TASH TECH Workshop sessions include a range of topic areas at a variety of educational levels.This year’s preconference program has TECHs for the experienced professional looking to gain insight, helpful strategies for parents and need-to know information for students looking to gain an edge by learning from leading experts.

TASH TECH Workshops are scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2009 and are offered in either full-day or half-day formats.

Please note: An additional registration fee is required for the TASH TECHs. Attendees may register for a TASH TECH only, or in addition to, the conference registration. Pre-registration is advised, as there will be no wait list for sold-out TECHs. Registration for TASH TECHs includes admission to one full-day or one to two half-day TASH TECHs, TECH handouts (if provided by the presenters), and a conference program. TASH TECH materials are not available for purchase.

Full day Workshops – 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Half-Day Morning Workshops – 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Half-day Afternoon Workshops – 12:30 P.M to 4:30 P.M.

Full-Day Workshops – 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
TT1 – A Working Life: Customizing and Supporting Jobs in Difficult Times
John Butterworth, UMass Boston, Boston, MA; Michael Callahan and Norciva Schumpert, Marc Gold and Associates/Employment for All, Gautier, MI; Ellen Condon, University of Montana/Marc Gold and Associates, Missoula, MT; Richard Luecking and Debra Martin Luecking, Transcen, Inc., Rockville, MD
Members of the Employment Committee will address practical strategies for maintaining a clear focus on employment as a preferred adult lifestyle, and building and supporting high quality employment outcomes despite difficult economic times. In this TASH TECH you will learn about the challenges and opportunities in expanding integrated employment, the role of customized employment in establishing a negotiated rather than competitive approach to employment, and explore strategies for arranging effective supports in community workplaces.

Half-Day Morning Workshops – 8:00 AM to NOON
TT2 – Think College: Postsecondary Education for People With Developmental Disabilities
Debra Hart, Cate Weir and Maria Paiewonsky, University of Massachusetts Boston; Meg Grigal, TransCen, Inc., Rockville, MD; Meghan Trowbridge,University of South Carolina
This session will describe current postsecondary education initiatives at the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston, discuss the results of a national survey of postsecondary options and present findings from Participatory Action Research through presentations from student researchers. Participants will use digital tools to document their own perceptions of postsecondary education for individuals with developmental disabilities. These will be collected and incorporated into a digital story that will be presented at the end of the day.

TT3 – Including Everyone in Service-Learning
Pamela Gent, Clarion University, Clarion, PA
Due to recent funding increases, the use of service-learning will increase. Educators need to ensure that students with disabilities are included in service-learning and reap the benefits of service-learning. This presentation will outline the six components of service-learning, the standards for servicelearning, how to develop inclusive service-learning, how to link service-learning to the academic standards or IEP goals/objectives, how to capture service-learning funds, and how to evaluate service-learning.

TT4 – Having Our Say: Families and Self Advocates Discuss the
Impact of Culture
Beth Harry, University of Miami; Ginger Kwan, Self Parent Consultant, Kent WA;
Sookyung Shin, Self Parent Consultant, Norman, OK; Keith Jones, SoulTouchin’
Experience, Boston, MA; Ralph Edwards, MA DMR, Boston, MA, Susie Schaefer,
Self Consultant, Edmonds, WA; Sungho Park, University of California Los Angeles
In an intentional nurturing/empowering environment, families and self advocates of color will share their experiences through their own cultural lens in accessing and receiving services and interacting with providers. Cultural dynamics, communication styles and respectful interactions will be examined. Teachers, providers, directors, supervisors, managers, policy makers, as well
as all families and self advocates of color, will learn about the potential impact of cultural competency in developing and implementing effective family/provider partnerships, constructive engagement, and successful outcomes.

Half-Day Afternoon Workshops – 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM
TT5 – Transition Assessment and Students With Significant Disabilities: Developing a Comprehensive Planning Process
Mary Morningstar and Mary Pearson, University of Kansas
This session will offer a dynamic process for assessing students with significant disabilities during the transition to supported adulthood.Participants will learn how to support youth and families during the transition planning and assessment process. A framework of what, how, where, with whom, and when to assess will help participants create a transition assessment
toolkit. Reviewing a range of existing assessment methods and instruments appropriate for students with significant disabilities and approaches for modifying existing assessments will also be shared.

TT6 – Tools to Support the Adoption of Inclusive Schooling Practices
Gail McGregor, University of Montana; Jeannine Brinkley, PA Department of
Education, Harrisburg, PA
Tools and strategies associated with a statewide effort to improve LRE practices in Pennsylvania will be shared. Pennsylvania’s Inclusive Practices Evidence-Based Self-Assessment, used by school teams to identify areas for improvement, will be reviewed. Next, the Supplementary Aids and Services (SaS) Consideration Toolkit, a multi-component process that guides IEP teams in considering regular classrooms, with the use of SaS, as the first placement option for students with disabilities, will be described. Implementation strategies and outcomes will be reported.

TT7 – Effective Application of Cultural Competency Training, Techniques, and Technology
Barb Trader, TASH, Washington, DC; Susan Yuan, Yuan and Associates, Burlington, VT; Ginger Kwan, Self Parent Consultant, Kent, WA; Jay Vega, Jay Vega and Assciates, Brockton, MA; Carl McCargo, Boston, MA; Ralph Edwards, MA DMR, Boston, MA
This session will describe and provide from practice proven strategies to enhance personal and organizational cultural competency; share best practices; discuss difficult and complex situations; and identify resources for further information, technical and assistance assistance. This session is geared to administrators, managers, policy makers and others interested in improving cultural competency. Participants are encouraged to also attend the morning
diversity session “Having Our Say.”