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.

10:00am CST

30+ Years of Self-Advocacy: Sharing Successes, Strategies and Stories

Thursday December 5, 2024 10:00am - 12:00pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin H

Join Project ACTION!, DCâ€™s self-advocacy coalition, to explore successful advocacy strategies to ensure your voice is heard as you advocate to shape the services you receive, in your relationships, to get high-quality healthcare, in your workplace, and to create partnerships. Using their 30+ years of experience, Project ACTION! members will engage participants in discussions, role plays and leadership training activities using strategies they found useful so people can represent their own interests and the interests of others. Project ACTION! members will share their experiences working with advisors and serving on over 30 boards, committees and workgroups focused on systems change, human rights and policy development. In this interactive session, learn how to identify decision-making boards on which you want to be represented, lead your individual service planning meeting, advocate for the support you might need to effectively serve on boards, recruit members and allies, and more.

Moderators

Rebecca Salon

Presenters

Thelma Green

Treasurer, Project ACTION!

Thelma Green is the Treasurer and Past Co-President of Project ACTION!, the District’s self-advocacy coalition of adults with developmental disabilities. Green is a strong self-advocate who has trained locally and across the country on a variety of topics including supported decision-making... Read More →

Leonard Stevens

Project ACTION!

Vanessa Monroe

Executive Member, Project ACTION!

Vanessa Monroe is a District of Columbia resident and Project ACTION! member. Vanessa is also a talented artist who works of out Art Enables studios in Washington, DC. She has sold many of her art pieces. She is also a strong self-advocate and speaks up for issues that are of... Read More →

Tiffany Yuille

Project ACTION!

Ricardo Thornton

Executive Member, Project ACTION!

Donna Thornton is a strong self-advocate and presenter. She worked for over 30 years at the National Institutes of Health and retired in 2018. She is a passionate mentor to people new to self-advocacy. She believes everyone should have the right and supports to pursue a career... Read More →

Thomas Mangrum

Co-President, Project ACTION!

Thomas Mangrum, Jr., is a strong communicator and self-advocate who is passionate about helping others to be the best they can be. He loves learning new information and sharing it with other self-advocates, his friends and neighbors. He is an excellent presenter having trained locally... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 10:00am - 12:00pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin H Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Day 1 Intensive Workshops

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest Self-Determination
Key Words Self-Advocacy, Empowerment, Self-Determination, Rights, Relationships

1:00pm CST

I Want to But I Don't Know How: Cultivating A Good Time!

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin A

During this presentation, attendees will participate in discussions about the importance of social skills and successful social interactions. A large part of the human experience is sharing space and interacting with others. We spend significant amounts of time working on functional skills but tend to forget that social skills are just as important. We will discuss navigating social situations to cultivate a sense of belonging and togetherness. Through interactive group activities, attendees will share and exchange views on barriers to effective social interactions, communication and relationship building. Attendees will also discuss solutions for navigating social situations and creating opportunities to develop social skills that are important when accessing shared spaces and maintaining relationships. We will also explore what it means to be in a valued role and the significance of meaningful social experiences.

Moderators

Robin Dodds

Associate Professor of Early Childhood Special Education, California State University LA

My primary research interests focus on supporting families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related Developmental Disabilities in two ways; through Parent to Parent social support and through parent-mediated interventions for social communication. Additionally... Read More →

Presenters

Randy Seevers

Associate Professor, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Randy Seevers received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Special Education from The Ohio State University. His experience includes working with a wide range of learners across the life span. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling, Special Education, and... Read More →

Shay Bernard

Support Coordination Supervisor, Progressive Community Services

Shahariah "Shay" Bernard has worked for Progressive Community Services for a total of 13 years. 2 years as a direct support staff, and 11 years in support coordination. She is passionate about advocating for the people she supports, finding creative solutions to everyday problems... Read More →

Thursday December 5, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Day 1 Intensive Workshops

Primary Topic Diversity and Social Impact
Themes of Interest Relationships & Sexuality
Key Words Social Interactions, Belonging, Togetherness, Relationships, Quality of life

10:00am CST

Teaching Romantic Relationships to Individuals with IDD

Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST

2ND Floor - Foster 2

This study examined the effects of a remote video modeling intervention on romantic relationships for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are currently enrolled in an Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE). A single-subject experimental design was used to illustrate the results. After removing the intervention, a follow-up phase was implemented to determine if the participants could maintain their skills. The findings were of significance to the participants. Limitations and future research were also included in this study to include in future literature.

Presenters

Brianna Miller

Visiting Instructor, Florida Atlantic University

Brianna Miller, Ed.D is an Instructor for the Department of Special Education at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Dr. Miller is a faculty member and advisor of the Academy for Community Inclusion (ACI), a comprehensive transition postsecondary education program for adults 18 and... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am CST
2ND Floor - Foster 2 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic PBIS
Themes of Interest Relationships & Sexuality
Key Words Relationships, Sex Education, Post-Secondary Education, Decision-Making Skills
Presentation Type Research

11:15am CST

Why Mix Methods? Iterative Development of A Peer Network Intervention

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 5A

Mixed methods designs are gaining traction in research for inclusive education, but there are still few examples of how mixed methods can inform intervention development. Learn how our team has used mixed and multi-methods research to develop an intervention that promotes social communication, language, and peer relationships for elementary-aged students with autism who are nonspeaking or have limited speech. Participants will learn about the components of the Enhanced Peer Network intervention, which include: (a) communication access through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), (b) storybook lessons to promote social-emotional development for students with and without disabilities, and (c) support for peers and students with disabilities to promote social communication and engagement during play. Participants will also learn about the powerful roles mixed methods research can play in successfully bridging research-to-practice.

Presenters

Elizabeth Biggs

Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University

Elizabeth E. Biggs, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University and a member of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Her work focuses on promoting social, communication, language, and literacy outcomes for children and youth with autism... Read More →

Friday December 6, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 5A Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest Research to Practice
Key Words Autism, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Peer Relationships, Social Communication, Mixed Methods Research
Presentation Type Research

5:45pm CST

Inclusion Opportunities at Secondary Schools: Stakeholder Perspectives

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

3RD Floor - Storyville Hall

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.

Presenters

Sarah Espanol

George Mason University

Christina Eagle

George Mason University

Heather Boccanfuso

Head of School, Meeting Street

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 Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Inclusion, Relationships, Engagement, Collaboration, Stakeholder Perspectives

5:45pm CST

To Include All Students: Why We Fight

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

3RD Floor - Storyville Hall

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.

Presenters

Charles Semanko

Low Incidence Special Education Teacher, University of Kansas - Dept of Special Education

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 Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Inclusion, Segregated, Civil Right, Instruction, Relationships

3:00pm CST

Self-Advocacy and Healthy Relationships

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

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C

So many things touch our lives as self-advocates. Members of Project ACTION!, DCâ€™s self-advocacy coalition, have learned that we can accomplish so much more when we work with partners. We are stronger together. In this session, you will get to hear from several members who have participated in a collaboration to ensure people with disabilities can get the access they need to be in healthy, safe relationships. Hear about the trainings they created and shared with other self-advocates to decide how they would be in relationships they choose, not their coordinator or manager. In this interactive session, presenters will talk about their experiences, what they have learned about getting the "love" they want, with audience discussio

Moderators

Tiffany Yuille

Project ACTION!

Presenters

Thomas Mangrum

Co-President, Project ACTION!

Kara Jones

Executive Member, Project ACTION!

Kara Jones is a strong self-advocate and trained facilitator. She has presented locally and nationally on a variety of disability topics. She is a member of People on the Go and Project ACTION! She is also a member of the Women's Knowledge Group, a group of #ProjectPeer. #ProjectPeer... Read More →

Leonard Stevens

Project ACTION!

Saturday December 7, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin C Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest Relationships & Sexuality
Key Words Relationships, Self-Advocacy, Person Centered, Rights, Sexuality, LGBTQ
Presentation Type General