2022 Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Virtual Symposium & Award Celebration

Event Details

Wednesday, July 13, 2022
1:00 – 5:00 PM:ET: Legal Symposium
7:00 – 8:00 PM ET: Award Celebration

Each year, TASH celebrates those who have made history in the disability field, and who have worked tirelessly in the legal field for equity, opportunity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. TASH is pleased to announce the sixth annual Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Virtual Symposium and Award Celebration, on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. A half-day legal symposium will explore, From Solid Foundations Come Strong Supports, followed by a celebration of Michael S. Lottman for his exceptional leadership in disability law.

About Our Distinguished Honoree – Michael S. Lottman, JD

A portrait of Michael Lottman. Michael Lottman began his long career in mental and developmental disability law in 1973 when he joined the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and was promptly assigned as the government’s lead attorney in the historic lawsuit against the infamous Willowbrook State School. This led to a flurry of hearings, a trial on the merits, and extended negotiations alongside the great Bruce Ennis and others which resulted in the landmark Willowbrook Consent Judgment (1975). After this settlement was reached, Mr. Lottman was selected to serve with six others on the part-time Willowbrook Review Panel, a monitoring body which he had helped to design. Later, changing hats, he became the lead plaintiffs’ attorney for a time and continued to participate in various compliance activities until a permanent (misnomer) injunction was entered in 1993.

Inspired by the Willowbrook experience, which he always considered the high point of his career … [Read More]

Agenda

1:00-5:00 PM ET | Legal Symposium

1:00 - 1:15 PM ET	Welcome and Opening Remarks
	Presenters Michael Brogioli, Executive Director, TASH Mathew McCollough, Director, District of Columbia Office of Disability Rights Alison Barkoff, Principal Deputy Administrator, Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

1:15 - 2:15 PM ET	Meeting the Challenge – Making Community Living a Reality
	All people have the right to live and participate in the community of their choosing. Panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities to true community living, including issues around housing, implementation of the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver and systems reform of Day Habilitation services. Moderator Judith A Gran, Esq., Partner, Reisman Carolla Gran & Zuba, LLC Presenters Jennifer Lengyel, Executive Director, Total Living Concept and President, TASH Board of Directors Michael S. Lottman, JD, Attorney Ricardo and Donna Thornton, Advocates

2:15 - 2:30 PM ET	Break

2:30 - 3:30 PM ET	Using Our Voice – Protecting Voting Rights
	People with disabilities and other marginalized communities face growing threats to voting access and rights. Panelists will explore legislative and litigation efforts to address this threat, including through PAVA, Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access, as well as self-advocacy initiatives to inform and empower voters are disabled. Moderator Hezzy Smith, Esq., Director of Advocacy Initiatives, Harvard Law School Project on Disability (HPOD) Presenters David T. Hutt, Ph.D., Deputy Executive Director for Legal Services and General Counsel, National Disability Rights Network Cheri Mitchell, Self-Advocate, The Georgia Advocacy Office, Inc. Rebecca S. Williford, Esq., Deputy Director of Litigation, Disability Rights Advocates

3:30 - 3:45 PM ET	Break

3:45 - 4:45 PM ET	Closing the Gap – Advancing Inclusive Education

	Students with disabilities, including those with the most significant support needs, should be educated in general education classrooms alongside their nondisabled peers. Panelists will explore issues around the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA) to advance integrated education where all schools have high expectations for all students. Moderator Frank Laski, Esq., Attorney Presenters Mary A. Falvey, Ph.D., Emeriti Professor, California State University, Los Angeles Tia Nelis, Self-Advocacy Engagement Coordinator, TASH Barbara E. Ransom, Esq., Attorney, Law Office of Barbara E. Ransom

4:45 - 5:00 PM ET	Closing Remarks

7:00-8:00 PM ET | Award Celebration

Please join us for a lively celebration in honor of Michael S. Lottman's lifetime of work dedicated to the civil and human rights of people with disabilities.

7:00 – 7:05 PM ET	Welcome and Evening Overview

7:05 – 7:25 PM ET	Keynote Presentation
	Moderator Regina "Gina" Kline, Esq., Founder and CEO of Smart Job, LLC Presenters Katherine "Katy" Neas, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education Sachin Dev Pavithran, Ph.D., Executive Director, U.S. Access Board

7:25 – 8:00 PM ET	Celebrating Michael S. Lottman, JD

Ticket Pricing

Below are the ticket prices for our virtual Legal Symposium and Award Celebration:

	Members	Non-members
Professional	$110	$120
Student	$65	$75
Self-Advocate/Family/Retired	$50	$60

Wait! Before purchasing tickets, did you know that event sponsorships include from one to six tickets? Check out our event prospectus here or sign up to be a sponsor online here.

Sponsorship & Advertisement Opportunities

As a sponsor of TASH’s Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Virtual Symposium & Award Celebration, your organization will be given a platform to share its story and build brand awareness. Attendees include thought leaders, professionals, policymakers, self-advocates and more! Your investment helps further TASH’s impact on the lives of people with disabilities and helps ensure that they’ll live a life of full inclusion. View our sponsorship and advertisement prospectus.

Become a Sponsor