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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This workshop brings together national experts in creating a sustainable inclusive and equitable education system. This deep work requires a multi-level, multi-year focus on systemic and structural barriers that maintain current practices. While research such as implementation and improvement science offer strong structural guidance, the nuances and context of different states, districts, and schools require some individualization of approaches. Panelists will share research, best practices, and tools related to creating sustainable change while discussing differences in our approaches and options. High-level and practical insight will be shared in this highly interactive session.
This presentation brings together national leaders in the field of system change. Christine Betchel, Jessica Bowman, Meghan Cosier, Patricia McDaid, Effie McMillian, Michael McSheehan, Diane Ryndak, Kurt Schneider, and Debbie Taub have been engaged with system change work throughout their careers. While there will be prepared materials and shared content, this colloquium allows for opportunities similar to a panel discussion to showcase the range of work, areas of focus, and different approaches to change. This will be an interactive session though there are specific times for audience questions..
Introduction to the topic (30 min) Mini-case studies by each participant related to their work (1.5 hours total) Commentary on big-picture levers and areas of agreement (30 min) Panelist questions and discussion related to contextual differences (1 hour) Audience questions (20 min)
Panelists will share case studies from their work to highlight contextualized levers and barriers in planning for and implementing sustainable systemic change. Key resources will be shared with participants. The goal of this colloquium is a lively discussion filled with practical guidance, debate, and audience engagement.
Michael McSheehan’s life work has been at the intersection of disability and K-12 education. During his twenty years at the University of New Hampshire, he worked on projects for assistive technology, inclusive education, alternate assessment, RTI & PBIS, and MTSS. Michael helped... Read More →
Kurt A. Schneider, Ph.D. is in his ninth year as Superintendent of TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804, in Highland Park, Illinois. Under his direction, the educational cooperative works in partnership with 18 local school districts to meet the needs of diverse learners through... Read More →
This colloquium centers youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex support needs as essential research partners within six participatory research projects, including inclusive research, participatory action research, community-based participatory research, and youth participatory action research. Each research team embodies the processes and principles of participatory research by how they center and amplify youth and adult experiences and perspectives to influence the policies, practices, scholarship, and systems that impact them most. Authentic equity, justice, access, and inclusion cannot be actualized without the epistemic agency of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex support needs. This session calls for more participatory research controlled by them from theorization to dissemination.
This proposed four-hour session consists of 6 research paper presentations that will last 25 minutes each. We will reserve 10 minutes total for the session chair’s introduction and closing as well as 10 minutes for discussant remarks. There will also be a 10 minute break. This allows for 10 minutes for questions/discussion, dialogue/resource sharing with attendees after each presentation.
5 minutes: Introduction to the overall session and speakers, Colloquium Chair – Hasan Ko
25 minutes: “What Matters Most to Adults with Disabilities in Their Daily Lives: A Nationwide Project” - Paul Betz, Thomas Caswell, Whitley Daper, David Frye, Jess Kilpeck, Hasan Ko, Mark Utter, Nicole Villemaire, Emily Anderson, and Amanda Miller 10 minutes: Questions and discussion
25 minutes: “Participatory Action Research on the Service Planning Experiences of Massachusetts Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” – Anne Fracht and Hezzy Smith 10 minutes: Questions and discussion
25 minutes: “Person Centered Planning and Home Community-Based Services on the Move” – David Taylor, Chaquetta Stuckey, and Anne Fracht 10 minutes: Questions and discussion
10 minutes: Break
25 minutes: “Collaborating With And Promoting Youth Voices in Research With Youth With Cerebral Palsy Who Do Not Speak And Who Use AAC” – Ramona Schwartz-Johnston 10 minutes: Questions and discussion
25 minutes: “Applying Inclusive Methods to Shed Light on the COVID-19 Pandemic Experiences of Group Home Residents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Massachusetts” – Anne Fracht and Hezzy Smith 10 minutes: Questions and discussion
25 minutes: “Working Together as an Inclusive Team” – Pauline Bosma and Oscar Hughes 10 minutes: Questions and discussion
10 minutes: Remarks, Discussant – Amanda L. Miller
The Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network (IPTN) is a dynamic, systems-level effort to eliminate exclusionary practices for all students in Washington state, with a focus students experiencing the most exclusion. While many students with disabilities have benefited from Washington's increased investment in inclusionary practices, state data show that Black students and students with IDD are still disproportionately excluded from general education. The IPTN is committed to addressing these inequities by explicitly targeting systems and practices that limit choice and opportunity these students. By braiding federal IDEA and state special education funds, IPTN has co-constructed a collaborative of statewide professional organizations to support inclusionary outcomes focusing systems changes in service of students furthest from educational justice. IPTN is more than a network of providers; it's a transformative force shaping the future of inclusive instructional leadership.
Executive Director of Special Education, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Dr. Cassie Martin is WA state’s Executive Director of Special Education at OSPI. For over 25 years, Cassie has dedicated her professional life and learning to equitable and inclusive education for students with disabilities in support of strong educational outcomes for all students... Read More →
State developmental disability systems provide critical supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But, many people with autism and medically fragile children may not qualify for services. Hear how North Dakota is partnering with self-advocates and families to redefine their approach to supports through the lens of the All.
This presentation explores a school district's systemic efforts to implement inclusive education practices for students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN) starting from kindergarten. The research highlights the strategic use of natural transitions, such as the entry into kindergarten, as pivotal moments for initiating systemic change. The study is framed by the Quality Implementation Framework (QIF) and implementation science, offering a structured approach to examining and enacting systemic changes. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with district administrators, teachers, and parents; observations of kindergarten classrooms; and analysis of district policy documents and meeting minutes. This comprehensive approach allowed for an in-depth examination of the systemic changes implemented and their impact on the inclusion of students with ESN. Attendees will gain practical strategies and insights to promote inclusive practices within their own contexts.
Navigating the educational landscape for my children and advocating for other students with I/DD has been fraught with systemic barriers that perpetuate segregation and limit academic opportunities. As a parent and advocate for inclusive education, I've witnessed discriminatory practices that funnel students with I/DD into reductive life skills paths based solely on their disability classification, denying them an academic education. Drawing from personal experiences, I aim to unveil the harsh realities and challenges in advocating for inclusive education within a system that defaults to low expectations for students with I/DD. The exclusionary experiences of these students are masked within data presented to the California Department of Education (CDE) and other State Departments of Education, perpetuating invisibility and marginalization. My presentation will shed light on these issues and offer actionable insights and strategies from years of advocacy efforts.
Connecting communities and systems create a dynamic approach to Bridge, Disrupt, and Build. Prioritizing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a focus on multicultural backgrounds and languages. Bringing forth perspectives and knowledge through the stories of themselves, caregivers, parents, and service providers. Recognizing that without connection, we can't make change; strengthening collaboration and building healthy partnerships so that individuals within the special education system can access learning, relationships, and opportunities to create a strong future for themselves.
Multi-tiered systems of support inclusive of students with extensive support needs are receiving increased attention as researchers point to improved outcomes and opportunities in general education contexts for students with disabilities. I synthesized 21 studies from 2014 to 2024 which included a review of assumptions and contextual factors either recommended or identified in the literature as factors associated with implementation of inclusive multi-tiered systems of support. Assumptions included beliefs, values, visions, and culture as well as family and community perspectives. Contextual factors included policy and leadership supportive of inclusive practices for students with extensive support needs.
Behavior support services are a core service in most IDD waivers. However, while many states use common terminology and concepts, there is wide variance in the availability and intensity of services, and many people with IDD remain underserved. To evaluate the current landscape of behavior support services, ASAN conducted a review of available literature and interviewed informants with professional expertise and lived experience receiving services. We will present our findings and policy proposals for ensuring that our behavior support systems meet the needs of IDD individuals as outlined in our policy paper, Beyond Coercion and Institutionalization: People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Need for Improved Behavior Support Services available at https://autisticadvocacy.org/2024/05/beyond-coercion-and-institutionalization/
This presentation explores the critical importance of overcoming challenges and resistance to systemic change in schools to advance inclusion. It delves into common barriers hindering progress towards inclusive education, such as lack of awareness, fear of change, and resource constraints. Through a combination of strategies, including education, collaboration, resource management, leadership, and advocacy, this presentation provides insights into how educators and administrators can effectively navigate these challenges. By examining case studies, engaging in interactive discussions, and outlining action plans, participants will leave with practical tools and knowledge to drive positive change and foster inclusive school environments.
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.
