Keynote Speaker: Bianca Pagel-Miller

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“Hi, I’m Bianca” My journey with autism including my ups & downs … community support … building a village … my family, education etc … Sharing myself with others. 

Special Entertainment Provided by: The Rodgers Family

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Evening Reception with Vendors & Snapshot Presentations

Keynote Speaker: Haley Moss

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Topic: The Language of Disability and the Inclusion Revolution
Stereotypes, stigmas, and notions of ableism make disability a sensitive topic to discuss among ourselves, with families, and with disabled people. Nuances in the language surrounding disabilities make the discussion even more difficult for non-disabled friends, colleagues, and community members to join. Too often, those best equipped to teach the language of disability — people with disabilities themselves — are silenced and unheard, rather than empowered to lead the conversation on disability inclusion in society. As part of this session, the audience is invited to join the ‘Inclusion Revolution’ to build a bridge between people with and without disabilities by facilitating effective, real conversation in a meaningful and productive way. Attendees will enjoy a candid, no fluff conversation about disability, allyship, and removal of barriers to access from the personal perspective.

 Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI):

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How Do We Grow Connections & Cultivate Communities? – Cheri Scott

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1. Empowering the next generation of Neurodiverse Self-Advocates: Haley Moss

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Often when we think of advocacy, we think of effecting policy change or work that our lawmakers do. However, self-advocacy for people on the autism spectrum is an entirely different ball game and covers a lot of ground – it can be effective communication in personal, educational, and professional settings. It could be as simple as saying yes or no, or as complicated as standing up for your rights, or creating change. Furthermore, advocacy skills can be used to create positive changes for autistic individuals, their families, friends, allies, and their communities. This session aims to bust advocacy myths, encourage self-advocacy, teach self-advocacy skills and strategies, and inform all communities about larger goals and issues being tackled that self-advocacy skills could be valuably applied to.

2. What’s life after 18?: Rami Pagel-Miller

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“I want to share my stories and experiences with you and hear yours as we discuss our children’s lives after they turn 18 years old. I realize you might not be there yet, but it happens fast, and there’s much to learn, plan for, and discuss, so let’s connect and start the conversation together. You are not alone.”

3. Internet Safety: North Paw K9 Search and Recovery

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4. Division of Vocational Rehab: Gina Bastian

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Are you curious about finding a job, but now sure what steps to take?  Let’s explore the world of work and the process for Vocational Rehabilitation services.   

5. Building skills for youth to access Healthcare: Joanne Singleton

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Adolescence is a time of transition, when young adults need support, guidance, and time to gain knowledge and develop decision-making skills for adulthood. Part of this process includes learning skills and using tools that will help them plan for and make healthcare decisions, as well as how to access medical care and to practice self-management skills for making healthy living choices. There will also be an opportunity to discuss the role parents, guardians, and caregivers play in supporting adolescents with the development of knowledge and skill as they assume more responsibility for their own care. The process for offering a coordinated healthcare transition process, while acknowledging challenges that make it difficult for some adolescents, parents, and medical providers to access or offer transition services and education will also be discussed.