1. business and industrial
2. business operations
3. business plans

SPRING CONFERENCE 2015
APRIL 23-24 PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
THURSDAY APRIL 23, 2015
Note that participants will sign up for one of two preconference sessions. The two options are
Disability 101 and CORE. Attendees of both preconference sessions will participate in the AT
session along with their specific breakout topics. Check-In will be from 12:30 to 1:00.
1:00-2:45
Preconference Breakout 1- Disability 101
This preconference will provide an opportunity for new professionals to discuss our profession. Bring
your questions. Ample time will be allotted for participant generated areas of concern. Facilitated by
Gabriel Merrell and Hilary Gerdes
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Understand the legal framework that we work within
Explore historical lessens and identities related to disability
Discuss philosophical constructs and how they impact practice
Learn to navigate campus relationships to ensure access is a shared responsibility
1:00-2:45
Preconference Breakout 2 - CORE
This preconference session will bring Vocational Rehabilitation professionals together with Higher
Education professionals to examine issues related to supporting our mutual clients/students with access
to technology. We will use a case study approach to discuss our intersecting areas of responsibility.
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Understand the purpose and nature of our Memorandums of Understanding
Explore the roles that we each play in supporting our mutual students/clients
Discuss case studies to deepen understanding of AT to support education/employment
3:00-5:00
Preconference Group Session – Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology for School and Employment
This session will provide an overview of ATI and share a variety of adaptive equipment and
software, including mobile apps, that provide assistance to individuals in both academic and
employment settings. Technology that supports students and clients in addressing executive
functioning disorders will be highlighted. The session will include the opportunity to try out some
of the equipment. Presented by Laurie Brooks and Elisha Kirsch of Access Technologies Inc.
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Become familiar with the services offered by ATI and how they are accessed
Learn about adaptive equipment and software designed to assist students/employees with
disabilities
Identify assistive technology that supports effective executive functioning in an academic
and/or employment setting
FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015
8:00 – 9:00
Check In with Coffee and Breakfast Snacks
9:00 – 9:15
Conference Opening
9:15 – 10:45
ADHD Strengths and Strategies
This presentation, facilitated by Courtney Jellar of the University of Oregon will:
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Briefly review a strength-based model of ADHD within the context of academia.
Describe ADHD strengths
Review the common impact of shame and institutional trauma on students with ADHD
Describe ADHD-friendly/strength-based learning strategies for undergraduate and graduate
students with ADHD
Role play simple ways for disability services professionals to empower students by applying
the strength-based model of ADHD
10:45 – 11:00
Break
11:00 – 12:00
Supporting Students on the Spectrum
This session is presented by Dr. Karen McKibbin of Portland Autism Center. Dr. McKibbin will
present an overview of characteristics and needs of college students on the spectrum and
examples of specific students and individualized support approaches. She will share tips on
collaboration with faculty and other team members, and ways to address Student Code of
Conduct concerns. There will be time allotted for questions and best practice guidance.
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Identify characteristics of students with ASD in the college environment
Explore individualized support strategies for students on the spectrum
Learn to develop collaborative supports for students with ASD
12:00 – 1:00
Lunch and Networking
1:00 – 2:00
Updates on AHEAD Initiatives and Regional Opportunities
This session will be led by Kaela Parks who is currently serving as Co-Chair of the AHEAD
Standing Committee on Technology, and Gabriel Merrell who is serving as the ORAHEAD
Affiliate Liaison and will provide updates on initiatives and opportunities.
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Review preliminary results from AHEAD Tech committee survey
Plan for ADA25 request for state history for AHEAD national conference
Update on Disability History Exhibit accessible multimedia version
Discussion around ORAHEAD purchase of history exhibit for ongoing use in Oregon
2:00 – 3:15
Disability and Diversity at WOU
This session, presented by Malissa Larson of Western Oregon University, will address efforts to
incorporate disability as part of diversity and engage the community in meaningful awareness
building opportunities.
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Identify strategies for encouraging dialogue and engagement to promote accessibility
Understand how one institution has approached the disability/diversity conversation
Reflect on practices that could make sense for participants own institutions
3:30 – 4:45
Listserv in Realtime
This session facilitated by Annie Jenkins and Andy Childress, provides a chance for participants
to pose a question or make a comment and see who in the room has a response to offer.
Responses are limited to three replies, before the topic changes with a new thread.
4:45 - 5:00
Conference Closing