Coming Up in the September/October 2006 issue of TASH Connections:
From the Executive Director
Dear TASH Members,
It’s that familiar time of year when students return to their classes, parents, professionals, and advocates roll up their sleeves – and everyone looks forward to the TASH conference to share the field’s rich harvest of labor, learning, and visions for the future!
For decades the TASH conference has been there to sustain us with its warmth and wisdom as the chilly fall winds blow. Lately, as a different kind of chill falls upon public policy and our civil rights movement, those among us with the most significant disabilities are at increasing risk of being left out in the cold. This year’s TASH Conference, scheduled November 8 -11 in Baltimore’s family-friendly Inner Harbor area, is a vital opportunity for all our members and friends to come “home” and support each other, re-energizing for the critical work ahead of us.
As we prepare to join together in Baltimore, I am writing to encourage you to make use of an array of opportunities to learn from your colleagues and help guide the future of TASH. Here are some great opportunities–
Become inspired by keynoters Ann Turnbull of the Beach Center, Ursula and DJ Markey, working for social justice in New Orleans, writer and activist Jonathan Mooney, and 14-year-old student and composer Zach Bryant, who enjoys an inclusive education in his Maryland school.
Greet old friends and welcome first-timers at the opening reception Wednesday, November 8 (sponsored by S.L. Start) from 5:00 – 7:00 PM (also a great time to view the exhibits!) For new members and first time conference attendees, hear about TASH’s rich legacy from co-founder Lou Brown immediately after the reception, and be WOWED, moved, (and entertained!)
Join me and TASH board members and staff at the TASH booth in the exhibit hall. We urge you to share your thoughts about the draft strategic plan and sign up to work on operating committees. Learn how you can make a difference through TASH’s “Campaign to Sustain the Vision”!
For Chapter Leaders (or their representatives!) learn more about effective activism on Chapter Leadership Day, and provide input to chapter development and member services initiatives.
Celebrate winners of the Alice Hayden Award, TASH Media Awards, Legacy Award, and meet other notable leaders, movers and shakers.
Participate in the Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, November 10, and meet the five newly-elected board members. Hear about the state of the organization and plans to further our mission. Immediately following the Membership Meeting, all members are invited to join a conversation with TASH members and board representatives about the changes over the past year.
Join two thought-provoking and informative TASH Town Hall Meetings: Into the Light: Breaking the Cycle of Institutionalization, Aversives, and Restraint is planned for Thursday, November 9 at 5:45 p.m., and Creating a Voice: Equity and Access for People of Color with Disabilities will take place on Friday, November 10 at 5:30 p.m. Both events will bring us together in productive dialogue as we grapple with challenging issues.
Hear how research intersects with advocacy from an exciting panel of speakers Friday afternoon.
Reconvene on Saturday, November 11, for the TASH Member Forum, and share thoughts about “what’s out there” – challenges, trends, opportunities and concerns that impact our mission.
And, as has become a tradition within the TASH network, the gracious and enthusiastic hospitality of our host, Mid-Atlantic TASH, assures many thoughtful touches for our out-of-towners, and a GREAT dance with a DJ on Thursday night!
A feast is being laid by and for the TASH community. As a leader in the field, your support and involvement are vital. You are also in a special position to invite and encourage others to attend, assuring that this conference will be a celebration of the unity and diversity of our movement.
TASH’s members and friends are counting on you. What sets TASH apart – and drives our impact – is a committed and engaged membership united by common values and purpose, and a reputation for making impossible ideas mainstream.
We look forward to seeing you in Baltimore and to “Living the Vision Together”!
There is still time to participate in the discussions about the
TASH Strategic Plan!
The full text of the plan can be downloaded from the TASH web site, TASH Strategic Plan.
Members can comment by:
l Phone – sign up for a call at 2:00 PM Eastern time on one of these days:
October 10 or October 17. Sign up by email to btrader@tash.org, and give the date you want to participate in your subject line.
l Email your suggestions and comments to btrader@tash.org.
l Fax your comments to Barb Trader at 410-828-6706.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TASH MEMBERSHIP
WHEN: Friday, November 10, 1:30 pm
WHERE: Ballroom III
In accord with the TASH by-laws, over 50 members have requested a special meeting. These members and others have expressed concern over the Board’s decision-making and communication.
TASH has experienced major changes over the past year: the termination of the Executive Director; a drastic reduction in TASH staff; and plans to move the TASH office to the Washington, D.C. area. The special meeting will offer the opportunity for current and former members to express concerns or ask questions about how the Board and leadership make decisions. The general purpose of the special membership meeting is to review past actions and to determine if proper governance and fiduciary responsibilities were upheld by the TASH Executive Board. This is consistent with TASH’s tradition of participatory decision-making and transparency. The special meeting also will be designed to explore constructive solutions for moving the association forward and refocusing on the values on which TASH was founded.
For further information, you can contact John Butterworth
(John.Butterworth@umb.edu), Kathy Gee
(kegee@comcast.net), Cynthia Levine (ce.levine@verizon.net),
or Steve Taylor (staylo01@syr.edu)
The room block at the Sheraton is
SOLD OUT!!!!!!
Don’t fear, though! We anticipated the high demand, and have reserved a limited room block at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor, directly across from the Convention Center. But don’t delay! Rooms at the Marriott also are going quickly; this block is reserved until midnight, Friday, October 6.
Call (800) 228-9290 TODAY to ensure your accommodations for the 2006 TASH Conference!
Click here for a description of topic areas and strands.
Don’t miss the stimulating and informative town hall meetings at this year’s TASH conference!
Into the Light: Breaking the Cycle of Institutionalization, Aversives, and Restraint
Thursday, November 9 ~ 5:45-6:45 p.m.
The use of aversives and restraint flourishes in hidden-away institutional settings, beyond the spotlight of community awareness. The more service providers become dependent on techniques that violate community standards, the easier they often find it to convince legislators, regulators, the courts, and even parents that segregated settings are necessary.
For 31 years TASH has made it a priority to break this dehumanizing cycle; now breaking events are bringing new challenges and opportunities our way. This Town Hall will look at the gathering forces around deinstitutionalization in Maryland and elsewhere, and at how families, self-advocates, and legal advocates in different states are confronting regulatory roadblocks that would legitimize the use of aversives and restraint in schools. Discussion and participation are welcomed as we seek new TASH strategies and courses of action.
Invited presenters and discussants:
v Diane McComb, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Disabilities
v Ollie Cantos, Associate Director on Disabilities, White House Domestic Policy Council
v Vito Albanese
v Billy Albanese
v Ken Mollins, Esq.
v Janette Vance
v Isabelle Zehnder
v Ann Salinski
v Fredda Brown
v Representative of PILCOP (Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia)
Creating a Voice: Equity and Access for People of Color with Disabilities
Friday, November 10 ~ 5:30-7:30 p.m.
People of color with severe disabilities must contend with the compounding outcomes of disability and racial discrimination. Research findings report a high incidence of intellectual disability, disproportional special education classification, high drop-out rates from school, low post-secondary education and employment, limited access to health care, and other factors contributing to poor quality of life experiences.
This interactive Town Meeting brings together individuals with disabilities, family members, researchers and managers, educators and employers, and policy-makers to review the data, describe best practices, and identify action steps to improve quality of life experiences for people of color with disabilities.
v Wanda Blanchett, Moderator
Presenters and discussants:
v Michael Brown, Arc of Hunterdon County, New Jersey
v Allen Crocker, Children’s Hospital, Institute for Community Inclusion, Boston, MA
v Ralph W. Edwards, Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation, Boston, MA
v Barbara E. Ransom, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA v Mary Brown, DC Developmental Disability Council, Washington, DC
v Gerrie Hawkins, National Council on Disability, Washington, DC
v Christine Marchand (or representative), Arc of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
v Mary Lou Meccariello, Arc of DC, Washington, DC
v Sabrina Williams, Stop & Shop Stores, Quincy, MA
Thank you to our 2006 conference sponsors!
vABILITY Magazine, www.abilitymagazine.com
Conference Partner
vBrookes Publishing, www.brookespublishing.com
Education Strand Sponsor
vCal-TASH, www.tash.org/chapters/caltash/intro.htm
Family Strand Sponsor
vCenter for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies ~ University of Maine, www.ccids.umaine.edu/
Conference Partner
vCenter on Disability and Community Inclusion ~ University of Vermont, www.uvm.edu/~cdci/
Multicultural Strand Sponsor
vInstitute on Disability/UCED at the University of New Hampshire, www.iod.unh.edu/
Conference Partner
vS.L. Start, www.slstart.com/
Gold Level Sponsor
vTotal Living Concept, www.totallivingconcept.org
Conference Partner
If you need to attract a talented and diverse audience to your research, publication or assistive technology device, then the annual TASH conference is the one place where you must share your information! TASH’s annual conference reaches a powerful market of attendees who influence the purchase of equipment, products and services for thousands of individuals and organizations around the world. Don’t miss out! Visit our web site, re www.tash.org/2006tash/sponsor.htm or call today, 1-800-482-8274 to find out more about exhibit and sponsorship opportunities.
v v v v v
We are in need of conference volunteers!
Looking for an interesting way to meet people at the TASH conference and save a few dollars at the same time? Join our dedicated group of conference volunteers! Donate 7 hours of volunteer time between November 6 and 11 and receive FREE registration!
Contact Priscilla Newton, Volunteer Coordinator, pnewton@tash.org or call 410-828-8274, ext. 102 for more details!
v v v v v
Positive Behavior Support Guide now available!
Working Together: A Guide to Positive Behavior Support For Families and Professionals was developed to provide families and professionals with an overview of PBS and suggestions for working together while creating a support plan. Authored by Sharon Lohrmann and Fredda Brown, the guide is organized into four sections: What is PBS?; Conducting Functional Behavior Assessments; Designing and Implementing Positive Supports; and Evaluating Supports.
Click here tash.org/pdf/PBSGuideOrderForm.pdf to order your copy today!
v v v v v
Please feel free to share this electronic preview of TASH Connections with friends and colleagues. Invite them to visit the TASH web site, www.tash.org for a look at our expanding list of resources, resolutions and conference updates. As always, they are welcome to contact us at any time by telephone (410-828-8274) or e-mail, info@tash.org, to learn more about TASH membership.
And don’t forget if your friend, family member or colleague becomes a TASH member by October 27, he/she qualifies for discounted conference registration!
Priscilla Newton
Editor
TASH Connections
pnewton@tash.org
v v v v v
Coming soon in the September/October issue of TASH Connections – The Changing Face of Community Supports
Weaving a Common Thread Without Creating a Model for Individual Supports
BY JOE WYKOWSKI and PATTI SCOTT
This year’s community living-focused issue of TASH Connections represents a wide variety of approaches and options concerning how to support individuals with a disability. The issue was developed by inviting several agencies to share their approach to individual supports. We invite you to enjoy the diverse perspectives from organizations with varying years of experience and from different states throughout the country. What each organization shares are common values and a deep commitment to full lives for the citizens they support. Click here for full text of article.
v v v v v
Sharing Lives
BY PAT FRATANGELO
“All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,
tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one
directly affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought
to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can
never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.”
Martin Luther King
Living and sharing life together is part of what makes each of us whole. Learning from, and taking care of another person through the triumphs and struggles of life is part of what helps to bind us together as we grow in relationships with one another. Life sharing is a term that is arising in our field, and it is time to begin to realize what this can mean for a person with a disability.
People with disabilities have typically not had the opportunity to choose their home or lifestyle, and often times have been placed into a living arrangement with other people who they do not know, nor do they care to live with. The system has traditionally offered only what was available, with little or no opportunity for another type of arrangement that is “out of the norm.” Click here for full text of article.
v v v v v
If you need your TASH member id number for conference registration or other purposes, please contact the TASH office at 410-828-8274.
TASH Connections Express is sent to all TASH members in conjunction with the publication of our news magazine, TASH Connections. To learn more about TASH, our upcoming conference, and the benefits of membership in TASH, visit our web site at www.tash.org.
From the Executive Director
Dear TASH Members,
It’s that familiar time of year when students return to their classes, parents, professionals, and advocates roll up their sleeves – and everyone looks forward to the TASH conference to share the field’s rich harvest of labor, learning, and visions for the future!
For decades the TASH conference has been there to sustain us with its warmth and wisdom as the chilly fall winds blow. Lately, as a different kind of chill falls upon public policy and our civil rights movement, those among us with the most significant disabilities are at increasing risk of being left out in the cold. This year’s TASH Conference, scheduled November 8 -11 in Baltimore’s family-friendly Inner Harbor area, is a vital opportunity for all our members and friends to come “home” and support each other, re-energizing for the critical work ahead of us.
As we prepare to join together in Baltimore, I am writing to encourage you to make use of an array of opportunities to learn from your colleagues and help guide the future of TASH. Here are some great opportunities–
Become inspired by keynoters Ann Turnbull of the Beach Center, Ursula and DJ Markey, working for social justice in New Orleans, writer and activist Jonathan Mooney, and 14-year-old student and composer Zach Bryant, who enjoys an inclusive education in his Maryland school.
Greet old friends and welcome first-timers at the opening reception Wednesday, November 8 (sponsored by S.L. Start) from 5:00 – 7:00 PM (also a great time to view the exhibits!) For new members and first time conference attendees, hear about TASH’s rich legacy from co-founder Lou Brown immediately after the reception, and be WOWED, moved, (and entertained!)
Join me and TASH board members and staff at the TASH booth in the exhibit hall. We urge you to share your thoughts about the draft strategic plan and sign up to work on operating committees. Learn how you can make a difference through TASH’s “Campaign to Sustain the Vision”!
For Chapter Leaders (or their representatives!) learn more about effective activism on Chapter Leadership Day, and provide input to chapter development and member services initiatives.
Celebrate winners of the Alice Hayden Award, TASH Media Awards, Legacy Award, and meet other notable leaders, movers and shakers.
Participate in the Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, November 10, and meet the five newly-elected board members. Hear about the state of the organization and plans to further our mission. Immediately following the Membership Meeting, all members are invited to join a conversation with TASH members and board representatives about the changes over the past year.
Join two thought-provoking and informative TASH Town Hall Meetings: Into the Light: Breaking the Cycle of Institutionalization, Aversives, and Restraint is planned for Thursday, November 9 at 5:45 p.m., and Creating a Voice: Equity and Access for People of Color with Disabilities will take place on Friday, November 10 at 5:30 p.m. Both events will bring us together in productive dialogue as we grapple with challenging issues.
Hear how research intersects with advocacy from an exciting panel of speakers Friday afternoon.
Reconvene on Saturday, November 11, for the TASH Member Forum, and share thoughts about “what’s out there” – challenges, trends, opportunities and concerns that impact our mission.
And, as has become a tradition within the TASH network, the gracious and enthusiastic hospitality of our host, Mid-Atlantic TASH, assures many thoughtful touches for our out-of-towners, and a GREAT dance with a DJ on Thursday night!
A feast is being laid by and for the TASH community. As a leader in the field, your support and involvement are vital. You are also in a special position to invite and encourage others to attend, assuring that this conference will be a celebration of the unity and diversity of our movement.
TASH’s members and friends are counting on you. What sets TASH apart – and drives our impact – is a committed and engaged membership united by common values and purpose, and a reputation for making impossible ideas mainstream.
We look forward to seeing you in Baltimore and to “Living the Vision Together”!
There is still time to participate in the discussions about the
TASH Strategic Plan!
The full text of the plan can be downloaded from the TASH web site, TASH Strategic Plan.
Members can comment by:
l Phone – sign up for a call at 2:00 PM Eastern time on one of these days:
October 10 or October 17. Sign up by email to btrader@tash.org, and give the date you want to participate in your subject line.
l Email your suggestions and comments to btrader@tash.org.
l Fax your comments to Barb Trader at 410-828-6706.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TASH MEMBERSHIP
WHEN: Friday, November 10, 1:30 pm
WHERE: Ballroom III
In accord with the TASH by-laws, over 50 members have requested a special meeting. These members and others have expressed concern over the Board’s decision-making and communication.
TASH has experienced major changes over the past year: the termination of the Executive Director; a drastic reduction in TASH staff; and plans to move the TASH office to the Washington, D.C. area. The special meeting will offer the opportunity for current and former members to express concerns or ask questions about how the Board and leadership make decisions. The general purpose of the special membership meeting is to review past actions and to determine if proper governance and fiduciary responsibilities were upheld by the TASH Executive Board. This is consistent with TASH’s tradition of participatory decision-making and transparency. The special meeting also will be designed to explore constructive solutions for moving the association forward and refocusing on the values on which TASH was founded.
For further information, you can contact John Butterworth
(John.Butterworth@umb.edu), Kathy Gee
(kegee@comcast.net), Cynthia Levine (ce.levine@verizon.net),
or Steve Taylor (staylo01@syr.edu)
The room block at the Sheraton is
SOLD OUT!!!!!!
Don’t fear, though! We anticipated the high demand, and have reserved a limited room block at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor, directly across from the Convention Center. But don’t delay! Rooms at the Marriott also are going quickly; this block is reserved until midnight, Friday, October 6.
Call (800) 228-9290 TODAY to ensure your accommodations for the 2006 TASH Conference!
Click here for a description of topic areas and strands.
Don’t miss the stimulating and informative town hall meetings at this year’s TASH conference!
Into the Light: Breaking the Cycle of Institutionalization, Aversives, and Restraint
Thursday, November 9 ~ 5:45-6:45 p.m.
The use of aversives and restraint flourishes in hidden-away institutional settings, beyond the spotlight of community awareness. The more service providers become dependent on techniques that violate community standards, the easier they often find it to convince legislators, regulators, the courts, and even parents that segregated settings are necessary.
For 31 years TASH has made it a priority to break this dehumanizing cycle; now breaking events are bringing new challenges and opportunities our way. This Town Hall will look at the gathering forces around deinstitutionalization in Maryland and elsewhere, and at how families, self-advocates, and legal advocates in different states are confronting regulatory roadblocks that would legitimize the use of aversives and restraint in schools. Discussion and participation are welcomed as we seek new TASH strategies and courses of action.
Invited presenters and discussants:
v Diane McComb, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Disabilities
v Ollie Cantos, Associate Director on Disabilities, White House Domestic Policy Council
v Vito Albanese
v Billy Albanese
v Ken Mollins, Esq.
v Janette Vance
v Isabelle Zehnder
v Ann Salinski
v Fredda Brown
v Representative of PILCOP (Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia)
Creating a Voice: Equity and Access for People of Color with Disabilities
Friday, November 10 ~ 5:30-7:30 p.m.
People of color with severe disabilities must contend with the compounding outcomes of disability and racial discrimination. Research findings report a high incidence of intellectual disability, disproportional special education classification, high drop-out rates from school, low post-secondary education and employment, limited access to health care, and other factors contributing to poor quality of life experiences.
This interactive Town Meeting brings together individuals with disabilities, family members, researchers and managers, educators and employers, and policy-makers to review the data, describe best practices, and identify action steps to improve quality of life experiences for people of color with disabilities.
v Wanda Blanchett, Moderator
Presenters and discussants:
v Michael Brown, Arc of Hunterdon County, New Jersey
v Allen Crocker, Children’s Hospital, Institute for Community Inclusion, Boston, MA
v Ralph W. Edwards, Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation, Boston, MA
v Barbara E. Ransom, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA v Mary Brown, DC Developmental Disability Council, Washington, DC
v Gerrie Hawkins, National Council on Disability, Washington, DC
v Christine Marchand (or representative), Arc of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
v Mary Lou Meccariello, Arc of DC, Washington, DC
v Sabrina Williams, Stop & Shop Stores, Quincy, MA
Thank you to our 2006 conference sponsors!
vABILITY Magazine, www.abilitymagazine.com
Conference Partner
vBrookes Publishing, www.brookespublishing.com
Education Strand Sponsor
vCal-TASH, www.tash.org/chapters/caltash/intro.htm
Family Strand Sponsor
vCenter for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies ~ University of Maine, www.ccids.umaine.edu/
Conference Partner
vCenter on Disability and Community Inclusion ~ University of Vermont, www.uvm.edu/~cdci/
Multicultural Strand Sponsor
vInstitute on Disability/UCED at the University of New Hampshire, www.iod.unh.edu/
Conference Partner
vS.L. Start, www.slstart.com/
Gold Level Sponsor
vTotal Living Concept, www.totallivingconcept.org
Conference Partner
If you need to attract a talented and diverse audience to your research, publication or assistive technology device, then the annual TASH conference is the one place where you must share your information! TASH’s annual conference reaches a powerful market of attendees who influence the purchase of equipment, products and services for thousands of individuals and organizations around the world. Don’t miss out! Visit our web site, re www.tash.org/2006tash/sponsor.htm or call today, 1-800-482-8274 to find out more about exhibit and sponsorship opportunities.
v v v v v
We are in need of conference volunteers!
Looking for an interesting way to meet people at the TASH conference and save a few dollars at the same time? Join our dedicated group of conference volunteers! Donate 7 hours of volunteer time between November 6 and 11 and receive FREE registration!
Contact Priscilla Newton, Volunteer Coordinator, pnewton@tash.org or call 410-828-8274, ext. 102 for more details!
v v v v v
Positive Behavior Support Guide now available!
Working Together: A Guide to Positive Behavior Support For Families and Professionals was developed to provide families and professionals with an overview of PBS and suggestions for working together while creating a support plan. Authored by Sharon Lohrmann and Fredda Brown, the guide is organized into four sections: What is PBS?; Conducting Functional Behavior Assessments; Designing and Implementing Positive Supports; and Evaluating Supports.
Click here tash.org/pdf/PBSGuideOrderForm.pdf to order your copy today!
v v v v v
Please feel free to share this electronic preview of TASH Connections with friends and colleagues. Invite them to visit the TASH web site, www.tash.org for a look at our expanding list of resources, resolutions and conference updates. As always, they are welcome to contact us at any time by telephone (410-828-8274) or e-mail, info@tash.org, to learn more about TASH membership.
And don’t forget if your friend, family member or colleague becomes a TASH member by October 27, he/she qualifies for discounted conference registration!
Priscilla Newton
Editor
TASH Connections
pnewton@tash.org
v v v v v
Coming soon in the September/October issue of TASH Connections – The Changing Face of Community Supports
Weaving a Common Thread Without Creating a Model for Individual Supports
BY JOE WYKOWSKI and PATTI SCOTT
This year’s community living-focused issue of TASH Connections represents a wide variety of approaches and options concerning how to support individuals with a disability. The issue was developed by inviting several agencies to share their approach to individual supports. We invite you to enjoy the diverse perspectives from organizations with varying years of experience and from different states throughout the country. What each organization shares are common values and a deep commitment to full lives for the citizens they support. Click here for full text of article.
v v v v v
Sharing Lives
BY PAT FRATANGELO
“All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,
tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one
directly affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought
to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can
never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.”
Martin Luther King
Living and sharing life together is part of what makes each of us whole. Learning from, and taking care of another person through the triumphs and struggles of life is part of what helps to bind us together as we grow in relationships with one another. Life sharing is a term that is arising in our field, and it is time to begin to realize what this can mean for a person with a disability.
People with disabilities have typically not had the opportunity to choose their home or lifestyle, and often times have been placed into a living arrangement with other people who they do not know, nor do they care to live with. The system has traditionally offered only what was available, with little or no opportunity for another type of arrangement that is “out of the norm.” Click here for full text of article.
v v v v v
If you need your TASH member id number for conference registration or other purposes, please contact the TASH office at 410-828-8274.
TASH Connections Express is sent to all TASH members in conjunction with the publication of our news magazine, TASH Connections. To learn more about TASH, our upcoming conference, and the benefits of membership in TASH, visit our web site at www.tash.org.
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