The 2012 TASH Conference will kick off with an Opening General Session on Wednesday, November 28 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.  What better way to kick-off three days of training and advocacy at the 2012 TASH Conference than to hear from inclusion leaders Madeleine Will (moderator), Norman Kunc, Charlie Lakin, Barbara Ransom, and Wayne Sailor! As part of a panel, these leaders will look to lessons from the past and the present as they think through advancing inclusion in the future.

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.tashorgstg.wpengine.com/2012TASH.

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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.