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.

3:25pm CST

Empowering My Voice: Self-Advocacy and Transition Triumphs

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 10

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 doesnâ€™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.

Presenters

Jennifer Sommerness

Researcher, TIES Center, UMN, Minneapolis, MN

Jennifer Sommerness is a distinguished educator and researcher at the TIES Center, at the University of Minnesota. She is known for her dedication to inclusive education and student success, with a profound commitment to educational equity. Jennifer has played a role in shaping the... Read More →

Gage Perryman

Gage Gives Back

Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 10 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest Self-Determination
Key Words Transition, Inclusive, Higher Education, Post-Secondary Outcomes, Person-Centered, Planning, Supported Decision-Making, Belonging, Inclusion
Presentation Type General

4:15pm CST

Securing The Future: Visions, Decisions, and Advocacy

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST

4TH Floor - Imperial 9

An essential tool to bring about a full, meaningful, inclusive life is having a well-defined, articulated vision to focus, guide, and inspire action. Join us to explore the critical role of holding a positive vision for the future, understand how to use Supported Decision-Making, and how to increase self-advocacy and self-determination skills. We will discuss typical pathways toward adulthood, the necessary supports to stay on these paths; using vision, courage, and consciousness to help young adults achieve a full, meaningful, autonomous life. We will delve into the legal protections provided by IDEA in transition planning and how to maximize these to support successful outcomes. We will discuss tips and techniques to support people to increase decision-making skills to become competent, confident advocates directing their own lives. Additionally, we will emphasize the importance of belonging, community participation, and valued roles as strategies to to bring forth a good life.

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 →

Leslie Lipson

Educational Equity Strategist and Attorney, Georgia Coalition for Equity in Education (GCEE)

Leslie Lipson is an attorney and a self-described inclusionista. She has been deeply involved in advocacy for and with people with disabilities for over 20 years and currently offers advocacy solutions using general educational and special education law, from a values-based foundation... Read More →

Katie Chandler

Consultant, Georgia Advocacy Office

Katie Chandler, a Project Consultant with Sangha Unity Network, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field as a direct support professional, advocate, supervisor, and consultant. In each role, Katie worked to ensure... Read More →

Saturday December 7, 2024 4:15pm - 5:15pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 9 Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Self-Advocacy
Themes of Interest Capacity Building for Inclusion
Key Words Supported Decision-Making, Transition, Vision, Autonomy, Education, Self-Advocacy, Self-Determination
Presentation Type General