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 the millions of 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, Building Diverse and Inclusive Communities, reminds us that equity, opportunity, and inclusion relies on the input of broad perspectives and experiences.
Kathy and John, parents to now 30 year old daughter, Alexa, discuss their successful strategies for ensuring Alexa's full inclusion throughout her lifespan, starting at birth. However, a few years ago, John shared his concerns, written in short story style, to Kathy about his lack of faith that many of the barriers Alexa had faced could be successfully resolved. He never shared this with Kathy at the time because he wanted to be supportive of her vision and efforts. This discovery lead to this presentation, showing how our own attitudinal barriers can be as impactful as the systemic barriers that face people who have disabilities. The private thoughts John held internally during times of family problem-solving eventually evolved into a "paradigm shift" as he saw the successes accumulating. Amazing barrier-elimination steps became the norm for this family. Alexa benefited by attending regular classes in schools, accessing needed technology as it was invented, a wheel-chair lift on the regular bus, skating in her wheelchair at the neighborhood ice rink, playing street hockey with friends, using a power beach wheelchair, being a statistician of a girls ice hockey team, attending college, becoming employed, and owning a vehicle and home of her own (all modified for her unique needs). Kathy, John, and Alexa will share stories, steps taken, and lessons learned, and how other families can do the same.
It's often the little things that make for living a good life. To be a part of a diverse, inclusive community, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers must dream big by looking beyond goals to ordinary, everyday life events. This includes everything from playdates, cultural celebrations, religious activities and sports to dating, marriage, college, work and end of life arrangements. We will share from both the parent and professional perspectives, things to consider at different stages of life and suggest resources that can help people build thriving, inclusive lives of their own.
I’m a TASH board member and co-chair of the Diversity & Social Impact Committee. I’m also the current president of the Florida TASH chapter. I’ve been in the field for over 20 years working primarily in home and community settings. I’m a board certified behavior analyst and... Read More →
Leslie Martin Lederer was a Disability Rights Advocate for 2 Protection and Advocacy’s and worked with children and youth as a teacher, inclusion facilitator, counselor, residential supervisor and advocate. She presents workshops on a variety of topics including Special Education... Read More →
Saturday December 7, 2019 8:30am - 9:20am MST
Meeting Room: Deer5594 West Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85226
