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

Revisiting Equitable Opportunities to Learn

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

Foster 2

This session highlights new research on the importance of context in providing equitable opportunities to learn (OTL). Our original work highlighted how the concept of OTL in general education literature was missing components to ensure accessibility for students with disabilities. We proposed the use of Universal Design for Learning and attention to individualized needs within the OTL framework to better define access to the general curriculum and to consider the specific aspects of equitable learning opportunities to improve access and outcomes for students with complex support needs. While our original work alluded to context and placement, we did not address it directly. The updated OTL extends our understanding of how to advocate for inclusive practices by bringing together UDL 3.0 and new research on the importance of context for equitable learning opportunities.

Presenters

Megan Foster

Utica University

Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Foster 2 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Access, Inclusion, UDL, Equity, OTL
Presentation Type General

2:15pm CST

Preparing Teachers to Support Children Who Use AAC

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

Imperial 11

Preparing teachers to effectively support students with extensive support needs and complex communication needs who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) necessitates collaboration with speech pathologists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, parents, and families. Training should cover AAC methods, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, and practical experiences and should be taught through coursework and meaningful clinical experiences. Collaborative partnerships ensure educators gain insights into best practices and access resources, and ongoing professional development keeps teachers aware of current best practices. Cultivating a school culture that values diversity in communicative expression is crucial for creating inclusive learning environments where all students can thrive academically and socially.

Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 11 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Communication Access
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Communication Access, Teacher Peparation, Inclusion, Training
Presentation Type General

3:25pm CST

Inclusive Education Partnerships: Collaborating to Create Curriculum Access

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

Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C

This presentation will explore the development and implementation of a partnership between UNLVâ€™s Office of General Curriculum Access (OGCA) and the Nevada Department of Educationâ€™s Office of Inclusive Education (OIE). The collaboration aims to promote inclusive education by providing access to the general curriculum and a continuum of needed supports and services for students with extensive support needs. The OIE works to raise expectations and improve educational and employment outcomes for all students with disabilities through collaborative efforts with state and local partners. Through a partnership with the OIE, the OGCA provides educators with grade-aligned and standards-based curriculum materials, academic and behavioral support resources, and effective professional development. This session will share the challenges, strategies, and successes of the partnership and will provide attendees with actionable insights into creating similar collaborations in their own contexts.

Presenters

Joshua Baker

Professor/Researcher, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Educational and Clinical Studies

Julie Bowers

Catherine Bacos

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Collaboration, Inclusive Education, General Curriculum Access, Extensive Support Needs, Special Education
Presentation Type General

4:35pm CST

Involving Special Education Teachers in Math Research and Curriculum Development

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

Imperial 12

Teachers can play a vital role in curriculum development and refinement. This presentation highlights recent mixed methods research on a teacher-implemented multiplicative word problem-solving intervention for students with extensive support needs (ESN) in small groups. We examined the involvement of special education teachers in iterative curriculum development through a multi-year embedded experimental study. Using quantitative data from a multiple-baseline across classrooms single-case design and qualitative data from interviews and observations, we evaluated whether an established evidence-based practice remained effective when implemented by teachers in routine conditions and assessed its usability, feasibility, and acceptability. The presentation will share student outcomes but primarily focus on teachers' perceptions and roles in the research and curriculum development process.

Presenters

Jenny Root

Assistant Professor, Florida State University

Jenny would like to talk to you about general curriculum access, teaching math to students with autism/intellectual disability, and how teachers make instructional decisions for students with extensive support needs. Jenny was the 2015 TASH Alice Hayden award winner.

Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 12 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Math, Special Education Teacher, General Curriculum Access, Mixed Methods
Presentation Type Research

8:45am CST

Advancing Technology Access and Use for Augmentative/Alternative Communication

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

Imperial 5C

It is widely understood that communication in the 21st century involves the use of technology for a wide range of communication tasks and interactions. The use of email, texting, and other forms of digital communication is essential for participation in society. This is true for everyone in society whether you communicate by speaking or by other forms of communication such as augmentative/alternative communication (AAC). Effective communication in these different environments requires a variety of technologies that in the case of people who use augmentative/alternative communication (AAC users) need to be individualized to their specific access needs. Gaining access to the right technology and support to use it is often not an easy process and requires ongoing advocacy to ensure success. This presentation will focus on the stories of several AAC users who have used technology successfully for communication.

Presenters

Pascal Cheng

Education and Communication Specialist, PC Communication Supports

I currently work for the Howard Center in Burlington, Vermont as an educational and communication specialist, providing training and consultation in the areas of augmentative/alternative communication, assistive technology and literacy for children and adults with developmental disabilities... Read More →

Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
Imperial 5C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Communication Access
Themes of Interest Assistive Technology & Apps
Key Words Communication, Technology, Access, Advocacy
Presentation Type General

10:00am CST

Vamos DC: Supporting the Latino Disability Community Living in DC

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

Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F

This session provides an overview of Vamos DC, a collaborative initiative between District of Columbia government agencies, community-based organizations, and community members to connect more Latino residents with disabilities to services that support community inclusion and positive life outcomes. Vamos DC arose as a community-led solution to the challenge that, although Latinos make up 11% of DC's population, they represented only 2% of those served by the Department on Disability Services (DDS) in 2018. Within four years of Vamos DC's establishment, the number of Latino individuals served by DDS doubled. To achieve these positive results, trust had to be fostered between government agencies and Latino community members, necessitating a power-sharing approach. This session emphasizes the importance of learning from both successes and failures in efforts to share power with communities. Honest feedback, garnered through trust-building efforts, is crucial for effective collaboration.

Presenters

Claire Simon

Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Diversity and Social Impact
Themes of Interest Family Support
Key Words Language-Access, Cultural-Competency, Power-Sharing, Community-Led, Collaboration
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

Celestin Ballroom: Celestin G

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.

Presenters

Jeremy Reid

Saturday December 7, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Celestin 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 Inclusive Post-Secondary Education, Self-Advocacy, Community Access, Higher Education, Student Government
Presentation Type General

3:00pm CST

Putting it All Together: Self-Determination, Decision-Making, Communication

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

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 →

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

3:00pm CST

Rolling with Inclusion: IPSE Perspectives from Students with IDD

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

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!

Presenters

Jeremy Reid

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