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

Supporting Educators to Make Equitable Instructional Decisions For All Students

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 5B

The 2015 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as ESSA, includes a 1% cap on state-level participation rates in the alternate assessment. Enforcement of this policy has required many states to revisit their alternate assessment participation criteria and implementation. Through engaging in processes to decrease alternate assessment participation, states have reported some push back from teachers as they navigate how to design effective school programming for students who have switched from the alternate to the general state assessment. State and district leaders need resources to support educators who are serving students who have shifted from the alternate assessment to general assessment. This presentation will showcase a series of newly-developed, research-based free resources that states, districts, and schools can use to ensure that all students with disabilities have equitable access to rigorous learning - no matter what assessment they take.

Moderators

Jessica Bowman

Research Associate, TIES Center, University of Minnesota

inclusive education, systems change, mathematics education

Presenters

Gail Ghere

Research Associate, TIES Center/ NCEO, University of Minnesota

Jennifer Sommerness

Researcher, TIES Center, UMN, Minneapolis, MN

Jennifer Sommerness is a distinguished educator and researcher at the TIES Center, at the University of Minnesota. She is known for her dedication to inclusive education and student success, with a profound commitment to educational equity. Jennifer has played a role in shaping the... Read More →

Yi-Chen Wu

Research Associate, National Center on Educational Outcomes / University of Minnesota

Dr. Wu is an experienced psychometrician and the statistical expert for the National Center on Educational Outcomes. She has been working with large-scale assessment data since 2000. She has also had experience on analyzing state-wide assessment datasets and different types of da... Read More →

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

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Inclusive Instruction, Data-Based Decision Making, High Expectations, General Education Classroom
Presentation Type General

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