2021 Conference Agenda

Conference Strands

THINK COLLEGE

Think College is a national organization dedicated to developing and enhancing inclusive college options for students with intellectual disabilities (ID). The Ohio’s Statewide Consortium (OSC) is a network of universities and colleges across Ohio that provides Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) services to students with ID. During the 2020 Multiple Perspectives Conference, OSC is offering keynotes and concurrent sessions for students, parents and staff of current & future Think College Programs. 

The target audience includes high school and college administrators, teachers, transition specialists, parents and students who want to learn how to enhance college programs for students with ID that result in improved employment and adult life outcomes or want to explore what college program to attend. Find out more about the benefits of attending college by registering for the 2021 Multiple Perspectives conference.

Society for Disability Studies (SDS)

DEEP SIGH:(Re)Centering Activism, Healing, Radical Love, Emotional Connection and Breathing Spaces in Intersectional Communities

During these turbulent times of racial injustice and disappointing leadership(s), amplified by the current pandemic and climate crisis, the world is (has been, and continues to be) hurting, while some have been thriving at the expense of ‘others’. Right now, we need to take a step back and listen and learn from those who are members of some of the most vulnerable communities, in particular historically multiply marginalized communities. It is imperative to center the voices and lived experiences of ostracized groups by hearing/reading/watching them roar. RIGHT NOW, this is not about another academic piece, another line on the resume, another polarizing conversation (you are right and I’m wrong), but rather about the recognition of life and death, access, dignity, justice, and humanity, with passion and humor. Collectively, let’s cease allowing this atmosphere to silo us, creating a deep cold spell of isolation. These issues impact us all. There is nothing wrong with us! That’s just what we are led to think and feel. Let’s take a long deep inhale and then exhale out the cold spell lodged within by coming together and sharing what spoons we can spare—living and breathing compassion. Let’s consider not only our struggles, but also the possibilities already blossoming in the present, and cocoon each other with love, compassion, and fresh air.

Monday, April 19th Sessions

10:00am–11:30am - Concurrent Sessions

The hypermarginalization of transgender people living with neurodisabilities.

Presenters: Dr. Leo Taylor and Mx. Lena Tenney

This lecture, co-presented by two neurodisabled and transgender educators, is for anyone who wants to learn more about the intersectionality of transness and neurodisabilities such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Attendees do not need to be familiar with transgender issues or mental illness.

THINKCOLLEGE- Why do we need College Programs for Students with ID? Florida’s Legislation to Increase Employment Outcomes through College

Presenters: Senator Andy Gardiner and Camille Gardiner

Senator Gardiner is a former member of the Florida State Senate, serving as its president from 2014-2016. During his tenure in the senate Mr. Gardiner was instrumental in passing legislation aimed at providing a path to economic independence for people with unique abilities. The FL legislation provides funding for Florida’s postsecondary institutions to develop college programs for students with ID. The Gardiner Scholarship Program was created to provide   and expand opportunities for customized educational program for students with ID. In 2010, Camille co-founded the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida and continues to be very involved in the organization and serves on their Board. Senator Gardiner and Camille are most proud of parenting their three children, including their son Andrew who has Down syndrome and is the driving force behind their passion.

SDS - Freedom and Duties of Care

Organized Presentations Panel:

Eva Kittay, Care, Paternalism, and Freedom 
Nancy Hirschmann, Positive Liberty And Disability: Subjectivity, Desire, and Care 
Kevin Mintz, Do People with Disabilities Deserve a Seat at the Sexual Table?: Ableism, Sexual Pluralism, and the Dilemma of Access to Sexual Expression 
Coleman Solis, The Normativity of Caring-About In Home Care Work 

SDS- Systemic Intertwined Oppression and Movement

Sangwon Yoon, Laws, Legislation, and Policy in Korea that Influence Special Education: Development of the Korean Disability Rights Movement through Enactment of Laws 
Kate Rigot, Marginalization of Disabled People and of Houseless People: Exploring Analytical Nexus Points, Points of Solidarity, and Opportunities for Collaborative Resistance 
Emily Ruppel, The State Production of Precarity in Disability Employment Programs: Towards a Materialist Theory of Disability 
Samuel Shelton, Bringing the Pandemic Home: The Shifting Realities of Intimate Violence for Disabled People in the Time of COVID-19 

11:45am–1:15pm - Concurrent Sessions

Disability Commonalities/Differences – Teaching & Learning with Support/Safety

Presenter: Mark E Seifarth

Three Main Goals – 1) How do we create a lasting forum within the disability community to celebrate our common experience & not lose the unique experiences in each particular disability?

• Where is it housed?
• Who helps oversee it?
• How are discussions/panels convened and information save & distributed?

2) WHAT IS THE ONE Parameter, Aspect, Need, to achieve an ongoing forum and a safe space to both teach and learn about our different disabilities across generations?
3) How to teach each other safely and supportively when one feels a thought or perception about another’s disability experience may not be agreed upon?

THINKCOLLEGE- Student and family perspective of attending inclusive postsecondary programs

Presenters: Jack Lafrance; Sandy and John Lafrance; Nicole Roche
Moderated by Jessie Green

Students should be at the center of planning and focus for inclusive postsecodnary education programs. Students on this panel to highlight their experiences attending Ohio's inclusive postsecondary education programs including what they have learned, where they have been successful and what is in store for   their future. Family members also on the panel will share how they supported and advocated for their students as well as how their student grew throughout the program experience.

SDS - What is Higher Education? Tripping, Thriving, or Surviving

Individual Presentations Panel:

Mina Chun, Shalynn Bilenski,  and Jacqueline Needle, Transition and Adaptation During COVID-19: Listen to the Voices of College Students with Dis/abilities 
Marni Fisher, Mina Chun, Kimiya Sohrab Maghzi, Tammy Bachrach, Meredith A. Dorner, Kevin Stockbridge, and Janae Dimick, Transitions to Pandemic Education: What Happened to Equity and Access? 
Millie Hizer, Rhetorics of Disclosure in the Era of COVID-19: Spaces of Higher Education and Hopeful Possibilities 
Susan Ghiaciuc, Rewriting Disability Accommodation Forms: I Have Multiple Sclerosis, But I’m Not an Actuary 

SDS- Crafting Chronicles: Meandering through Mad Timings

Hailee Yoshizaki-Gibbons, Resisting Dominant Temporalities Through Dementia Time 
Sean Yeager, "Maniacs in the Fourth Dimension": A Not Altogether- Unserious Theory of Time, Language, and Autism 
Katta Spiel, "My Relationship With Time Is Very Different": On Timely Knowledge in Academia 
Rua Williams, Inertia Time, Loopsided Non-Linearity, Collective Care in the Creases 

2:15pm–3:45pm - Concurrent Sessions

Building an Inclusive Campus Model Upon a Universal Design Framework

Presented by Sheryl Burgstahler

With UDL as centerpiece, take steps to create a framework to underpin an Inclusive Campus Model to guide campus-wide efforts in designing teaching and learning opportunities, as well as services, physical spaces, and technology that support them. Consider how this approach can integrate with your diversity, equity and inclusion plans.

THINKCOLLEGE - Legislative Thoughts on Inclusive Postsecondary Education in Ohio

Moderated by Christine Brown
Panelists: Mary Lightbody, Erica Crawley and Senator Andrew Brenner

In this follow-up to the Senator and Mrs. Gardiner session, Ohio's legislative members will share how they believe Ohio can move towards supporting inclusive postsecondary education programs. While financial support is crucial for student and program success, there are other ways students and programs can be supported in Ohio.

SDS - The View from DSQ: Disability Studies Quarterly

Organized Discussion Panel: Brenda Brueggemann, Elizabeth Brewer, Kelsey Henry, Sean Moodle, Johanna Meetz, Ashley J. Roy, Greta Schmitz, Jessica Gallagher 

This will be an interactive conversation with DSQ's editorial team where we will offer a window into the inner workings of the journal. This session will involve eight presenters (2 Co-Editors, 1 Assistant Editor, 3 Editorial Interns, 2 OSU Librarians).

SDS- Mobilization of Community Care

Hilda Smith, Feeling Strategies in Knowledge Mobilization within Disability Organizing 
Jessica MF Hughes, Building a Network of Care in a Virtual Undergraduate Classroom [Prerecorded] 
Tolonda Henderson, Packaging Self Advocacy: Genre in Disability Resource Guides 
Susan Fitzmaurice, I Love You, Lead On Community 

4:00pm-5:45pm Ken Campbell Lecture on Disability Advocacy, Policy and Law

Presenter: Zebadiah Hall

Details forthcoming.

This keynote presentation is free and open to the public. Please register here to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Tuesday, April 20th Sessions

10:00am–11:30am - Concurrent Sessions

Protecting Your Workplace Rights

Presented by Rebecca L. Fyffe

The presentation focuses on workers and their rights. The presentation provides an overview of OFCCP and the laws it enforces. The presentation also discusses how to recognize discrimination. Finally, the presentation discusses how to file a complaint with OFCCP.

THINKCOLLEGE- Increasing Employment Services and Outcomes for Students with ID through Collaboration with VR

Panelist: Russ Thelin
Moderated by: Kristen Garrett

Russ provides consultation to college program for students with ID related to partnering effectively with vocational rehabilitation Agencies. Russ has over 25 years direct service/administrative experience in leading and delivering rehabilitation services. Russ also served as president of the National Association for Rehabilitation Leadership (NARL).

SDS - Disrupting Normative Methodology

Individual Presentations Panel:

Rae Leeper, Telling Stories in Words, Pictures, Movements, and Silence: Disability Studies and Multimodal Narrative Inquiry Research 
Carla Rice, Chelsea Jones, Ingrid Mündel, and Patty Douglas, Stretching Our Stories (SOS): Disability Digital Worldmaking in Troubled Times 
Sami Hopkins and Stuart Warren, Un/Sound Transmissions: Challenging Compulsory Able-Bodiedness and Sound-Mindedness Through Harsh Noise-Based Research [Prerecorded] 
Manako Yabe, Narrative Reflection: A Deaf Researcher's Doctoral Dissertation Journey 

SDS- Cripping Dysfunctional Notions of Health Care

Individual Presentations Panel:

Noa Tal-Alon and Nitsan Almog, Persons with Disabilities in Hospital Wards: Wrong Place or Wrong Person 
Dimitra Varvarezou, Narratives From the Field: (Re)Examining Empowerment in Discourses By Diné (Navajo) Individuals With Physical Disabilities, Family Members, and Diné/Non-Indigenous Healthcare Workers and Service Providers 
Aishwarya Khanna, Lauren Smith, Susan Parish, and Monika Mitra, Pregnancy Experiences of Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 
Cara Fallon, Aging, Chronic Disease, and Disability: Discussing Overlaps 

11:45am–1:15pm - Concurrent Sessions

Listening to Movement: Audio Description and Dance

Presented by Joel Snyder and Esther Geiger

Rudolph Laban: “What happens in the theatre ... is within the magnetic current between [stage and audience].” But what if the exchange is interrupted by an audience member’s lack of access to that full perception. How, for example, can a blind person “see” a dance performance?

This presentation will discuss how audio description, enhanced by Laban/Bartenieff Movement System (LBMS) fundamentals, provides access to the arts for people who are blind or have low vision. Describers observe, select, and then succinctly and vividly use language to convey the visual image that is not fully accessible to a segment of the population—new estimates by the American Foundation for the Blind now put that number at over 32 million Americans alone who are blind or have difficulty seeing even with correction.

THINKCOLLEGE- Access for ALL: How Postsecondary Education is Creating STEM Career Pathways for Individuals with ID

Presenters: Diane Weinbrandt and Jessie Green

The goal of this presentation is to inform participants of a proposed NSF INCLUDES Alliance that will broaden pathways to the STEM workforce for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The University of Cincnnati has partnered with The Ohio State University, Vanderbilt University and Think College to begin developing a comprehensive inclusive workforce model in which postsecondary programs develop STEM pathways for individuals with IDD, which includes supporting employers in recruiting and retaining employees with IDD. The project team is currently investigating  national models and best practices for employing individuals with IDD in STEM career pathways.  This presentation will share the shared vision of the network of partners who will develop a leadership and communication plan to guide ongoing collaboration to iteratively implement, refine, and broadly disseminate the model. 

SDS - Unraveling the Rainbow Complexity

Individual Presentations Panel:

Angela Ingram, Understanding the Lived Experiences of Transgender Youth with Disabilities 
Carla Martinez Plascencia, Resiliency & Inclusion: Deaf Latinx College Students [Prerecorded] 
Esperanza Padilla, Masking and Unmasking The Spectrum: The Consequences of Camouflaging Neurodiversity 
Hayley Stefan, Developing Intersectional Disability Pedagogies 

SDS - Moving Away From Co-opted Capitalistic Models of Access Embodiment

Individual Presentations Panel:

Katie Aubrecht, Erin Austen, Cynthia Bruce, Jane Dryden, and Mary Ellen Donnan, Collaborating for Access in Higher Education [Prerecorded] 
Ishira Parikh, Biology for Everyone: Developing Inclusive, Hands-On K-12 Curriculum 
Maria Rovito, On Being a Borderline Instructor: Thoughts on a Mad Border Pedagogy 
Katie Ducett, Megan E. Cartier, and Nikkia Borowski, Navigating Special Education Services During COVID-19: What Works and Needs Work? [Prerecorded] 

2:15pm–3:45pm - Concurrent Sessions

Disability and Higher Education: The Year in Review.

Presented by Karla Ussery

THINKCOLLEGE - Sustaining Postsecondary Programs: Perspectives from Program Directors

Panelists: Jessie Green, Jan Goings, Mandy Merdandakis,   MaryElla Bauer
Moderated by Andrew Buck

The number of inclusive postsecondary programs in Ohio has increased over the last decade and along with it, so has the cost of higher education. Ohio's programs must braid funding to sustain high-quality programs while also helping to support students to find ways to pay for their time in inclusive postsecondary programs. Four inclusive postsecondary program directors will   discuss the steps they are taking to sustain well into the future.

SDS - Disability Justice, Anti-Racism, Trauma, and "Radical Welcome"

Workshop: Carol Moeller and Hasshan Batts

This interactive workshop portrays collaboration across community – higher education borders. We share reflections from those multiply minoritized by disability, incarceration, re-entry barriers, and health challenges, thinking together toward understanding and solutions. We center minoritized voices of people “closest to the pain,” those often deemed “disposable.” We offer “radical welcome” for authentic, inclusive presence.

SDS - (Auto)(ethno)graphing Disability: Identity, Diagnosis, Passing and Labeling

Organized Presentations Panel:

Dennin Ellis, Who Am I? (Reprise): Navigating Autism Diagnoses as an Adult 
Melissa Guadrón, Just Passing Through: Exploring Impairment, Race, and Disclosure 
Jamie Utphall, Doing Cancer: Personal Identity and Illness in Flux 
Hillary Degner, Facilitator 

4:00pm-5:45pm - Ethel Louise Armstrong Lecture

Presenter: Nina G

Nina G is a comedian, professional speaker and author of Stutterer Interrupted. She has been featured in/on everything from NPR's 51%, BBC's Ouch, Psychology Today, Tedx, multiple day time talk shows, Howard (Stern) 100 News and even the Stuttering John Podcast. Nina shares her wit and wisdom with corporations, colleges, libraries, conferences, and community events. Her no nonsense approach to disability awareness and acceptance helps to bring institutions, communities and individuals to deepen their understanding of the disability and bring practical approaches to making a more inclusive society. 

This keynote presentation is free and open to the public. Please register here to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.