Morning Sessions (registrants will select ONE workshop to attend)
Scaling up the Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs across the State
Presented by Lyndsey Nunes, Ph.D., MPH, Director, Westfield State University Inclusive Postsecondary Education (WIPSE); Mary Price, MAICEI State Director
The presenters will give an update as to what is happening in Massachusetts around the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative, including the new proposed name called MAIPSE - Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education. Since the new legislation has passed in Massachusetts that requires all public colleges and universities to have resources in place in order to support students over the age of 18 with moderate to severe disabilities, autism and developmental disabilities, the MAICEI programs have had to plan to support not only students between the ages of 18 and 21 years of age, but not students over the age of 21. The presenters will give a detailed description as to what has been happening as a result of the new legislation.
Strategies for Developing an Inclusive IEP through Goal Writing, Accommodations and the Disability Statement
Presented by Chuck Zucco, MSW, Special Education Case Manager and LEA, Tewksbury Memorial High School
How does a student's disability relate to their goals, accommodations, or modifications? What should come first in the team's thought process and how does it all tie together? This presentation will review the IEP process and the various components to building an inclusive IEP. The presentation will also highlight the similarities and differences between the old and new Massachusetts IEP form.
Teaching Self-Regulation Skills to Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Presented by Patricia McDaid, Ed.D, Inclusive Education Consultant
One of the biggest perceived barriers to inclusive education for many students is the presence of challenging behavior. Although many teachers and therapists work diligently to decrease challenging behavior, they often don't do this is a way that builds independence and self-advocacy skills. In this session Dr. McDaid will share information on the importance of teaching self-regulation skills and provide strategies to get you started with this important work.
The Meaningful Evaluation of Individuals with Unique and Complex Learning Profiles
Presented by Richard R. Reid, PhD, Licensed School Psychologist
This presentation will focus on the fact that all individuals are entitled to a meaningful and comprehensive evaluation, the results of which should guide their learning experiences. The presenter recognizes the limited resources available to educators and evaluators when working with low incidence populations so a creative, yet effective approach will be emphasized. Participants will be exposed to a variety of helpful and often overlooked assessment practices as well as methods to adapt and modify traditional assessment practices to accommodate individuals with unique and complex learning profiles.
Yes, They Can! Leveraging Best Practices for Literacy Instruction in Schools
Presented by Crista Yagjian, M.Ed., Lecturer at Vermont Higher Ed Collaborative and University of Vermont
As we dive into recent literacy research, we learn more about the implications for the specific learning profile of students with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this presentation, Crista Yagjian will overview this research and how it impacts literacy instruction (i.e. phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, etc.) for our students. She will provide practical strategies and resources for helping these learners achieve their full potential and DREAM BIG as they access literacy across various content areas in school. Additionally, Crista will share insights from her personal experience as both an educator and mom to her 16 year old son, Nate.
Afternoon Sessions (registrants will select ONE workshop to attend)
Building Bridges: Providing Access to General Education Curriculum for Learners with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Presented by Patricia McDaid, Ed.D, Inclusive Education Consultant
Providing students with intellectual and developmental disabilities with access, instruction, and assessment on grade-level general education curriculum content is challenging for many educators. In this session Dr. McDaid will discuss the importance of providing general education curriculum access for all students and share and model use of a planning tool to provide this access, plan for instruction, and determine targets for assessment. She will provide examples of modified elementary and middle school assignments.
Friends matter: Meaningful Collaboration for Inclusion and Belonging
Presented by Zach Rossetti, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Teaching & Learning Department, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, Boston University
Friendships are personally valuable and developmentally important relationships for all people, yet friendships between individuals with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) remain infrequent. Extant research indicates that (a) opportunity barriers may play a more prominent role in friendship than social skills, and (b) direct support from adults is a critical facilitator of friendships. This breakout session will emphasize effective strategies to enhance collaboration to address opportunity barriers and promote social connections, meaningful inclusion, and authentic belonging for all students.
Language and Literacy-Access and Opportunities
Presented by Caitlin Shanley, MS CCC-SLP, Speech Language Pathologist Boston Public Schools
During this presentation, we will discuss strategies to provide communication opportunities for children in the early stages of language development and beyond as well as the many ways to increase a student’s access to literacy at all ages. This discussion will include, but is not limited to, discussing early language development tips, communication logs, play, tapping into your student's interests and motivation, low and high tech AAC use in Play and Literacy, shared reading resources, and how using AI/ChatGpt can support your student/child. Caitlin will use examples from her classroom and also provide take home resources for educators to apply in the classroom.
Unlocking Potential Through Assistive Technology
Presented by Iris Long Assistive Technology Regional Center Director; Shelby Cortis, MS OTR
Assistive technologies can be an important tool to optimize student success and further enhance personal achievements and independence within educational environments and beyond. In this workshop, we will discover how to effectively use these technologies and strategies to support student learning and explore how UCP of Western Massachusetts enables connections between individuals and assistive technology.