Accessibility & People with Disablities
A1: Across the Spectrum: Insights and Best Practices When Working with Students with ASD
Tivoli 261 (Multicultural Lounge)With a significant increase in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), faculty and staff are seeing a growing number of students with ASD making the transition to postsecondary education settings. As colleges grapple with issues related to student retention and persistence, many of the same models, supports, and accommodations may not be as readily applicable to students with
B1: Handling the Financial Challenges of Children with Disabilities
Tivoli 320AMary J. Schultz of the National Endowment for Financial Education will present this lively, engaging workshop that helps the caregivers of children with disabilities handle their money. With this knowledge, the children may have more opportunity, including the change to go to college. This workshop is available for any organization to download for their audience. It addresses the
A2: Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students Accessibility: Culture, Language, and Communication
Tivoli 261 (Multicultural Lounge)Accessibility and experiences for Deaf or Hard of Hearing students in Higher Education differs from secondary education support services. This presentation will outline the cultural, linguistic and communication differences between Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Participants will be able to identify cultural nuances, language variations and communication preferences amongst the Deaf and Hard of Hearing student population and
C2: Invisible Diversity: Helping Ex-Offenders and Homeless/Foster Youth Get Where They’re Going
Tivoli 320B"How did we get here" is a question asked by the ex-offender and homeless/foster youth population that goes much deeper than it does with other populations, primarily because it is often followed with the question, "how do I get out of here?" Pursuing post-secondary education is most definitely a goal for these populations, but they first have to
Lunch and Keynote with Marsha Aizumi & Geena Rocero
Tivoli 250 (Turnhalle)HEDS Art Exhibit
King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO, United StatesHEDS keeps looking for new ways to connect and explore diversity. The committee has decided the ArtAbility and The Milestone Project. Merging these two art exhibits at the conference will provide us a new way to engage in diversity conversations. Learn more about these projects.
Phamaly Performance – James and the Giant Peach
King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO, United StatesPhamaly Theatre Company produces professional scale plays and musicals year-round throughout the Denver Metro region, cast entirely of performers with disabilities of all kinds – physical, cognitive, intellectual, and emotional. Currently celebrating its 28th season, Phamaly’s artistry is unique in the theatre world, and the company has garnered numerous awards for its highly innovative productions. In addition to MainStage shows, Phamaly offers educational classes and other professional development opportunities for theatre artists with disabilities.
HEDS Talks 4 – From Adolescence into Adulthood – A Journey in Mental Health and Overall Well Being
King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO, United StatesMichelle Wiley, LPC, CPRP brings social innovation to the field of mental health. Her most recent endeavor has been launching a new program of the Mental Health Center of Denver to serve teens and young adults in the areas of prevention, early intervention, and whole-person, collaborative treatment -- all with holding the intention to help change the trajectories of mental health experiences. Areas of interest and specialty include dynamic and effective program evaluation strategies; developing programs that are relevant, meaningful and culturally responsive; implementing change initiatives; and creating teams and cultures that support the longevity of professionals in the helping fields.
HEDS Talk 5 – Broken Crayons Still Color
King Center - Concert Hall 855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO, United StatesAs a freshman in high schools, Emily was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Several surgeries later, she found herself permanently blind. Now a student with a disability, Emily has persevered through an independence training program for the visually impaired and her college career. Emily shares a unique perspective of the value that should be placed on people with disabilities and the fact that "Broken Crayons Still Color."
Minorities in the Media: Thugs, Hoes, & Illegals
The media has controlled what information we as a society can access. But what happens when we equip individuals with phones with cameras and Twitter feeds? Amazing things! More people begin to notice how bias a lot of the media sources are when it comes to representing minorities; whether that be photo choice on the front page of newspapers or watching basic television shows. Let's unpack all the words for how minorities are represented in the media and how hashtag activism is combating that old rhetoric.
The Art of Your Journey
When thinking about your journey from adolescence to adulthood, imagine a road or a path of some kind. Create an image using the materials provided to illustrate a picture to represent your road or path that you took from adolescence to adulthood. What stops occurred along the way? Were there any “road blocks” that you experienced during this time? If so, what were they and what do they look like? Did your path or road go different directions? If so, why? What kind of “road side assistance” helped you along the way? Also, think about where you are located on this path? You may be a young adolescent that is 20 years old, so your journey may be just getting started. Or perhaps, you’re an adult in your 40s towards the end of your journey.
Conquering Reading Disabilities with Technology
Just getting through a textbook with dyslexia or a vision impairment can stop an education in its tracks. Add in all of the other reading material that may be provided - articles online, scanned articles provided in email or through a learning management system, or hard-copy handouts in a class - and you have a recipe for failure. How do students navigate these treacherous paths and have a road to success? And how can you, as an educator, help them get there? This session will discuss technology solutions for persons with various types of reading disabilities, and provide easy everyone-can-use it methods and software to provide that level playing field that all students need.
Closing Reception
King Center - Main Street 855 Lawrence Way, Denver, CO, United StatesFollowing the last session, the closing reception is a place to connect with other attendees, presenters, and keynote speakers. The Summit is featuring the ArtAbility and Arapahoe Community College Inclusivity and Diversity Milestone Project. Merging these two art exhibits at the conference will provide us a new way to engage in diversity conversations. Submit art for ArtAbility
Accessibility Awareness Festival
Auraria CampusVisit out website
Morning Keynote – State Representative Leslie Herod
Tivoli 250 (Turnhalle)Representative Leslie Herod represents House District 8 in Northeast Denver, in State House of Representatives. Capturing over 38,000 votes in 2016, Representative Herod received the highest number of votes for any state house candidate running in a contested race. Representative Herod is the first African American LGBT candidate elected to the State Legislature. Representative Herod’s
ArtAblity Exhibit
Tivoli 320's LoungeAccommodation to Access
Tivoli 320AThe session will explore the difference between access and accommodation and how a shift in focus to access supports more inclusive and accessible learning environments for all students. The session presenters will look at a proactive collaborative model that Access Center has used to address accommodation and access issues, including feedback from faculty who engaged
Challenges and Conquests for the Neurodiverse Brain, Distinctively Diverse
Tivoli 442Students with Neurodiverse brain wiring often found in the Autism Spectrum, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Tourettes and other conditions usually exhibit Executive Function Challenges that can seriously impact their ability to learn from more traditional methods. In spite of these challenges, they often possess unique gifts and talents and might excel in one or more areas
Elevate at ACC: The Development of Inclusive Higher Education Programs Across Colorado
Tivoli 320BIn July of 2016, Senate Bill 16-196 overwhelmingly passed to designate legislative funding for the development of inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at three Colorado colleges: ACC, UNC, and UCCS. Prior to, Colorado was one of only four states in the nation that did not offer such opportunities
Lunch Keynote – US Representative Jared Polis
Tivoli 250 (Turnhalle)Jared Polis is an independent leader who uses his private and public sector experience to find pragmatic solutions to the challenges facing Colorado and the nation. First elected to represent Colorado’s Second Congressional District in 2008, Polis serves on the powerful Committee on Rules, the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the Committee on Ethics,