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.

2:15pm CST

Paraprofessionals' Role in Job Coaching For Students with ESN

Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm CST

4TH Floor - Imperial 12

Students with extensive support needs (ESN) often participate in community-based work experiences (CBWEs) as part of their transition programming. CBWEs allow students to experience real work while they are still in school. Students with ESN often benefit from the support of a paraprofessional to meaningfully participate in CBWEs. In this role, paraprofessionals are essentially acting as a â€œjob coach,â€ a central feature of supported employment for adults with disabilities. While paraprofessionals can play an integral role in studentsâ€™ ability to access CBWEs, little research had been conducted on their role with these experiences and how they support students with ESN in this capacity. This presentation will share findings and practical implications from a research study aimed at understanding paraprofessionalsâ€™ role in job coaching for students with ESN and practices that paraprofessionals utilize to support students at community worksites.

Presenters

Hannah Brenner

Friday December 6, 2024 2:15pm - 3:10pm 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 Extensive Support Needs, Community-Based Work Experiences, Paraprofessional, Job Coach, Transition to Work
Presentation Type Research

3:25pm CST

Qualifications, Responsibilities, Training, and Supervision of Paraprofessional Job Coaches

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

4TH Floor - Imperial 5D

Paraprofessionals are increasingly serving as job coaches at community-based work sites. In this session we share findings from a study that explored the qualifications and responsibilities of job coaches who are employed by schools, the training these job coaches receive to perform their job, and the role of school professionals in directing the activities of job coaches. Discussion will focus on how we can continue to enhance the role, training, and supervision of job coaches who are employed by schools to improve employment outcomes for students with extensive support needs.

Moderators

Stacy Dymond

Professor, University of Illinois

Stacy Dymond is professor of special education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on curriculum issues related to educating secondary and transition-age students with severe intellectual disabilities in inclusive school and community settings... Read More →

Presenters

Hannah Brenner

Magen Rooney-Kron

Assistant Professor, University of Missouri, St. Louis

Magen is an assistant professor of inclusive education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Her research focuses on the inclusion of students with significant support needs in work-based learning experiences.

Friday December 6, 2024 3:25pm - 4:20pm CST
4TH Floor - Imperial 5D Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Employment
Themes of Interest Transition to Employment
Key Words Job Coaches, Employment, Work Experiences, Transition
Presentation Type Research

4:35pm CST

12 Strategies For Facilitating Transportation to Work-Based Learning Sites!

Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST

3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin F

Work experience, whether paid or unpaid, enables students with disabilities to learn job skills in the real world and clarify their career path. Despite the benefits of work experiences, many educational programs struggle to provide work experiences in the community due to issues surrounding transportation. In this session we will share 12 creative strategies for transporting students with disabilities to community-based work sites and provide tips to consider when selecting strategies. Come join us to discuss this important topic and share your creative solutions for obtaining transportation!

Moderators

Stacy Dymond

Professor, University of Illinois

Presenters

Melanie Phelan

Training Specialist, Illinois Center for Transition and Work - UIUC

I am a training specialist for the Illinois Center for Transition and Work at the University of Illinois. My background is mostly in transition to work for people with significant disabilities. I am passionate about finding paid employment for youth with disabilities where they can... Read More →

Jessica Sipovic

Training Specialist, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Jessica Sipovic is a training specialist for the Illinois Center for Transition and Work through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She has over 15 years of experience working with children and adults with diverse needs in school, home, and community settings. Most... Read More →

Nicole Birri

Training Specialist, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Friday December 6, 2024 4:35pm - 5:30pm CST
3RD Floor - Ballroom: Celestin F Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113

Breakout Sessions

Primary Topic Employment
Themes of Interest Other
Key Words Transportation, Employment, Transition, Work Experiences, Strategies
Presentation Type General