In Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR), success is built on “Critical Connections”, strong, respectful partnerships between staff, participants, and their communities. Shifting from a Western “expert” model to an Indigenous empowerment framework, TVR rejects paternalism in favor of shared responsibility. Guided by the Native philosophy that no one succeeds alone, the participant acts as an equal partner and architect of their own journey.
This session explores how TVR counselors foster trust through clear, culturally responsive communication, often in Native languages, to support informed decision-making. By integrating community resources like housing, mental health, and State VR agencies, counselors address holistic barriers beyond employment. Attendees will learn to cultivate these essential relationships, ensuring participants have the autonomy and support necessary to achieve personal growth and lasting career success.
Learning Outcomes
- To provide participants with information about AIVRS service delivery model
- Discuss the importance of establishing an effective outreach and referral process
- Review steps required to developing and effective outreach plan.
In this presentation, discover how WorkAbility—an employment services program of UCP of Southern Arizona—is transforming employment opportunities for people with disabilities across Pima, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties. This dynamic session highlights our journey in implementing Employment First practices, the integration of customized employment throughout all our services, and effective strategies for addressing systemic barriers through advocacy and self determination. You’ll also hear how our partnership with Diverse Ability Incorporated, a youth serving organization, is strengthening employment and other outcomes, to elevate youth voice, leadership, and advocacy efforts through a peer-to-peer service methodology rooted in independent living philosophy. Gain practical tools and fresh insights that will enhance employment services and empower the individuals you support.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the core components of WorkAbility’s provider transformation and how Employment First practices are being implemented to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities across multiple counties.
- Explain how customized employment is integrated across WorkAbility’s services and identify strategies that support individualized, meaningful employment outcomes.
- Identify common systemic barriers to employment and apply advocacy and self determination approaches that help address and reduce these barriers.
- Analyze the role of community partnerships, including WorkAbility’s collaboration with Diverse Ability Incorporated, in strengthening transition and employment outcomes, and enhancing community advocacy efforts.
Workplace access barriers—physical, communication, and programmatic—can erode performance, belonging, and retention. A workplace inclusion survey found 60% of respondents missed at least one event or meeting due to accessibility barriers, and a public-sector report found 80% of disabled workers surveyed had considered quitting because of difficulties obtaining accommodations. Too often, barriers persist in “employee-only” spaces when ADA efforts focus on public-facing areas. This practical, evidence-informed session covers identifying common built-environment barriers (routes, doors, restrooms, workstations, break areas, etc.) and selecting reasonable, prioritized solutions.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn how to identify the most common barriers to the built environment (as well as potential solutions) that may impact employee access and success.
- Learn how to identify the most common barriers to the learning environment (as well as potential solutions) that may impact employee access and success.
Sustaining collective impact requires strong, intentional collaboration across organizations. This session highlights the partnership between Encircle Families—the Parent Training and Information Center for Arizona—and Diverse Ability Incorporated, a peer‑to‑peer youth‑serving organization. We will outline how our disability serving organizations coordinate effectively to support families through shared initiatives, including a new Family Transition Navigation Pilot Project.
With support from interagency partners statewide, we will demonstrate how leveraging complementary strengths improves service consistency, reduces duplication, and strengthens community capacity. Participants will examine key principles of effective collaboration, strategies for building cross‑agency partnerships, and practical examples of how coordinated efforts lead to clear roles, shared goals, and stronger long‑term outcomes for families.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and apply complementary strengths across partner organizations to reduce duplication, address service gaps, and build collective capacity.
- Use alignment strategies—such as shared goals, defined roles, and accountability structures—to enhance collaboration and maximize impact.
- Translate organizational alignment into sustainable practices that strengthen long‑term outcomes and deliver lasting benefits for families.
This interactive presentation addresses a critical gap in school emergency preparedness that has emerged since 2023.
Emergency response plans must now specifically address the recommended assistance and means of communication essential for the safety of students with access and functional/exceptional needs. Let this unprecedented opportunity serve as a call to action that will prepare Occupational Therapy Practitioners to demonstrate their value and expand their impact in school-based practice! Occupational Therapy Practitioners already possess expertise in functional assessment, individualized intervention planning, environmental adaptations, and positive behavioral trauma-informed strategies, which positions them as essential partners for developing comprehensive, compliant emergency management protocols that ensure the inclusivity and safety of all. The presentation will be interactive and provide scenarios for the group to work through.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and reflect upon unique opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners in emergency management
- Expand knowledge of outside resources to support comprehensive implementation and knowledge translation
- Analyze the specific requirements of new laws around emergency operations plans in Arizona
Ethical practice within the field of assistive technology continues to evolve and tested due to continued advancement of the solutions and strategies. As practitioners we have the opportunity and obligation to use an ethical lens in our work as we provide assistive technology services. Ethical guidance can direct how we inform those that we work with on the pros, cons, and in-betweens around AT, the internet, and AI. This session will use decision making models, the CRC Code of Ethics, the RESNA standards, and Wisconsin’s Best Practice guides to discuss AT service delivery. An active dialogue and case examples will be a key component of this session.
This session is based upon established ethical guidance and service delivery models published by CRCC, RESNA, and WisTech.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be able to list three ethical best considerations regarding artificial intelligence.
- Participants will be able to list three ethical decision-making models as they apply to AT, the internet, and AI.
- Participants will apply AT and AI service provision as it relates to the CRC Code of Ethics.
This session explores how evidence-based predictors of post-school success can be used to design transition practices that center youth voice, family engagement, and pathways to competitive integrated employment. Grounded in national research and real-world implementation, the presentation highlights key predictors such as student-focused planning, work-based learning, family involvement, and interagency collaboration across education, vocational rehabilitation, and community systems. Participants will examine how strong partnerships move research into practice and how intentional alignment of services leads to improved employment and community outcomes. Designed for educators, VR professionals, administrators, and state and local partners, this session offers practical strategies for turning evidence into action and strengthening transition services that lead to meaningful life after high school.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify key evidence-based predictors of post-school success and explain how these predictors support improved employment and community outcomes for youth with disabilities.
- Apply practical strategies for centering youth voice, family engagement, and interagency collaboration within transition planning across education, vocational rehabilitation, and community systems.
The West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS), the state assistive technology program for West Virginia, works to increase access to assistive technology (AT) for individuals with disabilities across one of the most rural states in the nation. This presentation explores practical, collaborative strategies for identifying AT needs, strengthening service delivery and expanding access in rural communities through cross-region partnerships.
Participants will build foundational AT vocabulary and develop skills to recognize needs using culturally responsive, compassionate approaches. The session emphasizes unique barriers faced in rural areas, such as limited resources, geographic isolation, and service gaps, and how intentional collaboration can address these challenges. Successful partnerships among state agencies, universities, grassroots initiatives, and service providers will be highlighted, along with strategies for locating local AT resources and
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will develop foundational vocabulary, the ability to identify assistive technology needs, and culturally responsive compassion when working with rural populations.
- Participants will apply collaborative approaches among state agencies, universities, grass-root projects, and service providers to strengthen assistive technology services while maximizing resources.
- Participants will be able to locate assistive technology in their area and establish service delivery through donations and collaborations.
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.
