PhD in Special Bilingual Education, focusing on autism spectrum disorders, from New Mexico State University. He collaborates with Murcia University in Spain as a research associate... Read More →

Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Agency Transformation
Key Words Leadership, Inclusion, Belongingness, Advocacy, Partnerships, Collaboration
Presentation Type General

10:00am CST

Let's Collaborate: Strategies For Authentic Partnerships in Inclusive Education

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

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin B

When students with extensive support needs are included in general education, it is essential that educators engage in authentic and ongoing collaboration. In this session, two general educators and their special educator co-teaching partner will share the benefits and components of authentic collaboration, key strategies and tools they utilize to support collaboration, how they find joy and have fun in their partnerships, and how to advocate for administrative support and accountability to promote shared ownership. Let the good times roll!

Moderators

Amy Hanreddy

Associate Professor, Special Education, California State University, Northridge

Amy Hanreddy is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education at California State University, Northridge. She teaches about inclusive and collaborative practices, with an emphasis on strategies that provide students with disabilities access to meaningful instruction... Read More →

Presenters

Natalie O'Brien

CHIME Charter School

Alyson Furnback

Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin B Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Collaboration, Inclusive Education, Co-Teaching

10:00am CST

Vamos DC: Supporting the Latino Disability Community Living in DC

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

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin F

This session provides an overview of Vamos DC, a collaborative initiative between District of Columbia government agencies, community-based organizations, and community members to connect more Latino residents with disabilities to services that support community inclusion and positive life outcomes. Vamos DC arose as a community-led solution to the challenge that, although Latinos make up 11% of DC's population, they represented only 2% of those served by the Department on Disability Services (DDS) in 2018. Within four years of Vamos DC's establishment, the number of Latino individuals served by DDS doubled. To achieve these positive results, trust had to be fostered between government agencies and Latino community members, necessitating a power-sharing approach. This session emphasizes the importance of learning from both successes and failures in efforts to share power with communities. Honest feedback, garnered through trust-building efforts, is crucial for effective collaboration.

Moderators

Claire Simon

Presenters

Carla McCaskill

Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Diversity and Social Impact
Themes of Interest Family Support
Key Words Language-Access, Cultural-Competency, Power-Sharing, Community-Led, Collaboration
Presentation Type General

11:15am CST

Empowering Independence Through Guardianship Public Policy Reform

Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C

Guardianships, intended as protective measures, are often overused and overly restrictive, depriving individuals of autonomy and decision-making skills. This overreliance fails to recognize the potential of individuals with disabilities and overlooks less restrictive alternatives, such as supported decision-making. Guardianships can also allow entities like medical and service providers to avoid making reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. The Maine Protection and Advocacy Agency has spearheaded guardianship policy reform for over two decades, culminating in setting a national precedent by being the first to adopt the progressive 2017 Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act. This presentation will explore Maineâ€™s innovative strategies, offering insights and lessons. Attendees will understand the successes and challenges in advocating for less restrictive alternatives. Join us to contribute to the guardianship reform dialogue.

Presenters

Lauren Wille

Legal Director, Disability Rights Maine

Staci Converse

Disability Rights Maine

Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education, Human Rights
Themes of Interest Agency Transformation, Self-Determination
Key Words Advocacy, Belongingness, Collaboration, Inclusion, Leadership, Partnerships, Guardianship Reform, Autonomy, Self-Determination, Public Policy Systems Change, Civil Rights
Presentation Type General

11:15am CST

Making Systems Change in Personnel Preparation to Improve Inclusive Education

Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin G

This presentation will focus on the systems change efforts in the College of Education at one University, related to personnel preparation for general education and special education teachers, as well as multiple other school-related disciplines. We will provide the systematic steps taken to improve collaboration between preservice multiple and single subject general education teachers and the preservice education specialists with a focus on inclusive education prior to exiting their credential programs; and the creation of a course that all credential candidates take together. We will also provide the next steps taken in which all disciplines who work with students with disabilities in schools are involved in a strengths-based IEP meeting (parents and teachers, Ed leadership, school psychology, counseling, speech therapy, social work, nursing, etc.); what it has taken to get to this place; and the outcomes we are seeing as a result.

Moderators

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Systems Change
Key Words Systems Change, Personnel Preparation, Collaboration, Strengths-Based IEPs
Presentation Type General

2024 TASH Conference

8:45am CST

Sarah Ballard

8:45am CST

Zach Rossetti

Meghan Burke

8:45am CST

Jean Gonsier-Gerdin

Gospel Kim

10:00am CST

Yvonne Moreno

Kristin Kew

Sergio Madrid-Aranda

10:00am CST

Amy Hanreddy

Natalie O'Brien

Alyson Furnback

10:00am CST

Claire Simon

Carla McCaskill

11:15am CST

Lauren Wille

Staci Converse

11:15am CST

Jenna Porter

Kathy Gee

Cindy Collado

Jean Gonsier-Gerdin