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In this Issue: TASH News ◆ TASHcares News ◆ Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center News ◆ Community News ◆ Upcoming Events ◆ Thank You to Our Donors |
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Message from the Executive Director
As usual, the TASH Conference will feature numerous breakout sessions, workshops, networking and social events. Our general session on December 1st, “Advancing Opportunity for All: The Maryland Experience” will feature Carol Beatty (confirmed) who serves as Maryland’s Secretary for the Department of Disabilities. We’ve also invited Governor Wes Moore to join us to highlight progress in Maryland to advance equity, opportunity and inclusion for all people with disabilities. At the general session on Saturday, December 2, we’ll hear from Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt, the Director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) on the topic of Disability Inclusivity and Representation in Research. Our annual Awards Luncheon will recognize TASH members and allies who have advanced our mission, including this year’s TASH Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Bob Williams. Bob co-founded CommunicationFIRST in 2019 after retiring from a distinguished four-decade career in federal and state government and the non-profit sector, most recently as Director of the US Independent Living Administration at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Please note there is an online ticket option for the Award Luncheon for those who wish to attend but can’t come to the entire Conference; choose “Award Luncheon Only” as your ticket. I hope you can join us in Baltimore in just a few weeks’ time! With appreciation, Michael Brogioli |
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TASH News |
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A Great Lineup of Keynotes and Awardees!We have assembled a powerful group of presenters and honorees at the 2023 TASH Conference at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore Maryland, November 30 – December 2, 2023.
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Award recipients will be acknowledged at the Membership Luncheon & Awards Ceremony on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 11:30 AM–1:00 PM (Local Time) during the 2023 TASH Conference. Congratulations to all of this year’s outstanding award winners! |
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Volunteer Opportunities Now AvailableThe TASH Conference would not happen without the support of our amazing volunteers! This year is no exception. TASH members who sign up to volunteer for ten hours (two shifts) will receive $150 off the full Conference registration rate. Volunteer roles include registration desk, hall and room monitors and information desk staff. For additional details, to sign up and indicate your preferred shifts, visit our Volunteer Application Form. |
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TASH Conference
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2023 TASH Conference Silent AuctionJoin us at the 2023 TASH Conference Silent Auction! This special event will showcase a range of items and experiences. The best part? Every dollar raised directly supports TASH’s national advocacy efforts. We encourage you to participate, bid, and be a part of our mission to create a more inclusive world. Visit the Atrium on Friday, December 2, anytime between 8:00 AM and 7:30 PM Eastern, near the registration desk to explore the array of fun and unique items available! If you have something you would like to contribute to the auction, contact Natalie Holdren at natalie.holdren@gmail.com. |
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Board Voting Open Through FridayThis is a reminder to TASH members to vote in the 2023 Board of Directors election. Voting is open now and will close at midnight Eastern Time on Friday, November 3rd. Voting is limited to current TASH members. You will need to log in to your member account to access the Board ballot. If you don’t know your user name or password, you can have a link to reset your account sent to your e-mail address by clicking here. |
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Competitive Integrated Employment and Home and Community Based Services Bills in the 118th Congress
You can sign up for access alerts, read position statements and other resources, find out your Congress people and send them message using TASH and SABE’s joint Action Center. |
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Advancing Access and Equity for People with Disabilities through Innovations in Technology
Join us as we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), focused on how technology has the potential to advance access and equity for people with disabilities. Innovative technology tools ranging from assistive technology to augmentative intelligence are continually evolving to increase independence by providing accommodations or enhancing access to information and services. The panel of innovative thinkers share how designing technology solutions for the needs of the customer with a disability to overcome barriers in transportation, education, and housing increases opportunities to advance competitive, integrated employment. Additionally, the panel highlights how partnerships play a key role in generating new creative solutions to increase access and equity in the workforce and our communities. The webinar originally streamed on October 10, 2023. You can watch the complete webinar as a recording here. |
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New Publications from the Disability Employment Technical Assistance CenterThe Evolution of Assistive Technology: Advancing Access and Equity – Then, Now, and NextThe Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988 was passed to provide funding to states for AT. The law was reauthorized in 2004 by converting funding from competitive grants to a formula grant program. The reauthorization resulted in a key shift to place individuals with disabilities at the forefront of service planning. During this time, the digital age advanced quickly with the invention of off-the-shelf assistive technology devices, adding to assistive technology options. However, people with disabilities continue to represent the group with the least amount of access to technology devices and internet access. In 2022, Congress reauthorized the Assistive Technology Act through legislation titled The 21st Century Assistive Technology Act. This legislation updated and modernized the AT Act and went into effect during June 2023. Read the full report here. |
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Follow DETAC on social media for news and resources:
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Spotlight on Research |
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Making Every Minute Count:
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Community News |
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DOL Hosting 14(c) Program Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
TASH Executive Director Michael Brogioli represented TASH at a Department of Labor Stakeholder Engagement Session for national advocacy organizations on October 20 that included senior officials from DOL. He reiterated TASH’s position that the 14(c) program is outdated and ought to be phased out and eliminated, and that DOL should increase support for programs and policies that advance competitive, integrated employment. The first public engagement session was held on October 26. Additional sessions are scheduled for 2:00–3:30 PM Eastern, November 1, 2023 and 5:30–7:00 PM Eastern, November 15, 2023 For more information, you can read DOJs announcement of the review. To attend or speak at one of the upcoming stakeholder sessions, fill out the signup form. |
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Upcoming Events |
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Thank You to Our Donors! We would like to thank everyone who donated to TASH in September 2023. We are grateful to all of our supporters who help us achieve equity, opportunity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. Thank you! |
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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 Copyright © 2023 TASH, All rights reserved. You are receiving this e-mail because you are or were a TASH member, attended a TASH event, or signed up to receive TASH newsletters. Want to change how you receive these emails? Donate to TASH | Become a Member |
We’re looking forward to the 
Carol Beatty, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities, will be the keynote speaker at our 
Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt, the Director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and two-time wheelchair racing Paralympian and medalist, will be they keynote speaker at our 
Bob Williams, co-founder of CommunicationFIRST and former Director of the US Independent Living Administration at the US Department of Health and Human Services, will be the recipient of TASH’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented at the 
TASH has been involved in conversations with other disability rights organizations and legislative staff over two current bills:
Hannah Brenner, TASH Early Career Researcher, and Dr. Stacy Dymond share strategies to help teachers identify instructional opportunities for students with extensive support needs who participate in community-based work experiences. In their paper, they describe how to use an IEP Matrix to assess the feasibility of instruction on IEP goals during community-based work experiences. 
