Conference

New York Capital Region Special Education Taskforce

Capital Region New York State

Special Education Taskforce 2010 Conference
Practical Information for Today and Tomorrow

We are delighted to invite you to attend the 13th annual Special Education Taskforce Advocacy Conference. This year's conference, "Practical Information for Today and Tomorrow," explores practical topics that affect children with disabilities. The conference will feature the expertise of advocates, school district personnel, community clinicians, and attorneys who will discuss a variety of topics with an emphasis on improving the lives of children for today and tomorrow.

Who Should Attend?

Parents, Advocates, Administrators, Teachers, School Personnel, Service Providers, Service Coordinators, Consumers, and Adult Family Members

When?

Friday, March 19, 2010

Where?

Italian American Community Center
257 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, New York 12205

For Directions or Information
Phone: Tina Beauparlant (518) 381-4370
Email: info@nyspecialedtaskforce.com

How to Register:

We are currently only accepting registration and payment by mail. Please request a registration form by using the contact us page. Checks should be made payable to "Special Education Advocacy Training" and mailed with a completed form to

Special Education Advocacy Conference
c/o Parent to Parent
500 Balltown Road
Schenectady, New York 12304
Attn: Tina Beauparlant

Space is limited to the first 180 paid registrations received

Registration Fee:
Professionals $45.00
Parents & Family members: $20.00
(Coffee, Lunch and Snacks will be provided)

2010 Conference Topics

Session 1

(9:00 -10:15)

[ ] Supplemental Security Income

After Age 18

Kristen King, Esq.

Law Office of Kristen King

This workshop will discuss how to obtain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for individuals after the age of 18. Topics include:

What is SSI?
Does my family member qualify for SSI?
How do I get SSI benefits for my family member?

[ ] Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports 101

Pat Gogol, LMSW

Capital Region BOCES

This workshop will provide an overview of PBIS,
the behavioral RtI model of supporting all students
to achieve their best. The workshop will address
basic tenets and principles of PBIS, the three
tiered approach to supporting students with an
emphasis on the Universal, school-wide level, data
examples from schools in our region as well as national
data along with the emphasis on school, family and
community partnerships.

Session 2

(10:20 –11:35)

[ ] Assistive Technology

Marge Gustas

Neighborhood Legal Services

Karen Thayer

Glens Falls Independent Living Center

Ms. Thayer will be describing a variety of assistive devices which can be useful for special education students. Based on an appropriate assistive technology evaluation, a student’s
learning and communication can be significantly enhanced through the use of such devices.
Ms. Gustas will discuss the Medicaid system and how Medicaid might be approved for payment for devices that might not be accepted as necessary for education. With ever changing technology,
this workshop will be very helpful to parents whose children may be struggling within the special education system.

[ ] Special Education Reading Programs

Liz DeLibero, M. Ed.

Parent Network of the Capital Region

Reading Instruction for students with LD:

What does the research say?

This presentation will focus what research

tells us about effective reading instruction,

particularly as it relates to students with

specific learning disabilities and

developmental disabilities. We will discuss

the importance of assessing individual student

strengths and needs and how ‘one size does not

fit all’! There will be an overview of a variety

of reading programs and methodologies.

Guiding questions for this presentation:

What are the components of a quality reading

program?

What are the essential skill areas that must be

addressed?

When and how should student skills be assessed?

What does it mean if a reading program is

"research based"?

Session 3

(12:50 – 2:05)

[ ] 504 Plans After the Changes to the ADA

Tara Moffett, Esq.

Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C.

Jennifer Monthie, Esq.

Disability Advocates, Inc.

In January 2009, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was amended to include, among other changes, a broader definition of a person with a disability.
These changes to the ADA also impact
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which defines the scope of 504 plans in our schools. This presentation will outline the changes to the ADA and discuss how these changes may impact students seeking 504 plans.

[ ] Response to Intervention

Karen Kemp

Cohoes School District

Response To Intervention (RTI) is a multi-tiered

approach of services and interventions provided within

the school system to maximize student learning.

Interventions are provided at increasing levels of

intensity based on individual progress monitoring and

data based decisions. This session will present the

components of the RTI model, what parents can

expect from schools implementing this

approach, and how the information derived

from this process is integral to the identification

of a learning disability.

Session 4

(2:10 – 3:45)

[ ] Graduation Options

Julie Michaels Keegan, Esq.

Parent Network of the Capital Region

Graduation Considerations for Students with Disabilities: Participants will learn about the requirements and pros & cons of the Regents, Local and IEP diplomas, as well as the new "skills-based diploma" currently being considered by the Board of Regents. We will also discuss strategies for effective IEP transition planning to promote post high-school employment, education and independent living.

[ ] ABCs of Sensory Integration

Jacquelyn Donahoe, OT

Wildwood Programs

The goal of this workshop is to provide parents and
 professionals with a basic understanding of sensory
 integration and sensory integration dysfunction.  
Issues including how to evaluate sensory integration
 function and strategies for addressing sensory 
dysfunction will be highlighted.

For More Information or To Request a Conference Brochure please use our contact us page.