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2020 TASH Conference - Virtual Edition has ended
Welcome to the 2020 TASH Conference - Virtual Edition website! We’re so glad you are here!

Each year, the TASH Conference brings together individuals with significant disabilities and their allies to share resources and success stories, learn about field-driven best practices, and network within a community engaged in shared values. The conference is attended by passionate advocates, leaders, and subject matter experts from every corner of the disability community. Conference attendees play an important role in supporting individuals with significant disabilities to overcome various barriers in order to live their best lives. Central to this work is the premise that individuals reach their optimal potential only when they are given the opportunity to live, work and thrive across the lifespan in the same communities we are all members of. The conference is intentionally designed to support the interests of professors and researchers from leading institutions; those involved in local, state, and federal governments and public policy; special and general educators, and school administrators; home and community-based service providers; students, family members, and most importantly, self-advocates with lived experience.

This year, while we are taking the conference virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe that our unique approach to providing exceptional first-rate content and building strong community ties and connections across various stakeholders will yield an extraordinary event! We have taken extra steps to bring people closer together during these times, as well as to create an amazing virtual environment that expands our knowledge, spurs our creative thinking, and focuses on healthy living and having fun!  Our conference theme, Feel the Power of Inclusion, reinforces the importance of our continued commitment to promoting a world of equity and opportunity for all, and is predicated on the value of bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences in an effort to build strong human connectivity and spur collective action.

Need technical assistance during the conference? Please email our support staff at helpdesk@tash.org.
Back To Schedule
Wednesday, December 2 • 11:15am - 12:15pm
Opening Plenary Session: Creating a Culture of Inclusion: Why it’s Important

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11:15 - 11:30 am ET: Welcome and Conference Overview (Michael Brogioli, Jennifer Lengyel)

11:30 am- 12:10 pm ET: Creating a Culture of Inclusion: Why it’s Important (Dr. Carol Quirk)
Truly inclusive communities intentionally seek to help others belong and become valued members of that community. But why is it important? The fields of psychology and neuroscience are beginning to build an evidence base that shows the long-term positive emotional, physical, and health consequences of inclusion. When people are included, they are happier, experience less stress and depression, increase academic performance and motivation, and experience more pleasure in life. Research shows that a sense of belonging helps give a sense of meaning to our lives. The power of inclusion is life-long and enduring; Dr. Quirk will share ways that our schools and communities can build an inclusive culture where each and every person “belongs” as a truly valued and accepted member.

12:10 - 12:15 pm ET: Closing Remarks (Michael Brogioli)

Presenters
avatar for Carol Quirk

Carol Quirk

Director of Special Projects, MCIE
Dr. Carol Quirk is the founder, former Chief Executive Officer, and current Director of Special Projects for the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE). For the last 30 years, Carol has worked with States, districts, schools, and families to promote inclusive education... Read More →
avatar for Jenny Lengyel

Jenny Lengyel

Executive Director, Total Living Concept
avatar for Michael Brogioli

Michael Brogioli

Executive Director, TASH
Michael J. Brogioli joined TASH to serve as Executive Director in October, 2021. Michael (Mike) brings over twenty years of senior management experience in the nonprofit sector including past leadership positions as executive director of the Autism Coalition for Research and Education... Read More →


Wednesday December 2, 2020 11:15am - 12:15pm EST
Virtual Platform Online