Oregon Disability MegaConference

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Presentations

Updated 5/13/2008

**THURSDAY**
Intensive Session Description Presented By
Dwelling in Possibility: The Values, Beliefs, & Habits of Inclusive Schools This session is inspired by the words of celebrated poet, Emily Dickinson, who wrote “I dwell in possibility.” In this session, Dickinson’s reflection will be applied to our work in inclusive schools.  In this intensive session, the history and current state of inclusive schooling will be explored. Dr. Kluth will discuss a vision for the future of this social justice movement and specifically what beliefs, values, and practices associated with inclusion will help educators succeed in educating, challenging, motivating and supporting all learners. Dr. Paula Kluth
Recognizing and Responding to the Vulnerability Trail for People with Developmental Disabilities This training will provide information on 1) the incidence, prevalence and impact of crime victimization--including child abuse, stalking, domestic violence and dating violence--on people with developmental disabilities, and 2) collaborating with victims assistance organizations. Further, the sessions provides for stratified follow along support for attendees that also measures the trainee's outreach success. The Arc of Aurora (Colorado)

The Arc of the United States
It's About People!

CHANCE MEETING:  Looking for HSM, WPSF, CPSM, ABC, XXX and others (age not important) interested in building community, (2) M/SPF (Married and single, professional females). LABELS.We all have them, but they don’t begin to tell us about each other nor the richness of our lives.  This session will explore what it means to have a “good life” not bound by labels, but based on John O’Brien’s five valued experiences: relationships, choices, contribution, dignity and sharing ordinary places.  Listen and participate in exercises that help us to think about how we can support individuals of all ages to live everyday lives.

Debra McLean

Tara Asai

** FRIDAY / SATURDAY **

Presentation Title

Description

Presented By

"Alternate" Literacy: Understanding literacy for children who are deaf-blind/multi-disabled

Literacy is usually looked at in the context of academics and cognitive function.  This interactive session will focus instead on (a) the social functions of literacy (b) how to use all the senses in becoming "literate" and, (c) how to ensure children who are deaf-blind/multi-disabled participate to the greatest extent possible.

Lyn Ayer

Wendy Stebbins-White

"I'm Cool With Who I am": Voices of youth coping with mental health diagnosis and stigma

A panel of youth from the Oregon Family Support Network Youth Leadership Committee will discuss their experiences with mental health diagnosis.  They will provide a youth point of view on how it feels to be stigmatized and provide insight for families and providers about needed services and support. 

Laura Rariden

Brandon Chambers

David Depew

Kayla Billings

A Parent's Toolbox for School meetings:  "What do they mean when they say "your child's behavior...”

Parents need a tool to help them communicate with school staff about what helps their child learn in the classroom and meet behavioral expectations in the school setting.  This presentation will give them that tool and help parents identify and operationalize the steps that lead to success in school for their child.

Arlene Janis

A Peek into Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy: Explore the facts, myths and misconceptions of cerebral palsy through a personal look into my life with Cerebral Palsy. Fun, hands-on activities for a taste of a day in my life, plus Q & A.

Tina Reynolds

A School-Wide Approach to Inclusive-Based Practices for Meeting the Needs of All Students--a Data Driven Approach

Sacramento Elementary School embarked on a 3 year process of instituting student supports in a manner to serve the majority of students in the classroom.  Topics addressed will include lessons learned in restructuring the student support team, reconsidering traditional support teacher and specialist roles, securing teacher ownership and differentiating instruction and future directions.

Todd Nicholson 
Stevie Blakely

Accessible Voting

We will be learning about new equipment and tools that will help you to vote privately and independently. Come find out about the Easy to Read Voting Guide and voting by using a computer!  

Gene Newton
Julie Anderson

Accessing PASS Funding-Plans to Achieve Self Support

If you are a Social Security beneficiary and have income other than just SSI, you might be able to secure funding from Social Security to help you achieve your work goal.  This process is called PASS or Plan to Achieve Self Support. During this presentation, find out the steps involved in filing for a PASS. We will cover the purpose of PASS, the application process, the work goal, the plan development, Self-Employment PASS, how much money you will have to pay your living expenses and what monies go towards your plan, and what to expect during the life of your plan.

Tracy Callaghan

Assistive Technology for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Community Living

This session will provide an overview and demonstration of useful technology for individuals with disabilities as well as the families and caregivers who are supporting them. We'll look at adaptive computing and software applications, including icon-based activity planning, simple games, animated story books,  and ”smart home” remote care giving and support technology.

Tom Keating

Autism – Evidence Based Practices

Children with autism spectrum disorders can make more progress if research-based practices are used. This presentation will describe what makes an intervention research-based and which practices that are commonly used with children with autism spectrum disorders are supported by research. 

Helen Young

Behaviors, IEP’s and the Law Behavior and discipline rules in schools are often confusing, and there are variations from district to district.  In this training we will discuss: What mechanisms help support children with behaviors that interfere with their learning or the learning of others, Functional Behavior Assessments, and Behavior Intervention Plans. Leah Skipworth

Beyond Your Limitations

"Life Is An Attitude".  At 18 an accident rendered my entire body from the neck down motionless.  The challenges were astronomical, almost unbearable, leaving me depressed and suicidal.  I chose to become better rather than bitter when an eight year old boy, who suffered a traumatic head injury, whispered "I love you Ron".

Ron Heagy

Collaborative Problem Solving: Explosive Child Book Clubs

This session provides an overview of Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), the evidence-based practice described in the book The Explosive Child by Dr Ross Greene utilizing materials from the Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) Guide created for use in OFSN's Explosive Child Book Clubs.

Kristen Anderson
Suzi Swift

Community Inclusion: My Choice - My Right

Inclusion means that individuals with disabilities participate in the same programs and activities as their non-disabled peers. Learn what successful inclusion means, mandates of the Americans with Disability Act, and methods to ensure that appropriate services and accommodations are provided for individuals by local park and recreation programs.

Amber Blanchard
Mary Shea
Molly Elliott

Compassionate Supports for Aging

As people age they have changing needs that can affect quality of life. This session identifies simple and important steps that people can take to assure that people who age are provided with supports to enable them to enjoy life. Methods for treating elders with respect and dignity, inexpensive ways to address effects of aging and methods for noticing how a person is experiencing their life changes will be addressed.

Geri Newton

Creating a Healthier Self!

Part of being healthy is taking care of your body, and that means eating healthy foods and being active!  This highly energized session is guaranteed to be fun, educational, and interactive.  Be ready to move, taste, and learn!

Angela Weaver

Creating Recreational Events for People with Autism: The Autism Retreat

Learn how to plan and execute a recreational event for people with autism. Topics include the basic principles of autism and recreation plus meal planning, safety concerns, volunteer organizing, registration, activity planning, fundraising and more.

Mary-Minn Sirag
Michelle Jones
Tim Mueller

Diplomas,
Modified Diplomas, and Alternative Certificates

General overview of the many changes in Oregon graduation requirements and their impact on diplomas, modified diplomas and alternate certificates.  Changes include increased academic requirements, increase in number of required credits, and a requirement that all districts offer modified diplomas and alternative certificates as an option.

Jackie Burr

Drumming for Recreation and Wellness

Group rhythm making is an accessible activity with broad appeal among diverse populations.  Hand drumming offers numerous benefits from community building to stress reduction.  Learn how to play, experience first hand what the benefits are, and find out how to bring this all-inclusive and multi-faceted program into your communities.

Jill Sager

Financial Planning for People with Disabilities

Sound financial planning for people with disabilities is crucial to quality of life, individual independence and retention of benefits and programs. This PowerPoint presentation will introduce you to a key planning tool offered by The Arc of Oregon called The Oregon Special Needs Trust.

Mitch Teal

Follow Your Dreams

By Rena Kriegh-Advocate and Speaker Born with Cerebral Palsey

In my presentation, I will discuss six areas to a meaningful life.
1. What is a meaningful life?
2. Follow your dreams.
3. Steps for success.
4. Why is self advocacy important?
5. Key points for service workers. 6. Things to remember.

Rena Krieg

Friends, Relationships & Sexuality

Let's talk about people with disabilities, Friendships, Relationships and the Sexuality of people with and without disabilities. As human beings we all want and need these things in our lives.  Come join us for an honest and frank interaction and discussion about these important issues. Yes, are going to talk about Sex too! But we'll talk about real friendships and relationships as well.

Dean H. Westwood
Susan Labhard

Having a Disability and Reaching Your Goals: Becoming Your Own Self-Advocate

The information shared in this session will: *Provide participants with a positive example of a person living with a disability BEFORE there were laws and services available such as the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Individuals With Disabilities (IDEA). *Describe the importance of setting goals and the effect it can on the life of someone living with a disability after age 21. *Provide participants with strategies for setting goals and becoming an advocate for you.

Sherry Lane

How to Evaluate a Behavior Plan - Is this Behavior Plan Really a “Positive Behavior Support Plan”?

Writing an effective positive behavior support plan is one of the hardest things we do in schools. IDEA requires schools to create a positive behavior support plan under certain circumstances for students with disabilities engaging in challenging behaviors; however, IDEA does not provide guidance on what should be included in those plans. Thus, teams struggle with what to include in the plan, teachers struggle with implementing the plan, and most important students still struggle with their behavior. Yet the research on positive behavior support plans is clear, when done well students experience more success at school. This presentation will outline the research-based CRITICAL FEATURES of positive behavior support plans so that participants will be able to evaluate any behavior plan based on those features.

Kimberly Ingram

How to Hire & Maintain Personal Assistants at Home and at Work! In this session we will be discussing a variety of issues that deal with Personal Assistants (PA). Among these will be how to create a position /job description, where to find and how hire a PA, how to effectively communicate with a PA, how to stay safe and secure, and how to terminate/fire a Personal Assistant safely.

Laurie Schwartz-VanZandt

Carol Simonds

Independence Across Borders

Have you always wanted to see the world? Are you interested in learning to speak another language, working in a far away place, volunteering, or meeting people with disabilities who are self-advocates in other countries?  This session will explore ways that participating in international exchange programs such as study abroad, work abroad, international internships, and volunteer abroad can expand independent living skills, increase transferable skills for work, increase self confidence, and shatter stereotypes! Attendees will also be provided with resources for planning their own international experience.

Melissa Mitchell

Introduction to Biomedical treatments for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This presentation will give an overview of first line biomedical interventions that are effective in improving health and function of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  We will discuss common medical issues as well as popular diets, nutritional supplementation and alternative treatments. 

Dr. Leigh Ann Chapman

Is your Child a Target of Bullying? This workshop is designed to introduce and define the 5 types of Bullying and Disability Harassment. We’ll talk about a range of intervention strategies for the child who is the target of bullying that can be used by the parent, the parent and child, and the family and school. It is intended as a general guideline, across all disabilities and age groups, for the development of a plan to address the unique needs of the child.  Donna Helman

Lewis and Clark had Sacagawea: Perspectives for parents of young children from a parent who has found her way

Learning your child experiences disability is the beginning of a new journey, one we seldom feel prepared for.  Roberta will share her perspectives, tips and tools for getting off to a great start.  This session is perfect for families with young children.

Roberta Dunn

Making Health Care Work for You and Your Family Through System Advocacy Oregon is in the midst of a major effort to reform health care services and delivery. The proposals being discussed could possibly change the way you and your family receive health care.  What do you think is needed to improve quality and access to health care for people with disabilities? How can you help to make sure your voice is heard in the Oregon health care reform discussions?

Kathryn Weit

Ellen Pinney

Making State Assessment Decisions for Students with Disabilities Every child in public school must take state-wide assessments in reading and math beginning at 3rd grade. Oregon’s state assessment system has many options. This training will help parents understand the different options for their student, and how to choose the option that will work best for their child. Robin Wortman

My Child's Life Care Notebook and Organizer

Time to bring all your bags, boxes and bins of papers, invoices and notes and put them all into your brand new My Child’s Life Care Notebook.  This is your opportunity to finally take the time to “get‘er done!” and walk home with a well-organized notebook for your child.

Mary Halvorson

Nothing is Delayed about Puberty!  Why it is important to provide Health & Sexuality Education to your child with a disability starting at a young age

This curriculum explores the “who, what, when, where, & how” about teaching our children and youth with disabilities about sex education.  The curriculum is not about “SEX”, but rather how our sexuality is developed over the span of our childhood & teenage years and why this information is so important for kids with disabilities to learn.  People with disabilities are at an increased risk for becoming victims of abuse, so the training delves into what skills and concepts kids need at every age level on the topic of Sexuality development and how we can teach these skills & concepts at home and how we might address them in the IEP.

Karen Ripplinger

Oregon Family Navigators: An Introduction

Always wanted to truly know how Oregon's System of Care works?  Interested in being paid for your work helping kids and families?  Come and get an insiders look at the new OREGON FAMILY NAVIGATORS training!  It's uniquely customized to meet community needs and is comprehensive across disabilities and the lifespan.   Theresa Rice

RTI (Response to Intervention)

School Systems in Oregon are getting smarter! Many schools are trying to address student behavior and learning issues before they become big problems. Come to this training and learn about RTI (Response to Intervention) and how they are working in schools around Oregon. 

Robin Wortman

Safe Transportation for All Children:  An Overview of Special Needs Transportation

The session will provide an overview of special needs transportation issues.  Prevalent medical conditions will be reviewed. Based on NHTSA's and the AAP's standards of best practice, appropriate use (selection, securing and installation) of conventional and specialized child restraints will be discussed. Proper transportation in a wheelchair will be covered.  

Tamara Franks 
Denise Cardinali

Self Advocacy 101

SA 101 training covers the basics to self-advocacy. We will explore what a self-advocate is, what an advocate is, ways to incorporate self-determination into our own lives, and what it means to be fully included in our communities. This training is great for new people being introduced to self-advocacy, and also for people who have been enmeshed in the disability community for years.

Self Advocates As Leaders

Sex Education for People Who Experience Disabilities

This session addresses when to talk about sexuality, how to address the issue with respect for the person's life experience and tools to use to provide information. Often the lack of education in this area leave people vulnerable to explotation. This discussion is designed to make the topic easier to address.

Geri Newton

Sexuality Forum

This session is designed to explore what sexuality is, and what it means to people with disabilities. Sexuality is not just about sex! Join us as we discuss what this means in our individual lives.

Self Advocates As Leaders

Sharing the Vision

This session will allow participants to understand how customized employment can be a reality for ANYONE regardless of the severity of a disability.  It will provide practical tools that can be used in any community to assess a person's abilities and then match those to the needs of the business community.

Liz Fox

Special Education Question & Answer

Come with your questions and get answers on the IEP and the Special Education Process.  OrPTI staff will be answering your questions.

OrPTI Staff

Supporting Inclusion of Young Children with Disabilities in Community Preschool Settings

This workshop will provide participants with background information on the research regarding inclusion of young children with disabilities in community preschool/child care settings and recommended practices for providing quality services in those settings.  Participants will learn strategies for supporting young children with disabilities and for embedding specialized instruction into those settings.  Participants will also be aware of national and statewide initiatives currently in process and resources available to assist with this collaborative work to serve all of our young children.

Pam Deardorff
Patricia M. Blasco

Supporting the Spiritual/Religious Life of People with Developmental Disabilities

This presentation will address the rationale behind the mandate to assess and provide spiritual/religious supports. Common challenges faced by support staff will be considered.  Practical "how-to's" will be provided regarding the development of purposeful spiritual life support that can enrich lives. Resources for further learning will be provided.

Dorothy Coughlin
Phil Mann
Bill West

The IEP Dance: Learning the Steps

The IEP process is like an   intricate dance, once you learn all the steps; it is easier to put it all together into a smooth flowing routine. This workshop is an intensive look at all the components that go into the development of the IEP, including the Present Level of Performance and how that statement drives services, including specialized instruction, and accommodations and modifications; the components of writing effective goals and objectives.

Karen Ripplinger

Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders in the Classroom

This workshop will discuss the criteria for diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome and will include an in depth description of all the symptomology.  It will also deal with the most common neurological disorders associated with TS, in particular, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning Disabilities and the impact of all of these disorders on social emotional well-being, classroom performance, family interaction and behavior.  It will include specific strategies and techniques for working with children with TS and its associated disorders in a variety of settings.

Susan Conners

Understanding Guardianship

Elaine will explain guardianship: the legal process, responsibilities, limitations and best practices. She will discuss issues to consider when deciding if guardianship is appropriate as well as alternatives. She will also address the relationship and roles between guardians, services coordinators and providers.

Elaine Friesen-Strang

Understanding Your Procedural Safeguards

Review of the IDEA Procedural Safeguards.  Translating from the “legal” version to what the safeguards mean in terms of daily practice, IEP implementation, and working and communicating with school districts.    

Rae Ann Ray

Violence Awareness: How to Protect Ourselves from Abuse

This presentation focuses on how to protect ourselves from being abused or neglected. We will discuss the five types of abuse and do role plays to give people a better understanding of what abuse looks like. Resources will be provided so we can stay safe, and help others stay safe as well.

Self Advocates As Leaders

We're All on the Same Team: Effective Parent/School  Collaboration

It is important for parents and schools to work well together to develop IFSP/IEPs for children. Come learn how to work WITH your school team from someone who has sat on all sides of the IEP table.

Kendra Wasson

What is a Peer/Family Support Coach?

What is a peer/family coach? A discussion presented by a family member on how peer/family coaches are being used in Lane County and other areas around the state to help other families learn how to use the mental health system. Learn how this could lead to possible employment

Lisa Moody

What We're Learning: Systems & Strategies for Including ALL Students in the Classroom

Russell Academy is a K-5 Elementary School in Portland, Oregon.  We are a full inclusion school.  Students who have been in specialized programs to support autism, behavioral issues and other disabilities are now supported in regular education classrooms. Systems and strategies are in place to meet the needs of all learners.    Participants will walk away with strategies to include all students in active learning and will have an understanding of systems that support inclusive education in an elementary school.

Teresa Stubbs
Shirley DuFresne
Wanda Dasler

What's the C.A.T.?  (Corridor of Accessible Travel)

Have you ever wanted to know the basic picture that was trying to be described when you read a government document? Seeing the C.A.T. in operation, will allow attendees to know 80% to 90% of what the Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines are built upon. Attendees will come away with a complete grasp of the basic building block of accessibility that has been used since 1961. It is applicable in every area that considers accessibility in the built environment.

Don Brandon

What's New with Children's Mental Health? An Overview of the Children's Mental Health System Change Initiative in Oregon

This presentation will provide an overview of Oregon's Children's Mental Health System Change Initiative (CSCI) and leave family members and professionals with an understanding of Oregon's mental health system.

Jammie Farrish
Lisa Moody

Work Incentives Network: When You Work, You WIN!

Thinking about work, but concerned about what will happen to your cash and/or healthcare benefits? The Work Incentives Network (WIN) provides benefits and work incentives planning services that assist you with making good choices about job opportunities. Learn what WIN is all about, and how you can get WIN support!

Molly Sullivan
Gene Rada

Writing IEP Goals: Are Your Child’s Goals Adequate and Appropriate? 

Writing Goals and objective are one of the most confusing aspects of the IEP. How do you know if your child’s IEP Goals meet their needs? We will talk about the importance of an accurate Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance statement; The connection to the general education curriculum; and components of Annual Goals. We’ll raise the questions of what is realistic and what is relevant? What should be included in a goal and is it measurable. Increase your opportunity to actively participate in your child’s IEP. 

Leah Skipworth
Victoria Haight

Questions? Contact us at info@oregonmegaconference.org

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