Opening Doors to College & Careers Conference
OCCURRED:
8:30am-4:30pm, May 9, 2012
LOCATION:UVM Davis Center, Burlington, Vermont
Sponsored by Center on Disability & Community Inclusion/UVM, Vermont APSE Conference, and Think College VT@CDCI/UVM.
Opening Doors to College & Careers: Opportunities for people with disabilities including intellectual disabilities are constantly expanding to include University/College, Customized Employment, Post-Secondary Education, & Self-Employment. Feel free to explore our day of exciting presentations on inclusive community options; a detailed agenda and materials from the event are available, here!
CDCI and Think College Vermont were honored to co-sponor this unique event alongside VT-APSE. Please feel free to visit our conference partner's website after exploring this one!
Schedule of Events
You can click on some of the agenda items for more information and to download presentation materials!
| AGENDA | |
|---|---|
| 8:00 - 9:00 | Registration, Coffee Social, and Explore Vendor Tables |
| 9:00 - 9:30 | Welcome and Keynote Address (Sister Janice Ryan) |
| 9:30 - 10:30 | Opening Panel Presentation |
| 10:30 - 10:45 | BREAK, Explore Vendor Tables |
| 10:45 - 12:00 | Concurrent Sessions A |
| 12:00 - 12:15 | BREAK, Coffee and Tea, Explore Vendor Tables |
| 12:15 - 1:00 | Luncheon Student/Employee Panel (Sandwich Buffet) |
| 1:00 - 1:15 | BREAK, Explore Vendor Tables |
| 1:15 - 2:30 | Concurrent Sessions B |
| 2:30 - 2:45 | BREAK, Afternoon Snack, Explore Vendor Tables |
| 2:45 - 4:00 | Concurrent Sessions C |
| 3:00 - 4:30 | Closing: APSE Annual Meeting, Recognition Ceremony Slideshow, & Door Prizes |
View a list of our wonderful SPONSORS!
Registration Fees
- Professional: $75.00
- Self-Advocate (student or supported employee with a disability): $25.00
- Vendor/Display Table: $35.00 (plus individual registration fee)
APSE Members were able to deduct $10.00 from the total fee. An APSE Membership Number was required. You can feel free to join APSE now, and attend our next conference at the reduced rate!
Scolarships may be available to persons with disabilities upon request. Call 802-656-1345 for more information.
For more information please contact Bryan Dague, Ed. D.
OPENING REMARKS
Susan Ryan, Project Director Think College Vermont, University of Vermont, Center on Disability & Stirling Peebles, Think College Vermont Student and GMSA Employee
Opening remarks and general logistics.
Presentation Materials:
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Sister Janice Ryan
Sister Janice Ryan began teaching at Cathedral grammar school and
junior high school in Burlington, VT. Her experiences with an
after-school assignment working with children with developmental
disabilities led her to a master’s degree in special education,
curriculum development in the field, and eventually to organizing
support for successful passage of mainstreaming legislation in
1972, the first such law in the country.As president of Trinity
College, she was instrumental in starting Enhance: a
post-secondary education program for students with intellectual
and developmental disabilities, one of the first of its kind in
the country. In addition to teaching and leading Trinity College
as president for 17 years, she has worked on projects to ban land
mines and eliminate the death penalty, lobbied for mainstreaming
special needs children, and served as Vermont’s deputy
commissioner of corrections. She recently received an Honorary
Doctoral Degree from the University of Vermont.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS A (10:45AM - 12:00PM)
Think College Vermont @ UVM and JSC
Susan Ryan, Project Director Think College Vermont, University of Vermont, Center on Disability & Community Inclusion (CDCI); Bryan Dague, Program Coordinator and Employment specialist; Pat Mueller, Project Evaluator, Ellen McShane, UVM Student Support Service Director and Think College Financial Specialist; Perry LaRoque, Johnson State College; Chris Kennedy, Program Coordinator
UVM/JSC Faculty and Think College staff will present the academic, social, employment and living aspects of the Think College Project. Participants will come away with a clearer understanding of post-secondary education at UVM/JSC. Particular emphasis will be on the inclusive nature of this project and the focus on the outcome of employment.
Presentation Materials:
The SUCCEED Program
Jen Mitchell, Howard Center Succeed Program
This workshop will highlight SUCCEED, an innovative post secondary program that provides education, campus life, career development and student housing support to individuals with intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Students in SUCCEED build skills for independence and community connections while participating in a college experience. This workshop will provide an overview of the program, data on student outcomes, as well as transition planning strategies to prepare young adults for successful post-secondary education and independent living experiences.
Presentation Materials:
Employer's Expectations
Jodi Whalen, August First Bakery and Stacks Sandwich Shop
Jodi Whalen brings a unique background of working in the field of supported employment and business. From 2003 to 2007, Jodi was the employment coordinator of the Way2Work program at Champlain Vocational Services. In 2006 Jodi Whalen and Kelley Homiller won the National APSE Best Practice Award for their work in developing an outstanding employment program after the closure of its sheltered workshop. Jodi is now the co-owner of August First Bakery, and soon-to-open Stacks Sandwich Shop. Jodi will discuss employer expectations and how to make and keep effective supported employment positions.
Peer-to-Peer Employment Supports
Carole Sheehan-Hadley & Jennie Schoerke, The Wellness Co-op
The Wellness Co-op in Burlington is opening its doors in June 2012 with the help of the Mental Health Transformation Grant from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Presenters will introduce the Wellness Co-op, it's mission/vision and how they will utilize “peer-to-peer” support for employment success.
LUNCHEON PANEL (12:15PM - 1:00PM)
College and Careers! Participant Panel
Ellen McShane - University of Vermont ACCESS Director, Think College students and Supported Employees
The luncheon panel will have students and mentors from Think College Vermont and participants in Supported Employment share their experiences. The purpose of the panel is to give conference attendees a sense of a day in the life of participants in these programs. Both groups of participants will explore the academic, social, living, and employment components of these two unique programs.
Presentation Materials:
BREAKOUT SESSIONS B (1:15PM - 2:30PM)
Tech Tools APPlied at Think College Vermont
Ellen McShane, University of Vermont ACCESS; Kiersten Hallquist, University of Vermont Think College Program; Bernard “BJ” Parrott, Think College Student; Ashleigh Allaire, UVM Mentor; Devon Miles, UVM Mentor
Are you aware how to use Twitter in your program? Do you know that Facebook offers more features than just posting a YouTube video that you hope gets more "likes" than one of your friends? On this panel, students and mentors describe how they use social networking tools like Facebook, Twitter, and Webpress as educational and organizational tools. Students and mentors also discuss how the iPad helps them to access these tools, to improve essential communication skills, and to support them in the classroom. Whether you have been wondering what these iToys are, or know all of the benefits of iOS 5, this session will prove fun and useful for all!
Please feel free to bring your iPad along; this should be a fun and interactive session!
Presentation Materials:
College STEPS Program
Aaron Rakow, The College STEPS Program and Chris Kennedy, Johnson State College
The non-profit College STEPS Program (CSP) is the latest exciting and innovative opportunity for students with intellectual disabilities across Vermont to make college a reality today! Come learn how CSP has worked to creatively develop sub-contracts with Designated Agencies throughout the State to access existing waiver funding to support on-campus programming. CSP emphasizes student-centered planning in the collaborative development of each student’s non-degree study program, which outlines student’s academic, social, and vocational goals. Our experienced staff as well as our trained peer mentors support the every need of CSP students on campus. CSP is actively assessing Vermont colleges and Designated Agencies throughout the State for future partnerships. Come learn about our current program, our future goals, and how we could partner with you to increase accessibility to programming throughout our State.
Online Training for Facilitating Workplace Supports
David Hagner, University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability and Bryan Dague, University of Vermont Center on Disability & Community Inclusion
A critical issue in supported employment for individuals with significant disabilities has been the development of strategies for facilitating social inclusion into the workplace. The degree to which an employee with a disability fits within the culture of his or her workplace is a key ingredient in employment success. Job failure for employees with disabilities is frequently associated with difficulties with social inclusion. This presentation will give an overview of an online module being developed to train community rehabilitation program staff in analyzing workplace cultures using a standardized tool, and in using a set of strategies for employment consultation based on research on facilitating natural supports in the workplace. During this interactive session, the presenters will share video vignettes and demonstrate how brainstorming solutions to common workplace issues can be used to teach natural supports strategies. Plans for evaluating employment outcomes of staff who utilize the training, and for distribution of the completed training module will be discussed.
Presentation Materials:
WRAP for Work
George V. Nostrand, Vocational Opportunity Works (VOW) and Teresa Miele, Plasan Carbon Composites/ Vermont APSE Co-President
WRAP stands for Wellness Recovery Action Plan. It is a personalized plan that anyone can use to become more proactive in dealing with issues and stressors in life. WRAP can be a great tool for people who are working. It promotes the development of a support team and allows for the team to better understand the struggles a person is going through. Presenters will share a basic overview of WRAP but will focus mostly on actual examples of plans developed with clients, while also sharing sections of their own plans.
Presentation Materials:
BREAKOUT SESSIONS C (2:30PM - 3:45PM)
UVM Faculty Presentation
Deb Baker-Moody, University of Vermont Think College Vermont Academic Coordinator; Larry Sheldon, University of Vermont
UVM faculty, students, and Think College staff will present the academic component of the Think College Program. Participants will learn how students select their courses and manage their academic work. Faculty and students will share their experiences with an inclusive post-secondary program for students with intellectual disabilities. Universal Design for Learning Faculty Consultant and Think College Academic Advisor will present methods for supporting students and faculty.
Presentation Materials:
Think College Coordinating Center
Molly Boyle, Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass-Boston
Think College staff member from the National Coordinating Center at UMASS Boston will share information on the activities and preliminary findings regarding the accomplishments and outcomes from the 27 Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with ID (TPSID) model demonstration sites. She will also explore the key issues related to the development of high quality inclusive programs and services throughout the United States. This presentation will include multiple examples and anecdotes from successful programs nationwide.
Opening the Door to Self-Employment
Michelle Paya, Champlain Community Services-Way2Work; Patrick Lewis, Purely Patrick; Carrie Cota & Sherry Jones, Lamoille Community Connections; Mary Anne Lewis, Mom and Occupational Therapist
Come meet Patrick, a new entrepreneur, with his “Made In Vermont” products. With the help of his job coach, assistive technology and augmentative communication, Patrick makes layered jars of cookies, brownies, bath salts, soup, and birdseed. He sells his jars at Lamoille County businesses, farmer’s markets and craft sales and is beginning to venture into the e-commerce avenue. Come learn how Patrick started his business and continues to promote his Made in Vermont goodness. This workshop will demonstrate how Patrick used the Achieving Self-Employment Knowledge (ASK) manual and how this can be a priceless tool for the future entrepreneur!
Can My Boss Do That? Tips For Self-Advocacy On The Job
Max Barrows, Nicole LeBlanc and Karen Topper from Green Mountain Self-Advocates
What is discrimination? What is not discrimination? How do you tell someone about your disability and ask them for what you need? What can I do if I’m treated differently or harassed because of my disability? Join folks from Green Mountain Self-Advocates for an honest discussion about speaking up on the job. Take advantage of this opportunity to use your peer power! We will role play tricky situations and work together in small groups to come up with solutions.
Closing Session and Celebration! (4:00PM - 4:30PM)
Presentation Materials:
We'll also have numerous vendor tables. Don't miss this exciting conference!
Featured Art Exhibit: "Living Connections"
"Living Connections: Voices and Visions from Shared Lives" features images from across Vermont, taken during 2010 and 2011 travels. The exhibit aims to capture the voices and experiences of individuals with and without disabilities. The individuals' stories "reflect on the transformative power of inclusion and self-advocacy."
Click here to read more about the exhibit and Mary Claire's work.THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!
Division of Disability and Aging Services
Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council
University of Vermont College of Education and Social Services
Seeking Sponsors!
Please consider donating to help with this one-of-a-kind conference on inclusion! Click the image below or this link to view the PDF version of our sponsorship form.
If you are unsure how to get to the conference, please visit UVM's website with directions and parking for the Dudley H. Davis Student Center
Last modified July 18 2012 10:54 AM