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.

11:15am CST

Facilitating Transitions for Students with Severe Disabilities

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 12

This presentation will focus on facilitating successful transitions for students with severe disabilities from school to post-school environments. It highlights the importance of early, individualized transition planning, robust support systems, and community partnerships. Attendees will gain insights into evidence-based practices and implementing effective transition programs. The presenters will discuss transition challenges and barriers faced by adolescents with disabilities and their families. The presenters will focus on fostering collaborative relationships with families and community organizations and on multidisciplinary approaches for integrating educational, social, and community resources for holistic transition support.

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

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 →

Kristin Kew

New Mexico State University

Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 12 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Agency Transformation
Key Words Transition, Best practices, Barriers, Collaboration
Presentation Type General

5:45pm CST

Barriers to Regional Center Service Utilization For School-Aged Clients

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

3RD Floor - Storyville Hall

In this presentation, we will describe a mixed-methods research study completed in collaboration with a Southern California Regional Center. First, we will briefly discuss a secondary analysis of Regional Center client data which revealed significant under-utilization of allocated services for school-aged clients. Then, we will report on a series of focus groups conducted with parents/caregivers of school-aged children (5-22 years) eligible for regional center services. Primary questions for this inquiry focused on barriers and facilitators for service use for families of children with disabilities and how the regional center could improve service delivery to ensure best outcomes.

Presenters

Hilary Wu

PhD Student, UCLA

Robin Dodds

Associate Professor of Early Childhood Special Education, California State University LA

My primary research interests focus on supporting families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related Developmental Disabilities in two ways; through Parent to Parent social support and through parent-mediated interventions for social communication. Additionally... Read More →

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 Community Living
Themes of Interest Agency Transformation
Key Words Services, Parents and Caregivers, School-Aged Children, Focus Groups
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

Presenters

Kristin Kew

New Mexico State University

Sergio Madrid-Aranda

Assistant Professor, Augsburg University

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

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