One way TASH keeps the annual conference affordable is through the support of sponsors. We are fortunate to have several sponsors who have already made a commitment to support the 2013 Conference in Chicago. Many thanks to the following organizations who have committed to support A Movement United:

The HSC Foundation and the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation through the National Youth Transitions Collaborative

Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services

MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning

Public Consulting Group

University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Disability and Human Development

University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability

We are so grateful for the support of these organizations. Thank you! If your organization is interested in learning more about supporting the 2013 TASH Conference, please contact Dawn Brown at dbrown@tash.org  or at 202-509-9596.

Read the rules and guidelines for submitting a proposal

TASH is excited to announce that the call for proposals is now open for the 2013 TASH Conference. We’re seeking presentations that reflect innovative ideas, programs and practices that lead to positive outcomes for people with significant disabilities. Do you have research, programs, a personal story or other information to share with conference attendees? Then please consider submitting your proposal. 

Important Dates

We’re accepting proposals from February 20 until 11:59 p.m. EST May 8, 2013

This year’s TASH Conference is December 11-14, 2013, in Chicago, Ill. (more info here)

We’ve updated the conference section or the site with all relevant information right here. If you’d like to share this news with a colleague or friend to encourage them to submit, pass along this flyer or just send them to http://tash.org/2013tash. 

Please send along any questions to conference@tash.org. We can’t wait to showcase the important work everyone is doing in the field of disabilities.

The TASH Conference audio recordings are perfect for folks who:

- Couldn’t make it to Long Beach for the conference
- Missed a session they really wanted to attend
- Want to revisit content from a session they attended

Ordering is easy. Just visit All Star Media and select the “order cd” option. The conference recordings will be available to order for a limited time, so don’t delay.

This year we have an interactive online schedule that includes all sessions, meetings and other happenings at the TASH Conference. You can select the ones you’re interested in attending and print out a personalized itinerary prior to the conference!

To set up an account with Sched.org:

1. Go to the online schedule site.
2. Select Sign Up at the top of the page (above the Tuesday, November 27 heading) and enter your name, email, and username details.
3. Once logged in, you can set up a profile that includes your headshot, bio, organization, and other information.

To set up your conference schedule on Sched.org:

1. Select Schedule at the top of the page (above the Tuesday, November 27 heading)
2. Browse the session/event listings and select the star for each session/event you are interested in attending.
3. To print off your schedule, select the Printer icon in the right-hand column and then select My Schedule.

The 2012 TASH Award winners are:

Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader Award

Jody Pirtle – Douglas, AZ

The Hayden Award is presented to a doctoral student enrolled in a program in education or a related field, and who demon¬strates potential for leadership in teaching, scholarship, and service on behalf of people with significant disabilities.

Marc Gold Award for Employment

Chris Button, ODEP

The inaugural Marc Gold Award for Employment goes to an individual who has made a significant contribution to increasing access to community, integrated employment for persons with significant disabilities. In addition to Chris Button being recognized, TASH will also honor Griffin-Hammis Senior Partner David Hammis, who passed away in August 2012.

Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship Award

Ingrid Stone & Susan Lucia, Kirkville, NY

The Larry J. Brumond Supportive Relationship Award honors two individuals who have maintained a mutu¬ally supportive relationship for at least five years in which the dreams and aspirations of the support recipient are supported in that person’s chosen home and community.

June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education Award

Administrator – Caroline Butler, Maple Wood Elementary, Somersworth, NH

Advocate – Linda Quintanilha, Bennington, NH

School – Willard Middle School, Berkeley, CA

District – Stoughton Area School District, Stoughton, WI

The purpose of the June Downing Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education Award is to honor the important and coura¬geous contributions of individuals and school districts in advancing inclusive education and equitable opportuni¬ties for students pre-school through grade 12, particularly those with the most significant disabilities and support needs. June Downing Awards go to deserving educators in several categories – Administrator, Advocate, School, and School District.

Positive Images in the Media Award

National – Pierre Tétrault Media for the film, “The ‘R’ Word”

Regional – Avalon Films for the video series, “Possibilities”

The TASH Positive Images in the Media Award honors presentations in print, film or other forms of media that pro¬mote positive images of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life. Awardees are recognized in two categories – National and Regional.

For more information on attending the TASH Conference, please visit www.tash.org/2012tash or call 202-540-9020.

Because unplanned disasters can have a profound impact on access to communication, the conference registration deadline has been moved from its original date on November 1, 2012. We hope the extension allows for people to focus on their families and communities first in this time of great need. Please note the following changes:

TASH Conference Regular Registration

You may register at the “regular” registration rates by November 6, 2012, at 12 p.m. PST. After this time, all attendees must pay the late registration fee.

The TASH staff is also dedicating additional support via telephone for those without reliable access to the Internet. For those in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast areas, you may call (202) 540-9020 to discuss registration options with a member of the staff. You may also reach us by e-mail at conference@tash.org at any time. For those with Internet access, you may still register by visiting www.tash.org/2012tash.

Thank you,

TASH

I am writing to ask you to encourage a deserving doctoral student to apply for the 2012 TASH Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader Award. This award is presented annually to a doctoral student enrolled in a program in education or a related field who demonstrates strong potential for leadership in teaching, scholarship, and service on behalf of people with significant disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to support and encourage the next generation of leaders in our field!

Interested doctoral students must submit a short application form, a current CV, a brief essay (500-1000 words) describing their current work on behalf of individuals with severe disabilities and professional objectives, and three letters of recommendation. The deadline is September 13, 2012. More information about the award and application process can be found at www.tash.org/about/award-programs/.

Please forward this opportunity on to promising students in our field. Feel free to contact me (erik.carter@vanderbilt.edu) if you have any questions.

Regards,

Erik Carter
Coordinator of the Alice H. Hayden Emerging Leader Award
for the TASH Publications Committee

Show your support of the TASH Conference by becoming a sponsor today! TASH thanks the HSC Foundation, Jay Nolan Community Services, the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Ability Magazine for their support of the 2012 TASH Conference!

An opening general session on inclusion is planned for Wednesday, November 28. This expert panel features Madeleine Will as moderator, along with Norman Kunc, Charlie Lakin, Barbara Ransom and Wayne Sailor as they address questions like: What have we accomplished in advancing inclusion? Why haven’t we done more? What can we do to ensure progress is made?

The closing general session on Friday, November 30, features Amy Brenneman, award-winning actress (Private Practice, Judging Amy and more!), advocate for children with disabilities, and parent, as she speaks about the importance of transitioning from segregated models of education towards innovative and fully inclusive schools where children with and without disabilities learn together.

Learn more about the 2012 TASH Keynote Speakers!

Note: Wednesday afternoon workshops from 1 – 5 p.m. and the Opening General Session are included in general conference registration. To learn more about this year’s conference schedule, visit www.tash.org/2012TASH.

Click to download the flyer for this event

Madeline Will

Madeleine Will is the current director of the National Down Syndrome Society, and has been a tireless advocate for persons with disabilities for three decades. She has also served as the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, as well as the Chairperson for the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. She is the parent of three children. Her son, Jonathan, has Down syndrome.

Norman Kunc

Norman Kunc is a well-known author, speaker and advocate within the disability rights community. His current work includes speaking engagements and training sessions for professionals, educators and advocacy groups. Born with cerebral palsy, Kunc was placed in a segregated school at an early age. He was integrated at age 13, and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Family Therapy.

Charlie Lakin

K. Charlie Lakin is Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. In his 40 years of experience as a teacher, researcher, consultant and advocate, Lakin has directed dozens of research and training projects and has authored or co-authored 300 publications based on that work. Mr. Lakin has consulted with state, federal and international agencies on matters of policy, research and evaluation.

Barbara Ransom

Barbara Ransom has more than 20 years experience as a plaintiff’s attorney in disability rights. She has represented individuals, classes and organizations in litigation relating to the U.S. Constitution, Americans with Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and various state constitutions and civil rights provisions. Ransom formerly served as Senior Attorney for Disability Rights California.

Wayne Sailor

Wayne Sailor is a Professor in the Department of Special Education, Senior Scientist with the Institute for Life Span Studies and Associate Director of the Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas. His research includes the Schoolwide Applications Model of structural school reform, which has undergone field testing in several U.S. school districts. Sailor is a founding member of TASH and has served as a member of the Board of Directors and as President.