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.
According to Everett Rogers “Diffusion of Innovations†we know that adults will not all implement change at the same time and in the same way. Instead of feeling frustrated or defeated by this fact, this session is designed to support leaders to plan for the variability of adults through applying and explicitly modeling the Universal Design for Learning. Participants will learn, network, and plan universally designed communication plans, universally design adult learning, and ensuring adults in their systems have multiple entry points for engaging improving and increasing inclusionary practices.
In the dynamic landscape of modern workplaces, fostering a sense of belonging is essential for enhancing employee engagement, productivity, and organizational success. This workshop, titled "Reframing Belonging: Adapting Erik Carter's Dimensions to Meet Employment Needs," offers an innovative approach to reinterpreting Carter's Dimensions of Belonging framework in the context of employment best practices. Participants will explore how Carter's original dimensions can be expanded and adapted to address specific employment-based needs, creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment. The workshop combines theoretical insights with practical strategies, drawing on the latest research in employment and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Who is the leader you are looking for. In this session, we hope to turn that question on its head. “How do we encourage others to be courageous and embrace their leadership†As supportive leaders, we can nurture a culture of kindness and connectedness that creates a fertile ground for people to build relationships and step into their own leadership roles with confidence. Are there ways for us to build up others in ways that empower them to challenge the status quo? Is there way to build a culture where courage isn’t needed? Where people just do “the next right thing� How does privilege impact leadership? Have we set up a culture that allows for everyone to be able to bring issues to light? How do we make space for relationships that allow marginalized people to be able to grow and exercise leadership? Please join us for a very interactive session with lots of conversation and fun. We will explore what qualities of a leader are and define the kind of leaders we want and need.
Sheldon Schwitek has been supporting individuals with complex behavioural needs in the United Statesb and in Canada for over decades. He was introduced to the founding members of the Marsha Forest Center in 1990 and became a facilitator of the person-centered processes of MAPS, PATH... Read More →
After ten years of working in a segregated Mental Health setting as a Music Therapist at New Hampshire Hospital and serving as a member of the National Music Therapy Association’s Training Committee LyAnn found inspiration. She was inspired by KFI's mission to provide supports... Read More →
Service providers frequently struggle with limited time and money to create needed assistive technology solutions. This session will discuss and demonstrate over 100 assistive technology solutions that can be created in minutes using the “…ABLE†principles: adjustable, portable, collapsible, reusable, affordable, repurpose, full, washable, repositionable, and more. Discover new and amazing tools, materials, and techniques for rapid creation of assistive technology solutions to support full and inclusive school and community participation.
What are the first steps in the journey toward living our courageous commitment to inclusive education? Experience how TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 partners with member districts to build capacity in educators to implement equitable inclusive practices for students with disabilities through professional learning and coaching. Coaches will share experiences from their work in several community districts. The presenters will celebrate the growth of students, educators, and systems at many different points in this journey. Participants will leave with collaborative structures, frameworks and processes that are applicable to teams and educational systems at the individual student, classroom, and building levels.
This presentation delves into community-based instruction (CBI) training for direct support professionals engaged in home and community-based services (HCBS). It sheds light on developing and implementing a train-the-trainer (T/T) model designed to enhance the skills of HCBS providers, support compliance with the Settings Rule, and foster meaningful community involvement. Through a collaborative effort, project staff, HCBS providers, and family advocacy organizations have crafted a curriculum that addresses CBI's core needs and objectives. The presenters will discuss the systematic framework and the built-in fidelity measures of the T/T model, encompassing both trainer and learner competencies. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of the projects foundation, its collaborative development process, and the impactful outcomes of the training initiative, thus paving the way for improved service delivery and community participation among HCBS providers.
Hi! I'm Aubrey Snyder. First and foremost, I am a twin sibling to a brother who has Down syndrome and hearing impairments. As a sister, I am incredibly passionate about working within the disability community to improve the services and supports, systems, and society that we work... Read More →
Director of Research and Training, Utah State University
Tim is the Director of the Research and Training Division at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice with an appointment as research associate professor in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation at Utah State University. Tim has 30 years of experience... Read More →
Everyone can be working on inclusive practices in their home or classroom. Whether you know someone with a disability or you don't. Disability is the only minority group that every single person can be a part of at some point in their life. This presentation will give steps for everyone to actively take in their community, resources to share with others, and a place to problem solve together what their specific barriers are. As a former special education teacher, now mom of 2, this has become a priority for me to raise inclusive kids. Educate children on how to support each other, celebrate our differences, and not focus on what is fair but how we can all be included.
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 5AHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
Given the framework of the Contact Hypothesis, the We Dance Together program seeks to decrease bias and increase familiarity and acceptance between students with and without disabilities. This program was the subject of a mixed methods single case study investigating the social impact of program participation. Three groups of second grade students were included in the study in order to evaluate different qualities and quantities of contact: the intervention group, control group with contact, and a control group without contact. Results indicated significantly increased levels of favorability and an emerging desire to "play with" students with complex communication needs for the intervention group.
I am a school-based Speech and Language Pathologist, Adjunct Instructor at the University of Cincinnati, and Ohio Ambassador for Charting the LifeCourse. I earned my Doctor of Education degree from the University of Findlay where I completed my dissertation study of We Dance Together... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin FHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
This workshop is designed to empower educators with the principles and practices of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment. Participants will gain an understanding of the updated UDL Guidelines and their role in promoting desirable student behavior across diverse educational settings. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills needed to create a more inclusive and behaviorally supportive learning environment for all students.
Inclusionary Practices Coordinator, Educational Service District 123
I have spent the past 5 years as part of a staewide team committed to supporting educators and school leaders with developing and implementing sustainable systems, structures, and practices that support all students with meaningful access and engagement in inclusive learning envi... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
Imperial 5BHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
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.
This qualitative research uncovers current and best inclusive practices in school-based transition programs for 18-21 year-old students with significant disabilities. Document analysis of published curricula, results of a mixed-method survey, and 24 semi-structured interviews offer multiple perspectives on the current status of transition programs as well as practices that uphold inclusivity, which are more likely to lead to inclusive adult life experiences. Findings show that many students expressed discontent with segregative aspects of transition programs and parents worked tirelessly to cobble together unique programs. Professional perspectives reveal that low-expectations often guided program decisions that led to segregative practices. Examples of promising and inclusive practices are also uncovered in the study. A review of the literature on inclusive transition programming and disability studies theoretical lens contextualize research findings.
We have created tools for students, families, and professionals that help leverage the IDEA evaluation process to not simply establish eligibility for Special Education, but as a guide to an IEP team, to a school, or even to a school district on how to support learners with extensive support needs in general education in a way that centers and respects the student and guarantees meaningful access, progress and engagement, is anti-ableist, and sets up the foundation for authentic relationships. There is a way to use the mandated documentation in anti-ableist, respectful, and strength-driven ways that center the student and their preferences, meaningful engagement, and authentic relationships, reframe the evaluation process as more humanistic, inclusive, empowering, and authentic, and that will help the evaluation team to reframe their ideas of Disability and Special Education.
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 11Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
While inclusion in the general education classroom for students with extensive support needs (ESN) leads to significantly better academic, social, and behavioral outcomes, rates of full inclusion for this population remain low. Pre- and in-service teachers’ beliefs affect the placement in–and ultimately the efficacy of–inclusion for students with ESN. This systematic literature review synthesizes extant empirical studies that explore preservice general education teachers’ belief systems towards the inclusion of students with ESN. Findings highlight the dissonance that many preservice general education teachers feel, the interpretability of the least restrictive environment mandate, and the need for term stabilization (e.g., beliefs; ESN) in research questions about this topic. Implications for teacher education and systems change are discussed.
Everyone has a story! Oral histories help to identify our uniqueness and our commonalities. Through introspection, we all, individuals with and without disabilities can find, form and share our story. In sharing oral histories, we facilitate inclusion as the line between different and disability is diminished, perspectives and experiences of our community are broaden and enriched. The mutual sharing of oral histories contributes to understanding, valuing and inclusion, our common-unity. Rationale, strategies, low cost technologies to collect, share and archive oral histories are provided to help advocates, families and practitioners elicit, collect, share and archive oral histories.
Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST
Imperial 9Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
Join this session to learn about an innovative partnership between the LEAD Center and Parent 2 Parent USA (P2P USA), harnessing the input from parent advisors to craft resources to promote employment and career outcomes for their family members with disabilities. Families also identified resources through which they can access essential supports and services. Hear from family leaders and employment subject matter experts from LEAD Center about the pivotal role families play in envisioning and supporting the people with disabilities in their lives across their lifespan as they journey towards competitive integrated employment.
In this presentation, Gage Perryman talks about his life and how he learned to stand up for himself and make big decisions. Gage has disabilities, but that doesn’t stop him from going to college and getting involved in activities that help his community and other individuals with disabilities across the state of Minnesota and beyond. He has navigated the complexities of transitioning into adulthood, leveraging self-advocacy skills, participating in inclusive higher education and state-wide community advocacy initiatives, and presenting at national conferences. In this talk, he will dive into the strategies, challenges, and successes he has encountered along the way, sharing useful tips and inspirational stories so that listeners feel able to make their own communities better and more welcoming for everyone. It's a talk about finding your voice, overcoming challenges, and making a difference within your community.
Jennifer Sommerness is a distinguished educator and researcher at the TIES Center, at the University of Minnesota. Known for her dedication to inclusive education and student success, and a profound commitment to educational equity, Jennifer has played a role in shaping the landscape... Read More →
This session includes a collaborative presentation with a self-advocate and a teacher educator. The session will begin with a first-hand account of the educational experiences of a non-speaking and Autistic individual in both inclusive and self-contained settings, in both a specialized school and in public schools. These educational experiences have informed a list of suggested practices for general educators, special education teachers, and paraeducators on how to best include and challenge students with complex communication needs in the general education classroom. The session will conclude with information on how to leverage voices from the local disability community by inviting self-advocates to present in university courses that are aimed to prepare inclusive-minded educators.
Katie McCabe is an Assistant Professor in the Exceptional Education Department at Buffalo State University, with a Ph.D. in Special Education and a minor in Qualitative Research Methods from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A former special education teacher in rural Upstate New... Read More →
This session discusses research about how collaboration instruction during teacher education can impact the ability of general and special educators to work with one another to create more inclusive and effective classrooms. We will discuss course design and collaboration best practices and look at data from the course that shows the positive impacts of the experience on preservice teachers and K-12 students including nuances associated with teacher understanding and practices of collaboration.
Hello everyone! I am excited to be attending TASH this year! I am an Assistant Professor and the Special Education Endorsement Coordinator at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon. I am excited to share the work I do in teacher education and learn from others as well! I would... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Imperial 5CHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
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. Will’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.
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.
Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
Celestin Ballroom: Celestin GHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
I'd love to bring my dog everywhere with me! We'd love another pet; let's get a service dog! Does my dog need special training to be a service dog? Can I train my own dog to be a service dog? There are many misconceptions about service dogs and how to obtain one. A service dog trainer and user discuss factors involved in determining if a service dog is right for you. These factors include eligibility and knowledge of ADA; physical factors involved in handling a dog; and financial aspects such as veterinary care, food, medication, and grooming. Housing issues such as space and relief areas, and family issues involving allergies or acquiring a dog exclusively for one family member must be considered as well. Perspective service dog users must also understand the dog training industry and how to select a qualified trainer or organization, and dog training principles if self training a service dog.
Adapted books can serve as a support for students with complex support needs in general education classes. However, creating adapted books can be difficult for a special education teacher with a demanding schedule. Therefore, this session presents a feasible and efficient process for creating adapted books extended from the guidelines originally developed by Apitz et al. (2017). This process begins with special educators becoming familiar with the story through summarizing and outlining the original text. Next, collaboration with the general education teacher is recommended to identify the essential themes and key vocabulary. Special educators are encouraged to follow the book's plot structure and use visual supports, such as images or videos, based on key events in the text. Also included in this session are suggestions on how teachers can more effectively and efficiently adapt books using modern technology tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E.
Roxanne Loyless is a second-year Ph.D. student in Special Education at The University of Kansas. Her research interests center on inclusive education practices, strategies, and supports for students with significant support needs.
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville HallHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
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.
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.
This poster defines what self-injurious behaviors are and how to modify behaviors to decrease these behaviors with students with extensive support needs. Students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN) often display self-injurious behaviors (SIB), which is defined as any occurrence where an individual engages in hitting or slapping themselves by making a connection with any part of their body with a closed or open fist or banging head to make an audible sound. This behavior also includes pinching, scratching, or biting, any instance where on the skin it leaves a mark or breaks the skin, causing bleeding. Understanding this behavior can lead to better support for students and opportunities for them to be involved in more inclusive educational settings.
This presentation will focus on practical methods researchers can use to include individuals with intellectual disability in qualitative research. This requires reconceptualizing the communication difference. Some challenges impede the inclusion of those individuals in qualitative research that mainly uses interviewing. For example, expected methodological issues and challenges include sampling, informed consent, and participant fatigue, as well as the quantity and quality/credibility of the data. Solutions to address these challenges will be discussed point by point. Additionally, strategies to facilitate hearing voices from participants with intellectual disabilities will be covered, including dyadic interviewing, visual/audio methods, and accessible focus groups. Finally, helpful tips for interviewing people with intellectual disabilities will be presented, focusing on building rapport and trust, effective questioning, triangulation, and interview scheduling.
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville HallHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
Students with IDD are not typically included in school engagement for both academic and social activities. Though laws seek to encourage inclusive education for all students, at the Secondary School level, inclusion is lacking due to academic expectations in the classroom, social opportunities, buy in from both staff and fellow students, and because of typical expectations and norms in a public high school. In order to remedy this problem, we propose that school stakeholders work together in order to create inclusion opportunities for all students. This presentation discusses inclusion successes and perspectives held by a variety of stakeholders: teachers, related service providers, students with and without disabilities, parents, and school administrators. A call to action is offered for all stakeholders to find innovative, intentional, and joyful opportunities for true engagement for all students.
Belonging is the feeling that we are part of a larger group that values, respects, and cares for us. What is the role of belonging when promoting a successful inclusive school experience? What does brain research tell us about our reactions to inclusion and exclusion? How do we create a school culture where adults and children all have a sense of belonging? What instructional strategies strengthen a sense of belonging and academic progress for learners with complex and extensive support needs? In this session, these questions will be answered with examples from research. Participants will engage in discussion and learn how to create situations in schools that help all learners thrive, and how to work to remove ableist stereotypes.
Director of Special Projects, Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education
Dr. Carol Quirk is the founder, former Chief Executive Officer, and current Director of Special Projects for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE). For the last 30 years, Carol has worked with States, districts, schools, and families to promote inclusive education... Read More →
Friday December 6, 2024 5:45pm - 7:15pm CST
Storyville HallHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
When students with extensive support needs (ESN) are included with their same-aged typically developing peers in general education settings, it is not meaningful if they are not interacting with peers or the curriculum. Peer support arrangements address this problem by guiding peers without disabilities to provide academic and/or social support students with ESN in general education settings through training conducted by a teacher or paraprofessional. In this systematic literature review, we replicated the Brock & Huber (2017) review of 11 studies and identified 4 additional studies that examined peer support arrangements as an intervention for students with ESN. Several of those studies include evidence of peers benefiting from providing support. We conclude that peer support arrangements are an effective intervention for social outcomes and are a promising intervention for academic outcomes in a variety of general education settings for students with ESN.
This presentation discusses a single-case design study using NDBIs as a peer-mediated intervention for preschool aged children with autism and developmental disabilities. Data will be collected in Fall 2024. This study will be conducted in inclusive special education classrooms, which are currently the standard practice for providing special education services for children with a wide variety of special learning needs. Preschool aged peers will be trained and coached in strategies, that align with the fidelity markers of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) for engaging with children with disabilities during center time. This study also aims to examine the effects intervention on the communication, play, and social skills for children with disabilities. This presentation will provide information to assist in understanding the impact of peer-mediated NDBIs on key skills for children with disabilities. Recommendations and suggestions will be provided.
The fight for inclusion of students with disabilities post-Brown v. Board of Education emphasizes the civil right to education for all. Segregated education denies this right and perpetuates outdated practices. Inclusive education, proven effective, ensures access to grade-level instruction, empowering students for self-directed lives. It also combats disability stigma, fostering empathy and understanding. Moreover, inclusion facilitates meaningful relationships, vital for mental well-being. Ultimately, inclusion ensures equitable access to education and upholds the fundamental principle that education is a civil right for all students.
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.
The number of students in special education has steadily risen, reaching 7.3 million in 2021-22 under IDEA. This growth emphasizes the need for skilled school administrators to address diverse learning needs. Special education leadership entails managing systems, ensuring compliance, promoting inclusivity, and improving outcomes. Effective leadership correlates with better academic and social results for students with disabilities. The presenters will discuss how through collaborative partnerships, advocacy, and the cultivation of inclusive school cultures, school leaders can enact systemic change, dismantle barriers and create environments where every student, irrespective of ability, feels a profound sense of belonging with a focus on practices tailored for students with severe disabilities and their families.
College Assistant Professor, New Mexico State University
Yvonne Moreno, PhD is a College Assistant Professor at New Mexico State University. She believes that all individuals regardless of their exceptionalities must have a right to the self-actualization of their goals and aspirations. This belief has guided her education, career, and... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Imperial 8Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
Over 30 million people worldwide have taken the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment and have learned the critical link between talent and strengths, as well as the wisdom in leveraging strengths instead of trying to “fix†weaknesses. In the disability community, starting with strengths and leveraging abilities is the foundation for Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) at school, and Individual Plans for Employment (IPEs) at work. This session will describe how to leverage the CliftonStrengths assessment and coaching approach in the workplace. CliftonStrengths provides a common language for disabled and nondisabled employees and their managers to work together and provide an optimal and inclusive environment for all employees.
Dr. Jennifer Camota Luebke is a visionary and strategic President and CEO of Relay Resources, a leading social enterprise in the Pacific Northwest that cultivates meaningful employment for people with disabilities. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the national United... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
Foster 2Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
The legal and mental health definitions of trauma are very broad. Conservatively, a third of us grow up with three or more powerful disruptive risk adverse childhood experiences during our development. We think about trauma as an individual problem. COVID reminded us that trauma can be worldwide in scope. Such collective trauma impacts each of us uniquely to varying degrees and with disproportionate impacts. This workshop’s focus is on those who are charged with fixing the problems trauma causes in the K-12 setting while exploring federal and state trauma-related legislation. We acknowledge that everyone who has experienced trauma does not automatically become a victim. Some have – with or without help – overcome the adversity of trauma. Some try to mask the impact of trauma; others acquire resilience in the face of trauma. While still, others suffer silently or violently from their experiences. Presenters will share their experiences and ask participants to share theirs also.
There are a growing number of schools and districts throughout the country engaged in efforts to transform education to become more trauma sensitive. Trauma sensitive schools are intended to help all students feel safe to learn. This session will explore what it means to work toward and identify as a trauma sensitive school and how special education interventions align with these efforts. Discussing issues related to special education interventions that may be trauma inducing will be central to this presentation. A schoolwide trauma sensitive assessment tool incorporating special education practices for teachers, students, parents, and school/district leaders will be provided.
Simply placing students with significant disabilities in the same educational environment with peers does not result in meaningful inclusion. FLIP Recess (Focusing on Learning, Interaction, and Play at Recess) is an intervention designed to increase interactions, interactive play, and social connections for elementary students with significant disabilities at recess. In a randomized controlled trial of FLIP Recess, we measured social interactions, interactive play, social skills and social connections through over 600 observations of children at recess and survey data from teachers, parents, and students. Interim findings from over 80 participants show that FLIP Recess produces large effects on all of these outcomes, and that effects generalized to other times of the school day and outside of school. We will share outcome data from the randomized controlled trial as well as practical implications for teachers, paraeducators, and related service personnel.
This presentation will present the methods and findings from a case study that explored the phenomenon of belonging from the perspective of Cora, a school-aged child with an intellectual disability and significant support needs. Findings from the study illuminated how Cora's microsystem influence her sense of belonging in the school, neighborhood, and her community.
Parents who barrier-busted obstacles to ensure full inclusion throughout their now adult daughter's lifespan, discuss John’s recent admission to Kathy about his lack of faith in their ability to break down those barriers. He never shared this before because he wanted to be supportive of her vision and efforts. This presentation shows how our own attitudinal barriers can be as impactful as the systemic barriers that face people who have disabilities. His thoughts eventually evolved into a paradigm shift as successes accumulated. Barrier-elimination became the norm. Alexa benefited by attending regular classes in schools, accessing needed technology, a wheelchair lift on the regular bus, skating in her chair at the ice rink, using a power beach chair, being a statistician of a girls' ice hockey team, attending college, becoming employed, owning a vehicle a home of her own, and more. Stories, steps taken, lessons learned, and how other families can do the same will be shared.
Washington State upholds a tradition of promoting competitive integrated employment and community inclusion through gatherings and shared learning. In the early 2020s, traditional gatherings were disrupted, leading to the creation of The Dan Thompson Employment Rallies. These rallies reunited legacy leaders in supported employment with people with disabilities, new service providers, government and education partners. Six regional rallies and a statewide event supported full engagement, both in person and online, fostering a powerful dialogue on Employment First, led by those most impacted. Emphasizing inclusive employment, leadership and voices of people with disabilities, these events reenergized our community. Transition students played a crucial role in shaping the vision and narrative and the rallies addressed inequities, ensuring marginalized communities' needs and voices were included in statewide planning. Join us to discover the innovative rally format, themes, and next steps.
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 ‘decision-maker’ 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.
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 5AHyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113
Neurodiversity is a concept that acknowledges and celebrates the natural variations in human neurological functioning. Neurodivergence is the term for when someone's brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered "typical." Within this spectrum lies many conditions often misunderstood and stigmatized in society. This presentation advocates for a paradigm shift in how we perceive and approach neurodivergence, emphasizing the importance of embracing neurodiversity in education, work, and society at large. Attendees will leave this session with a comprehensive understanding of neurodiversity; ability to assess and challenge the traditional view of neurodivergence as a deficit; demonstrate tailored support and accommodations for neurodiverse students; explain the benefits of leveraging Neurodiversity in the workplace; and empowerment to challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and advocate for policy changes that promote acceptance and inclusion.
