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

Paraprofessionals' Role in Job Coaching For Students with ESN

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 12

Students with extensive support needs (ESN) often participate in community-based work experiences (CBWEs) as part of their transition programming. CBWEs allow students to experience real work while they are still in school. Students with ESN often benefit from the support of a paraprofessional to meaningfully participate in CBWEs. In this role, paraprofessionals are essentially acting as a â€œjob coach,â€ a central feature of supported employment for adults with disabilities. While paraprofessionals can play an integral role in studentsâ€™ ability to access CBWEs, little research had been conducted on their role with these experiences and how they support students with ESN in this capacity. This presentation will share findings and practical implications from a research study aimed at understanding paraprofessionalsâ€™ role in job coaching for students with ESN and practices that paraprofessionals utilize to support students at community worksites.

Presenters

Hannah Brenner

Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 12 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Extensive Support Needs, Community-Based Work Experiences, Paraprofessional, Job Coach, Transition to Work
Presentation Type Research

3:25pm CST

Key Components of Successful Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 12

As agencies staffed by people with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are uniquely positioned to provide effective pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS). During this session presenters from Able South Carolina (Able SC) and the Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC) will share how Centers for Independent Living (CILs) can collaborate with state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies and schools to deliver comprehensive pre-ETS, empowering youth and strengthening communities. We will review how the disability rights and independent living movements have shaped the cultural landscape and address five key components of effective transition services: collaboration, accessibility, individualization, disability pride, and problem-solving. Successful transitions benefit the entire community, including businesses, families, and individuals, by promoting a more inclusive workforce and society.

Moderators

Megan Ketchell

Project Manager, Disability Employment TA Center, The Lewin Group, Part of Optum Serve

Presenters

Diana Caldwell

Managing Director, The Lewin Group

Troy Hall

Able South Carolina

Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 12 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Transition, Employment, Accessibility, Pre-Employment, Transition Services, Ableism
Presentation Type General

3:25pm CST

Qualifications, Responsibilities, Training, and Supervision of Paraprofessional Job Coaches

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 5D

Paraprofessionals are increasingly serving as job coaches at community-based work sites. In this session we share findings from a study that explored the qualifications and responsibilities of job coaches who are employed by schools, the training these job coaches receive to perform their job, and the role of school professionals in directing the activities of job coaches. Discussion will focus on how we can continue to enhance the role, training, and supervision of job coaches who are employed by schools to improve employment outcomes for students with extensive support needs.

Moderators

Stacy Dymond

Professor, University of Illinois

Stacy Dymond is professor of special education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on curriculum issues related to educating secondary and transition-age students with severe intellectual disabilities in inclusive school and community settings... Read More →

Presenters

Hannah Brenner

Magen Rooney-Kron

Assistant Professor, University of Missouri, St. Louis

Magen is an assistant professor of inclusive education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Her research focuses on the inclusion of students with significant support needs in work-based learning experiences.

Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 5D Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Employment
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Job Coaches, Employment, Work Experiences, Transition
Presentation Type Research

4:35pm CST

Effective Transition Planning For Employment and Independence

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 5D

This presentation offers evidence-based solutions to bridge the significant gap between current practices and best practices in transition planning for adult independence, job skills, self-advocacy, technology, and post-secondary education. By adopting a growth mindset with strengths-based approach to student-centered transition planning, schools can effectively implement the practical steps detailed in our Transition Matrix. Steps are designed to enhance potential for personal fulfillment, employment, financial stability, independence, and community integration. Participants will receive a comprehensive road map for transition planning. Willâ€™s personal journey from school to employment is a powerful testament to the impact of supportive interventions. His experience underscores challenges students face in being recognized as productive members of society. With tools and supports from LSU PAYCheck program, Will successfully secured competitively integrated employment.

Presenters

Tracy O'Donnell

Louisiana UCEDD

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

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Equity, Inclusion, Opportunity, Post-Secondary Education, Competitive Integrated Employment, Transition, Person-Centered, Strengths-Based Approach, Growth Mindset, Community
Presentation Type General

5:45pm CST

Career and Technology Education Micro-Credentials in Co-Taught Classes

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

3RD Floor - Storyville Hall

This session will review a Career and Technical Education (CTE) microcredential pilot project in Indiana in both Early Childhood and Automechanics Pathways. These microcredentials were created using industry standards so that they can be utilized so students with disabilities can earn microcredentials of skillsets. The microcredentials can be utilized by students as part of portfolio requirements for the Indiana alternate diploma and to obtain future employment, as the student will be able to list the microcredentials on their resumes and present them to future employers. We will discuss literature that supports microcredentials for students with disabilities, the microcredential design process, and future steps.

Presenters

Mary Pearson

Indiana University

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 Employment
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Competitive Employment, Career and Technical Education, Inclusion, Cotaught, Microcredentials

5:45pm CST

Parent Perspectives on Post-School Employment

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

3RD Floor - Storyville Hall

Transitioning from childhood to adulthood is a major life event. For parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) the process may seem especially challenging. As parents consider their childâ€™s support needs, they may have concerns and questions about post-school options, including options related to employment. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) team therefore plays an important role in helping to connect parents with the information they need to support their childâ€™s transition to adulthood.

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 Employment
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Employment, Parent Perspectives, Transition to Work

5:45pm CST

The Black Box of Collaboration: Preliminary Qualitative Results

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

3RD Floor - Storyville Hall

Policy requirements and incentives emphasize interagency collaboration (IDEA, 2004; WIOA, 2014). Despite evidence of interagency collaboration improving postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities, there are noted challenges in collaboration (Saleh et al., 2019). Difficulties exist despite the prevalence of conceptual interagency collaboration models (Kwiatek et al., 2023). Reconceptualizing research on interagency collaboration to emphasize collaboration theory will provide new insights into the process of interagency collaboration that may better address barriers to interagency collaboration (Thomson & Perry, 2006; Wood & Gray,1991). An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using collaboration theory. Vocational rehabilitation counselors in Central Illinois were asked to describe the process of collaboration in the provision of school-to-work employment-focused transition services. The results of the exploratory study are discussed.

Presenters

David George Strauser

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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 Employment
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Interagency Collaboration, Collaboration Theory, Transition, Employment, Vocational Rehabilitation

4:15pm CST

Building Meaningful Lives: Putting People on A Pathway for Success

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST

4TH Floor - Imperial 10

What makes our lives meaningful is based on our interests, values, and life experiences. Leaving school can be an overwhelming time for students with disabilities and their families. Teachers play a critical role in helping students manage this transition and ensuring post-school success. Supporting young adults with disabilities in meaningful ways requires services that are built-to-order based on individual dreams and circumstances. Providing customized services and connecting people to their community requires a different approach outside of program planning by moving to service delivery. Building individualized schedules, juggling supports and managing field-based teams can be complicated. This presentation will focus on strategies to develop person-centered services in real world settings that support employment, meaningful community inclusion and positive post-school outcomes.

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 10 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Meaningful Lives, Competitive Integrated Employment
Presentation Type General

4:15pm CST

Work-Based Learning: Practical Strategies For Job Development and Establishing Community Worksites For Transition Aged Youth

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST

4TH Floor - Imperial 11

Developing worksites for students with disabilities in the community is not an easy feat. You'll leave this workshop with strategies on how to develop job opportunities and explore potential worksites in your community. The session will address practical strategies for identifying job sites, connecting with businesses, evaluating the appropriateness of a potential worksite, and securing school-business partnerships.

Presenters

Melanie Phelan

Training Specialist, Illinois Center for Transition and Work - UIUC

I am a training specialist for the Illinois Center for Transition and Work at the University of Illinois. My background is mostly in transition to work for people with significant disabilities. I am passionate about finding paid employment for youth with disabilities where they can... Read More →

Jessica Sipovic

Training Specialist, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Jessica Sipovic is a training specialist for the Illinois Center for Transition and Work through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She has over 15 years of experience working with children and adults with diverse needs in school, home, and community settings. Most... Read More →

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Transition
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Transition, Transition to Employment, Work-Based Learning Experiences, Employment
Presentation Type General