People who have complex communication issues and use AAC devices and/or apps to speak on a regular basis, in a variety of settings are easily overlooked and dismissed as not having valuable knowledge or insight to contribute in social, political, professional, or spiritual conversations. This is largely because other people don’t know how to embrace the awkward pauses and sounds necessary for allowing people with disabilities to fully express themselves. This means that as people with disabilities that include speech disorders, we have to work extra hard to get the attention of non disabled people, and even those who have disabilities, but typical speech patterns. I will share personal experiences and tips for how to “embrace the awkward” and make more meaningful communication connections.
Learning Outcomes
- Audience members will understand the importance of not making assumptions about people’s capabilities based on their appearance or speech.
- Participants will gain practical tips for navigating communication barriers while learning to “embrace the awkward.”
- Participants will learn the importance of recognizing a person’s gifts, skills, and talents no matter what their limitations may be.
This interactive session presents a cross-institutional Arizona faculty book study designed to move teacher educators from awareness of High Leverage Practices (HLPs) to systematic implementation. Participants will examine pre-post data, growth patterns, and practitioner tools, and engage in structured dialogue to apply the model within their own institutional contexts.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze pre–post data illustrating faculty growth in HLP implementation.
- Differentiate between awareness-level understanding and implementation-level integration.
- Identify structural elements necessary for faculty professional learning grounded in implementation science.
- Develop at least one actionable strategy for embedding HLPs within their institutional context. Engage in cross-institution dialogue to strengthen inclusive teacher preparation statewide.
This session explores how YouTube channels can help self-advocates represent themselves in their own way and can positively influence public perceptions of people with disabilities . The presentation will feature short videos from Justice Armfield Living My Life YouTube channel. Justice, a man with Down syndrome, will share how he creates his videos, why he creates his videos, and the messages he hopes to convey with his videos. Justice will also talk about other self-advocates he follows on Youtube. Co-Presenter, John Schaffer, who often helps Justice with his videos, will help facilitate the conversation at the session.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be able to explain how YouTube and other digital platforms support self‑advocates in representing themselves, sharing their experiences, and shaping public perceptions of people with disabilities.
- Participants will be able to identify key elements of Justice Armfield’s content creation process—including his motivations, methods, and messaging—and describe how these elements contribute to authentic disability representation.
- Participants will be able to name at least two strategies for supporting self‑advocates in creating digital content, drawing on examples from Justice Armfield’s channel and other disability‑focused creators he follows.
Collaboration between occupational therapy and optometry in home health services plays a vital role in helping individuals gain independence in their daily lives. By working together, occupational therapists and optometrists address both functional performance and visual needs within the client’s home environment. Optometrists assess and manage visual impairments such as acuity, contrast sensitivity, and eye health, while occupational therapists translate these findings into practical strategies for daily activities. This partnership supports interventions like adaptive techniques, environmental modifications, visual-motor integration, and the use of assistive devices. Together, they help clients safely perform self-care, mobility, and household tasks. This interdisciplinary approach ensures holistic, client-centered care that maximizes safety, participation, and overall quality of life for individuals receiving home health services.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and describe the distinct and complementary roles of occupational therapists and optometrists in providing collaborative home health services.
- Explain how common visual impairments (e.g., reduced acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual field loss) impact occupational performance and independence in the home environment.
- Apply interdisciplinary assessment findings to develop effective intervention strategies, including environmental modifications, adaptive techniques, and appropriate referrals.
- Explore and differentiate a variety of low vision devices and assistive technologies, and describe their functional applications for supporting independence in daily activities.
