The rapid roundtable format provides participants with the opportunity to gain insights into a variety of disability-related topics in a small group, more informal setting than our usual breakout session format. During this session there will be a number of different roundtables, each discussing a specific topic. Participants will rotate tables every 20 minutes (speed-dating style) and will each have the opportunity to participate in three different roundtable discussions during the breakout session.
Roundtable Topics
- Shopping, dining, doctor’s appointments, and more… Know your ADA rights when visiting places of public accommodations (Sobie / Dietrich)
- The Supporting College Access, Learning, and Employment (SCALE) Approach: Building College Readiness for Students (Carver / Baglione)
- The Power of Inclusion – We Shine Brighter Together (Nahle / Barrett)
- AzLAT- Independence Is Priceless; We Make It Affordable (Meyer / Knox)
- Scanning: New Ideas You Can Use Tomorrow! (Jackson)
- AZ ABLE Accounts: How to Protect Benefits and Save Money (Chipley)
“Hi, my name is Heather and I’m an assistive technology abandoner.” “Hi, Heather.” We will have a sit-down conversation/interview about what technology Heather has used, when she used it, and why she abandoned it. Many of our clients trust our knowledge when picking out technology, but we can still get it wrong. Heather is an author and internationally awarded photographer, was an ATP, holds an MS CS and MS RST, and was diagnosed with LGMD over 20 years ago. She is highly educated in the area of AT, she made knowledgeable choices for what she thought she needed, but tossed them away when they didn’t make the cut. This interview will enlighten the audience as to why so much tech is abandoned.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be able to identify 4 pieces of AT used during the progression of a neuromuscular disorder.
- Participants will be able to identify 3 reasons why AT might be abandoned.
- Participants will be able to describe obstacles that may arise through the advancement of a condition and the psychological implications thereof.
This presentation examines how short documentaries can illuminate the lived experiences of people with disabilities while encouraging audiences to rethink their perceptions and roles in fostering inclusion. Presenter John Schaffer has spent more than 20 years creating award winning documentaries in collaboration with people with disabilities, centering authentic storytelling and representation.
The session features three short films, Matthew Part 2, Living In Visible Pain: Vince, and Picturing Inclusivity, each highlighting a different individual and disability experience. After each screening, participants will engage in a guided discussion exploring themes such as ableism, differences between non-apparent and apparent disabilities, caregiving, communication and community inclusion. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how documentary storytelling can challenge assumptions and inspire meaningful support for people with disabilities.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be able to analyze how short documentary films convey the lived experiences of people with disabilities and challenge common assumptions about disability.
- Participants will be able to identify themes such as ableism, caregiving, communication, and community inclusion as presented in the featured documentaries.
- Participants will be able to evaluate practical ways to foster more inclusive perspectives and behaviors within their own communities, informed by insights from the films and discussions.
- One film shows a person in immense pain and may be uncomfortable for some viewers.
In this keynote, Pamela blends comedy and storytelling to share what it was like growing up with severe Tourette Syndrome, OCD, and a lot of big feelings. With honesty, humor, and powerful stories, she invites educators and professionals into the moments that shaped her and the lessons she learned along the way. Through laughter and real-life experiences, Pamela explores what true inclusion looks like in schools and communities, how supportive environments can transform challenges into connection, and why the qualities that make us different are often their greatest strengths. Audiences leave both entertained and inspired, with practical insights and actionable strategies to help create spaces where every person feels seen and valued.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify what true inclusion actually looks, feels, and sounds like — moving beyond buzzwords to recognize the real moments that make someone feel seen, valued, and like they belong in a classroom or community.
- Understand how supportive environments transform challenges into connection — and walk away with practical, actionable strategies you can use right now to create those spaces for the people in your world.
- Reframe “different” as a strength — recognizing that the qualities that make someone stand out are often their greatest gifts, and learning how to help others see that in themselves too.
