Message from the Executive Director

As we near the end of Summer, TASH looks forward to our 9th Annual Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Symposium and Award Celebration in Washington, DC on September 9. Once again, we will celebrate a champion for disability rights who has advanced opportunities for people with disabilities. This year, we will honor Senator Bob Casey for his exceptional leadership in the U.S. Senate, including his signature achievement: the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in 2014. Widely regarded as the most impactful disability rights legislation since the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ABLE Act allows people with disabilities to save for education, housing, and other essential needs in tax-advantaged savings accounts. Tens of thousands of individuals with disabilities now benefit from these accounts. TASH looks forward to honoring Senator Casey at the evening Award Celebration at the American University Washington College of Law and to hearing from our keynote speaker, Alison Barkoff.

Earlier that day during our afternoon Symposium (which has both in person and virtual attendance options) we will hear from experts on international, federal, and state levels to explore how we move forward in this moment by addressing some big challenges but also opportunities to advance disability policies and programs that benefit our communities. I hope many of you can join us, virtually or in-person, for the Symposium and for the in-person Award Celebration. You can find more information at the event website.

With best wishes for a Happy Labor Day Weekend, and with appreciation,

Michael Brogioli

TASH News

• There are only three weeks left to register for the 2025 TASH Conference at the Early Bird rate! Early-bird rates are available through midnight, Monday, September 15.
• The complete 2025 TASH Conference schedule is now available online! There will be 15 Day One Intensive Workshops, the Research Colloquium, 140 Breakout Sessions, 27 Poster Presentations, 9 TASH Talks, TASH’s 50^th Anniversary Welcome Reception and so much more to explore!
• There are just three days left to submit your nominations for TASH’s Awards Recognition Program. Nominations are due Sunday, August 31, 2025.
• Scholarships and Volunteering are two ways to reduce the cost of attending the 2025 TASH Conference. The scholarship and volunteer applications both close Sunday, August 31, 2025.
• The Early Career Researcher Network Emerging Scholars scholarship application is due September 15.
• Increase Your Profile by Sponsoring at the 2025 TASH Conference! To see what options we offer, check out the 2025 TASH Conference Sponsor and Exhibitor Prospectus.

Disability Law Symposium Presenters

There are less than two weeks left to register for TASH’s 2025 Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Symposium and Award Celebration. Join us as we honor this year’s honoree, Senator Bob Casey.

College Planning for Students with Disabilities Webinar Series Starts September 3

In this dynamic 3-part online series, participants will learn about the expanding college options for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Pennsylvania and beyond. Find out what options and supports are available, how and when to prepare for success (hint: it’s never too early!), and hear firsthand from college students and grads. Bring your questions! The three episodes are:

• The Basics, The Myths, The Possibilities – September 3
• Planning for Success – September 10
• Real Talk: The College Experience – September 17

Last Week of TASH Membership Campaign Contest

We’re calling on our amazing community to help grow the TASH network! Encourage your friends, co-workers, family members, and allies to join us in advancing disability rights, inclusive education, and social justice. Read more on how to participate in our annual membership drive and how TASH will recognize your efforts at our post on the TASH blog. The contest closes Friday, September 5th.

TASH’s 2025 Webinar Series Resumes October 2

After a summer hiatus, TASH’s 2025 Webinar Series resumes with “Enhancing Behavioral Health in IDD Communities”, presented by Crystal Hicks. Learn more and register here. If you have missed the series so far, you can watch past episodes as recordings on TASH’s YouTube channel.

Save the date: please join CalTASH at their 2026 Conference in Sacramento on February 27–28, 2026 at Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront by Hilton. The call for proposals and early-bird registration are coming soon.

Cal-TASH Board Retreat

Cal-TASH held their board retreat on July 18–19 in Sacramento, California. They welcomed two new board members, elected their new officers, as well as planned for an exciting year ahead.

The 2025-2026 Cal-TASH Board: front row, left to right: Lisa Yamazaki (Financial Officer) and Ryan Duncanwood; second row, left to right: Daniel Stickney, Shirley Rodriguez, Blanca Chavez (new board member), Ruth Ellis (President); Eileen Medina (Conference Chair) and Jean Gonsier-Gerden (TASH President); third row, left to right: Suad Bisogno (Vice-President), Megan Gross (New Board Member), Brandon Gruber, Jodie Agnew-Navarro (Past President) and Trinity Suriano (Secretary).

Spotlight on Research

Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 50 Year Retrospective, Series Introduction

Today we begin a five-part podcast series recognizing the 50th anniversary of Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities (or RPSD). In this first episode, Dr. Craig Kennedy, the editor of RPSD, introduces the series, explaining this year-long retrospective examination of four outstanding publications in the history of research on inclusion for people with disabilities and how they impacted the field. Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or on the TASH blog here.

Community News

The EDDIE Awards Gala, celebrating entrepreneurs with disabilities, takes place on Thursday, September 25, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. This year’s award ceremony will feature 15 entrepreneurs with disabilities and a trio of keynote speakers. The EDDIEs, hosted by Synergies Work and the Synergies Seed Fund, together raising funds to directly support disability-owned businesses with capital, mentorship, and resources. Learn more and register here.

• Innovations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Job Seekers Webinar
  The LEAD Center’s July 30 webinar, “Policy in Action: State-Level Innovation with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Job Seekers at American Job Centers” is available as a recording. Gain insights that move beyond basic service strategies and into statewide coordination.
  Learn from real-world examples in California, Kansas, and Delaware and hear from those who have rolled up their sleeves and made real changes to strengthen communication access and ensure consistent service delivery for Deaf customers! bit.ly/46cinKW.
• Secure Your Financial Future Toolkit
  Now is always the perfect time to access the Secure Your Financial Future Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities from the Department of Labor! Explore resources on preparing for a job, including guides on developing skills through apprenticeships, internships, volunteer opportunities, and more! bit.ly/3U87in3.
• Data Visualization Tool
  How well are workforce programs serving people with disabilities in your state?
  Find out quickly and clearly with LEAD Center’s WIOA Data Visualization Tool! Use the tool to view national and state-level trends, compare WIOA outcomes across states, and more! Try it today: bit.ly/4572IeR.

District of Columbia 2025 Employment First Summit Call for Proposals

The DC Employment First Summit is an annual gathering that brings together community members, employers, advocates, and policymakers united in advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. They are seeking proposals for engaging 50-minute presentations on employment issues. You can submit your proposal using the CFP Google form. Proposals are due Friday, August 29, 2025. For questions or assistance, contact Kevin Wright at kevin.wright@dc.gov or Alison Whyte at alison.whyte@dc.gov or call or text: (202) 340-8563.

The DC Employment First Summit will be 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC.

UC-Davis Mind Institute 2025 Summer Institute on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

If you missed the UC-Davis Mind Institute 2025 Summer Institute on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, all the sessions have been recorded and are available as a YouTube playlist.

Recent News on Disability Programs

Two recent articles on community living and inclusive education of interest to members:

1. Fears Grow That Trump Will Cut Special Education Support Funding, Education Week, August 14, 2025
2. The Madden Sisters Don’t Want to Be Institutionalized, The New York Times, August 18, 2025

Employment Opportunities

Seeking a Values-Based Employee or Employer?
Post Your Job or Resume on TASH’s New Career Center

TASH has expanded our career offerings with our new full-blown Career Center. When you post your resume as a TASH member, you will be listed higher in search results and e-mails to employers. Job postings start at $199 for a 30-day advertisement for TASH members and $249 for non-members. Join TASH today to make your next career move.

Upcoming Events

Thank You to Our Donors!

We would like to thank everyone who donated to TASH in August 2025. We are grateful to all of our supporters who help us achieve equity, opportunity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. Thank you!

TASH advances equity, opportunity and inclusion for people with disabilities, with a focus on those with the most significant support needs, in the areas of education, employment and community living through advocacy, research and practice. More information about TASH can be found at www.tash.org.

TASH
1201 15^th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20005 | (202) 808-8148 | info@tash.org

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