Events
Disability Days On the Hill
Submitted by Todd Hash on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 3:57pm.
Establishing a relationship with your legislator today can go a long ways to bending his or her ear tomorrow. Disability Days is your opportunity to meet with state legislators at the Capitol and talk about issues important to you and your family.
Dozens of disability organizations from across the state will be participating and with your help we can ensure that every legislator gets to hear from a constituent with a disability, a family member, or friend.
2010 DATES
February 24 - West TN
March 3 - Middle TN
March 10 - East TN
For information on how your organization can get involved contact Courtney Jenkins-Atnip at courtney_j@tndisability.org, or by phone at 615-383-9442.
Bonus - Child Advocacy Days: March 9th & 10th
Gubenatorial Forum on the 10th
10am to 11:30am
All 7 major candidates have accepted invitation
Free, but pre-registration is required
Seminar: Advancing Disability Public Policies
Submitted by Todd Hash on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 4:04pm.
Three panelists who are experienced in working with public policy makers will share their strategies in how to advocate effectively to improve the disability service system. Training will conclude with a question/answer session.
Whatever our perspective - trainees and students, researchers, health care professionals, service providers, educators, individuals with disabilities or family members, or simply concerned citizens - we see ways that the disability service system can be improved. We see ways to apply knowledge gained through research or innovative practices. One dimension of changing service systems is educating legislators and other public policy makers.
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Time: 12-1 p.m.
Place: Vanderbilt - Room 241 Kennedy Center/MRL Bldg
Panelists and Topics
Elise McMillan, Co-Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities--Moderator
Doria Panvini, Chair, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Community Advisory Council
How a bill becomes a law and some do’s and don’ts of legislative advocacy
William Edington, Public Policy Director, Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities
Disability issues for the upcoming session of the Tennessee Legislature
Carol Westlake, Executive Director, Tennessee Disability Coalition
Federal disability issues, including healthcare policy/reform as it affects individuals with disabilities and their families
Drinks and snacks will be provided.
To register: http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/site/newsandevents/calendar/page.aspx?id=1832
For more information: laurie.fleming@vanderbilt.edu
Chattanooga Autism Conference
Submitted by Todd Hash on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 2:52pm.
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Welcome to the first in what will become an annual conference presented by the Chattanooga Autism Center and co-sponsored with Cross Country Education. The purpose of this conference is to bring together the parents,
professionals, educators, and advocates of people with autism spectrum disorders across the lifespan from near and far to learn, share, and
support one another. We hope you will join us not only for this unique
learning opportunity, but also consider joining the Chattanooga Autism Center in our efforts
Autism: Connecting the Pieces through the Lifespan
Date - Friday, February 5th, 2010, 8:00am to 4:25pm.
Location - The Sheraton Read House ChattanoogaWorkshops
- Writing Social Stories and Using Visual Supports forPersons on the Autism Spectrum – You can do it!
- Teaching Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to be Independent with Everyday Activities
- Sometimes Medication: A Guide to and Concerns about the Use of Psychiatric Medication for Individuals withPervasive Developmental Disorders
- Advocacy Through the Lifespan
- Educational Access
- Nutrition and Autism
- DIR/Floortime
- Using the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills-Revised (ABLLS-R, 2006) to Guide Programming
Bonus Opportunities for Attendees
- Up to 7 CEU Credits for professionals!
- Lunch, coffee, and snack included.
- Many valuable door prizes!
- Provide your input and ideas about what programs this region needs.
- Make connections with other parents and professionals.
- Fee waivers for to parents facing financial hardships.
- Space limited to 250 participants.
For more information email info@teamcenters.org or call (423) 622-0500.
Download a Registration Form and Detailed Schedule in PDF
Download an Event Flyer in PDF
About the Autism Center
The Chattanooga Autism Center was formed by The TEAM Centers Inc. in part to meet the increasing demands for additional autism-related services in the Chattanooga and surrounding area.The Center's mission is to be a parent-driven family support for Chattanoogans and people from every surrounding county who have family members with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Volunteer Advocacy Project
Submitted by Todd Hash on Wed, 12/02/2009 - 1:53pm.
The Volunteer Advocacy Project is a training program for individuals who are willing to become advocates for families as they navigate their way through the world of special education. The project will be taking applications for volunteer advocates through Friday, December 19th, 2009.
Participants will learn about special education law and advocacy strategies. At the end of the training, each participant will shadow an advocate at a special education meeting. Following graduation from the program, you will be linked with a family of a child with a disability. Each volunteer advocate is expected to work with, at least, four families, at the discretion of The Arc and STEP.
Requirements:
- Willing to attend all weekly sessions
- Willing to shadow an advocate at a special education meeting
- Willing to advocate for four families of children with disabilities
Training will cover:
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- State law
- No Child Left Behind
- The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
To download a fact sheet and application.
Free IEP Workshop - Chattanooga
Submitted by Todd Hash on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 2:56pm.
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Heidi Zaner, parent advocate, will speak on the topic of Individual Education Plans (IEP'S) and preparing for your child's IEP meeting.
Workshop goals include:
- your rights under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA),
- what should happen at an IEP meeting
- reviewing goals and supports common to many IEPs for a students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
- the importance of team building
When: Monday, December 14, 2009, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Who: This free event is open to the public. Parents, educators, caregivers, day care staff, direct support professionals, and anyone who wants to learn more about preparing for individual education plan (IEP) meetings.
RSVP is required
Call (423) 622-0500 or e-mail info@teamcenters.org
Hosted by: Chattanooga Autism Center and Team Centers, Inc.
