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

Catalight's Compass Work Tool-Help PwD Find Meaningful Careers

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 10

Catalight Research Institute has developed Compass Work. This self-paced program offers participants a unique set of tools to help them find a position that fits their strengths and sets them up for lifelong career success. It is person-centered, strength-based, assessment-driven, and career-focused. It consists of over 30 training elements, including skills assessments, resume building, interviewing, accommodation requests, handling rejections, accepting job offers, and creating a 100-day plan for when they start a new job. It launched in February 2023 and is used by over 100 job seekers, advocates, career coaches, and employment service providers. We will present the program design and the successes candidates and advocates for these candidates have accomplished. We will share how they use the tool and the feedback generated along the way. We will share critical feedback from candidates and advocates. We also plan to give TASH attendees free access to the tool.

Presenters

Dan Middleton

Senior Director, Clinical Excellence Planning and Development, Catalight

As the Clinical Excellence Planning and Development Leader at Catalight, I have led new strategies for employment services for neurodiverse adults since December 2021. With over 20 years of experience in process improvement, mentoring, and organizational support, I am passionate about... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 10 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Employment
Themes of Interest Competitive Integrated Employment
Key Words Competitive Integrated Employment, Person Centered, Career Coaching, Career Planning, Strength Based
Presentation Type General

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

8:45am CST

Studying Customized Employment to Expand Competitive Integrated Employment

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 12

This panel discussion delves into the multifaceted landscape of Customized Employment (CE), and efforts to catalog its use as a workable tool for provider transformation and expansion of Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). The members of the panel were all participants in a Case Study through the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) investigating how Customized Employment is successfully implemented in the community, and each brings a unique perspective, shedding light on the collaborative efforts required to facilitate meaningful employment outcomes. Through shared experiences, practical strategies, and interactive dialogue, attendees will gain valuable insights into fostering a more inclusive and supportive employment environment for individuals with disabilities and learn about efforts through ODEP's CIE initiatives to better understand the successful utilization of Customized Employment implementation across the country.

Moderators

Jeffrey Carpenter

Presenters

Merry-Reid Sheffer

Lead Employment Specialist, Edge Employment

Edge Employment is the 4-person employment team within Mattingly Edge based in Louisville, KY! Our Specialists hold or are working toward certifications in Discovery, Job Development, and Systematic Instruction to provide Customized Employment through Marc Gold and Associates. Social... Read More →

Graham Maupin

Dara Patel

Rich Davis

Policy Advisor, Office of Disability Employment Policy

Saturday December 7, 2024 8:45am - 9:45am CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 12 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Employment
Themes of Interest Competitive Integrated Employment
Key Words Customized Employment, Self-Advocacy, Employment First, Competitive Integrated Employment
Presentation Type General

8:45am CST

Sub-Minimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment: How Illinois Rolls!

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

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C

This presentation will provide an overview of the Illinois Sub-Minimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Project. SWTCIE is a project administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Rehabilitation Services. The project will address the need to expand opportunities for Illinoisans with disabilities to obtain high-quality competitive integrated employment that leads to economic security, & assist & encourage employers to fully include individuals with disabilities into their workforce. SWTCIE aims to achieve systems change by establishing the efficacy of a replicable and scalable model that increases opportunities for individuals with disabilities to transition from subminimum wage employment to competitive integrated employment and redirect to competitive integrated employment those individuals contemplating subminimum wage employment. The project outcomes are to enhance quality of life & increase independence & inclusion among SWTCIE participants.

Moderators

James Knauf

University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana

Presenters

Sharon Bergfeld

University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana

Christina Irland

SWTCIE Illinois

Kyle Menke

University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana

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

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Employment
Themes of Interest Employment First
Key Words Competitive Integrated Employment, High-Quality Employment
Presentation Type General

10:00am CST

Positive Behavior Supports in the Workplace

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 9

It is easy to read about behavioral crises and describe what staff should do. It isnâ€™t quite as easy when you are the one being hit or yelled at. When confronted by challenging behavior, it is more effective to figure out the root cause of the behavior. Challenging behaviors are often means of communication â€“ it sends the message of needs not being met such as, "I'm frustrated," "I'm bored," "I have no power," "I don't feel safe," "I don't feel valued," etc. Once we identify the root cause, we need to stop or replace the behavior. In order to stop the behavior, we need to stop the pattern, not just the current incidence. This presentation will provide strategies for identifying possible functions of challenging behaviors and identify ways to respond and prevent these behaviors in the workplace. Participants will also gain an understanding of how the environment, and other people, affect behavior. and will learn to correctly carry out behavioral support plans in an ethical manner.

Presenters

Laura Owens

UWM

Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 9 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Employment
Themes of Interest Competitive Integrated Employment
Key Words Behavioral Support, Competitive Integrated Employment
Presentation Type General

3:00pm CST

Transition Away From Sheltered Employment: What We Know and What We Can Do

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 9

This session offers the latest research relevant to the barriers and facilitators of transition from sheltered 14c employment to competitive, integrated employment via the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, 2014). Given Indiana's clear movement towards investment in Employment First philosophy, this session is relevant for service providers, families, and people with disabilities considering transition. This session features research highlighting commonly reported concerns and fears around transition, as well as potential strategies to remediate these common challenges. This session will also review interviews of people with disabilities in Indiana who have successfully moved to competitive integrated employment (CIE), are in the process of transitioning from sheltered employment to CIE, and the staff who are assisting in these transitions.

Presenters

Mary Pearson

Indiana University

Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 9 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Employment
Themes of Interest Competitive Integrated Employment
Key Words Transition from Sheltered Work, Competitive Integrated Employment, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Interviews with People with Disabilities
Presentation Type Research

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