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.

3:00pm CST

School-Based Occupational Therapy Facilitating Inclusive Education: A Multiple Case Study

Thursday December 5, 2024 3:00pm - 5:00pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin G

School-based occupational therapy practitioners (SBOTs) are invaluable for enabling inclusive participation for all students. However, existing literature highlights the need to shift from impairment-focused remedial approaches to inclusion-focused interventions. This presentation will discuss the findings of a qualitative multiple case study on inclusive OT practices in elementary schools for students with Extensive Support Needs (ESN). The study addresses two critical needs in education: (1) providing skilled support to make general education environments accessible and engaging for all learners, and (2) aligning SBOT practices with contemporary educational demands for students most vulnerable to segregation. The practical insights from this study will help us rise together as a collaborative team to promote authentic inclusion in the school community.

Presenters

Savitha Sundar

Texas Woman's University

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

Day 1 Intensive Workshops

Primary Topic Inclusive Education
Themes of Interest K-12 Education
Key Words Related Services, Students with ESN, Multiple Case Study, Occupational Therapy, School Community
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

5:45pm CST

Barriers to Regional Center Service Utilization For School-Aged Clients

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

3RD Floor - Storyville Hall

In this presentation, we will describe a mixed-methods research study completed in collaboration with a Southern California Regional Center. First, we will briefly discuss a secondary analysis of Regional Center client data which revealed significant under-utilization of allocated services for school-aged clients. Then, we will report on a series of focus groups conducted with parents/caregivers of school-aged children (5-22 years) eligible for regional center services. Primary questions for this inquiry focused on barriers and facilitators for service use for families of children with disabilities and how the regional center could improve service delivery to ensure best outcomes.

Presenters

Hilary Wu

PhD Student, UCLA

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 →

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 Community Living
Themes of Interest Agency Transformation
Key Words Services, Parents and Caregivers, School-Aged Children, Focus Groups
Presentation Type Research