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.

2:15pm CST

Navigating Inclusive College-Successes and Challenges

Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin F

This presentation documents the experiences of students with intellectual disabilities who participated in an inclusive college program in a university in western United States. The students will share their experiences in various classes, both academic and social. They will discuss the support provided by peer mentors, faculty, and other staff and the challenges they faced during their college experience. Additionally, they will offer their input to improve the program.

Presenters

Sudha Krishnan

Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education, San Jose State University

Sudha’s research is focused on how literacy practices using pedagogies based on socio-cultural theory like multiliteracies provide challenging and empowering education for students with disabilities. She is interested in interrogating the deficit thinking surrounding students with... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Inclusive College; Post Secondary Programs; Designing Support for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Presentation Type General

3:25pm CST

Prepare With Us: Self Advocates Educating Teacher Candidates

Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST

4TH Floor - Imperial 11

This presentation will describe study results from a recent research project. The purpose of this study was to examine how teacher candidates were impacted by learning from individuals with disabilities through a Self-Advocate Guest Presenter Series. After attending the semester-long Presenter Series, 17 teacher candidates shared their perspectives through semi-structured interviews. During this presentation, we will share the main themes that resulted from our analysis as well as future implications for research and practice.

Presenters

Amy Andersen

Associate Professor, Winona State University

Julia Snider

Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University

Julia is an assistant professor at Grand Valley State University. Julia’s passion is in promoting the meaningful inclusion of students with extensive support needs within the general education classroom through planning and preparing instruction. Her current research examines the... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Self-Advocacy, Teacher Preparation, Anti-Ableism, Perceptions
Presentation Type Research

4:35pm CST

Community Conversations: A Tool For Campus Collaboration, Inclusion and Action

Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST

4TH Floor - Imperial 11

One complexity of inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programming is fostering campus-wide collaboration to enhance inclusion. In response to this, the Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education (OIPE) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, has adapted and employed the World Cafe Model as a formidable tool to facilitate community conversations. The World Cafe Model brings together stakeholders to explore a current barrier, elicit solutions, and potential action steps. During this presentation, OIPE will describe how they facilitate these community conversations, ensure inclusive representation, and share outcomes of key community conversations around employment, academic engagement, and inclusive practices in Title IX and Conduct processes on campus.

Moderators

April Regester

Department Chair, Associate Professor - Inclusive Education, University of Missouri, St. Louis

Presenters

Sharon Spurlock

Director of Family Supports & Quality Enhancement, St. Louis Arc

I'm passionate about helping self-advocates and family create the lives they dream about. I believe that my work is enhanced by an ability to listen deeply and build trusting relationships. I like to talk about family supports, self-determination, post-secondary education, peer supports... Read More →

Jonathan Lidgus

Director of Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education, University of Missouri - St. Louis

Lindsay Athamanah

Assistant Professor, University of Missouri - St. Louis

Katelend Davis

University of Missouri - St. Louis

Cooper Howard

Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Inclusive, Post-Secondary Education, Community, Conversations, Collaboration
Presentation Type General

4:35pm CST

Reimagining Teacher Preparation: Forging A New Path

Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin G

The stagnant rate of inclusion placements for students with significant support needs remains alarming. Teacher educators play an essential role in preparing teacher candidates to shift outdated practices and implement inclusive practices. As teacher educators, we experience numerous barriers in preparing teacher candidates (Olson & Roberts, 2017). However, teacher educators must be creative and resilient as they work to persist past barriers (Olson & Roberts, 2020). Instead of focusing on the barriers, we sought to envision another way to prepare teacher candidates. The purpose of this study was to learn about what special education teacher educators can do in their role to help shift how teacher candidates are being prepared to include students with significant support needs in K-12 schools. We conducted a focus group with special education teacher educators, who are new to teacher preparation, to gauge their perspectives on avenues for change and steps to get there.

Presenters

Amy Andersen

Associate Professor, Winona State University

Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin G Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Teacher Preparation, Inclusion, Systems Change
Presentation Type Research

5:45pm CST

Employment Preparation Activities Across Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programs

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

3RD Floor - Storyville Hall

We conducted a survey examining the effective strategies for promoting employment readiness among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) attending inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs. Analysis of data from 59 programs reveals the importance of person-centered planning and specialized instruction. However, while paid employment significantly predicts post-graduation success, only a minority of programs offer these opportunities. Collaboration with vocational agencies and career centers is also vital, yet partnerships are lacking in many programs. Addressing these gaps in support can significantly contribute to facilitating successful transitions from postsecondary education to meaningful employment for individuals with I/DD.

Presenters

Amy Clausen

Assistant Professor, Winthrop University

Dr. Amy Clausen (she/her) is an assistant professor of special education at Winthrop University. Her focus is preparing teachers of students with extensive support needs. Amy is committed to ensuring her students have access to literature featuring diverse and representative char... 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 Transition
Themes of Interest Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Inclusive Postsecondary Education, Employment Readiness, Survey

8:45am CST

Celebrating Our Autonomy As We Transition to Post-Secondary Education

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

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin B

Inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) is now a transitional opportunity for many students with intellectual/developmental disabilities. ThinkCollege, a national technical assistance, research, and evaluation center dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving higher education options for students with intellectual disability, now recognizes over 325 programs across the United States that provide these educational experiences. Transitioning to college from an IEP supported K-12 experience, students and families strive to engage in valued ways in higher education by finding the right fit of program for the interests and desires of the potential students and their families. Getting it "right" by preparing well during high school, growing in autonomous ways and developing a growth mindset are key. This session celebrates evidence of effectiveness for IPSE enfleshed with the experiences of a family and its members who qualify for IPSE sharing their preparation strategies.

Presenters

Ann Marie Licata

Assistant Professor, Millersville University

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

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Transition, Inclusive Post-Secondary Education, Families, Self-Advocacy
Presentation Type General

11:15am CST

Letting Their Voice Be Heard: Student Government and Campus Involvement For Students with IDD

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 10

Self-advocacy and participation in student clubs and organizations for students with IDD in inclusive postsecondary education is vital to their experience, just as it is for college students without IDD. However, with the historically recent inclusion of students with IDD in postsecondary education, our knowledge of campus involvement, particularly in student government, is limited. The purpose of this session is to give voice to a student with and a student without IDD to share their experiences working together to create meaningful change and documented gains in access for students with IDD on a large Southern public four-year campus. This session hopes to empower participants with key skills and information to support students with IDD to get involved, engaged, and included on their campuses.

Moderators

Jeremy Reid

Presenters

Aubrei Grisaffe

Alison Durie

Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 10 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Inclusive Post-Secondary Education, Self-Advocacy, Community Access, Higher Education, Student Government
Presentation Type General

3:00pm CST

Rolling with Inclusion: IPSE Perspectives From Students with IDD

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 8

Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (or IDD) have most recently been welcomed into the halls of institutions of higher education (or IHEs) thanks in part to the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. As the research agenda begins to blossom, the most critical voices to include are those of the students entering the halls of IHEs â€“ students with IDD. Two students enrolled in an IPSE at a major IHE in the southeastern United States will lead a discussion on their experience, what they have learned on their college campus, and how they apply their experiences in inclusive spaces daily. The conversation will cover academics, employment, independent living, community access, and recreation/leisure activities. Participants should be prepared for a fun, lively, and engaging conversation with students!

Moderators

Jeremy Reid

Presenters

Alison Durie

Graciela Copes

Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 8 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Post-Secondary Education
Key Words Inclusive Post-Secondary Education, Advocacy, Community Access, Higher Education
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