The Conference on Serving Adults with Disabilities is an invaluable platform that encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing among a diverse group of experts, professionals, and advocates, including family members and friends of individuals with disabilities. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about innovative strategies and best practices aimed at enhancing the lives of adults with disabilities.
The theme of "Moving Forward" underscores the importance of progress and adaptation in our approaches to disability services and supports. By fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives can be shared, the conference seeks to inspire participants to embrace new ideas and implement effective solutions. This collective effort not only highlights current advancements in the field but also encourages ongoing dialogue and collaboration that can lead to transformative change for individuals with disabilities and their communities. Together, we can pave the way for a more inclusive future.
SCHEDULE
ACCOMMODATIONS
If you have a disability and need assistance, please contact Carol Boin at boin@edadvance.org by May 1, 2025, to ensure appropriate accommodations can be arranged.
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY
To ensure consistency, the cancellation and refund policy for the conference is as follows:
The policy concerning refunds and cancellations cannot be waived. However, registration fees can be transferred to another individual. A registrant may designate someone else to attend in their place after making arrangements with ATDN.
Artificial Intelligence tools are transforming education and creating new opportunities to break down barriers for individuals with disabilities. As we prepare all students for a future shaped by AI, it’s essential to prioritize skills like critical thinking, managing ambiguity, and creativity—while ensuring accessibility and equity remain at the forefront.
For clients who are seeking services, a history of traumatic experience(s) is extremely common. However, the impact of trauma can be challenging for service providers to recognize. This session will provide an understanding of the impact of trauma, provide a practical way of using a trauma-informed/responsive approach, and provide a brief overview of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
When you see someone with a noticeable disability, does your inner system change? Might you have some bias about disabilities? We will look at and unpack the common biases associated with people who have a disability. And learn what we can do to see it, change it, and prevent it.
What makes a guide dog special? The phrase is selective disobedience. We will explore the myths about how guide dogs do what they do and how... and why.... they do it so well.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are the largest public health crisis to be identified in the past thirty years. Traumatic childhood experiences (toxic stress/trauma) impact a child’s daily life in the home, in school, and in the community as they grow. These adversities in childhood also impact adult health and well-being, often identified as PTSD well into adulthood. Both the impact of ACEs and the healing protocols will be explored in this session.
This session will encourage participants to begin to have conversations about problem gambling with peers and the ones they serve. It is designed to increase awareness about gambling and problem gambling in the community while sharing resources for other interested and/or affected stakeholders.
We all have limitations. Isn't it interesting that in our society, we label some limitations and accept others as part of the human condition? How do you know when you are convinced that something is "true"? We tend to stigmatize limitations as a disability. Join Dan Bracken for a thought-provoking session on our perceptions.
Educators, community providers, state agency partners, and families have a daily opportunity to support individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals and dreams. This session will introduce attendees to Charting the LifeCourse and demonstrate how it can be used to create a Person-Centered Plan. Participants will explore CtLC planning methods and the tools available within this approach.