Wednesday, October 20
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Keynote: Redefining Disability
Disability does not mean inability Hear from Wisconsin’s own advocates who have broken barriers and expectations. Their stories will inspire you to never take “no” for an answer and to live a more Self-Determined life.
Keynote Speakers
Erica Andres is the Owner of Empowering U, a company dedicated to ensuring People with Disabilities can Self-Direct to make the most out of their lives. Erica holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications & a Human Resources Certificate. She has experience with recruiting, hiring, and training employees as a former Agency Director, a summer camp Recruitment Director and as a self-advocate managing her own team of caregivers
since 2000.
Cindy Bentley has been leading the work of People First Wisconsin for over 20 years! Cindy is a fierce advocate. She is a person with an intellectual disability who believes in self-determination and inclusion.
Nicki Vander Meulen is a 42 year old juvenile attorney, elected to two terms on the Madison Metropolitan School Board, and the first openly Autistic person on a school board in the country. Nicki has spent her life fighting to make public education more equitable and inclusive for children. Nicki has Asperger’s and Cerebral Palsy and at the age of five she was told she was uneducable and should be institutionalized. Nicki fought to get the public education she deserved and went on to graduate from UW – Madison Law School in 2004.
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Networking Break & Exhibitor Corner
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Really Good Learning Sessions 19 – 24
Self-Advocacy Sessions
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Presenter: Tyler Engel, William Schultz
Sporting events are often diffcult for people with disabilities to attend due to cost and accessibility barriers. After attending Forward Madison matches in 2019, William Schultz and friends decided to start a group to make game days more welcoming to people with disabilities. The AccessiMingos group was formed. Learn how this group worked to remove barriers for the 2021 season for a local Soccer team.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 82504090464
Session 19: Making Sporting Events Accessible
Presenter: Tyler Engel, William Schultz
Sporting events are often diffcult for people with disabilities to attend due to cost and accessibility barriers. After attending Forward Madison matches in 2019, William Schultz and friends decided to start a group to make game days more welcoming to people with disabilities. The AccessiMingos group was formed. Learn how this group worked to remove barriers for the 2021 season for a local Soccer team.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 82504090464
Session 20: A Place of One’s Own
Presenter: Phillip Temme
Come to hear about Philip’s story about finding his own apartment. Learn how he chose his place and how he maintains his independence while living alone. Come find out how to plan to live on your own.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 86883231461
Session 21: Finding My Forever Family (Coming to America)
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenter: Daniel Strutz
Growing up in Burkina Faso, Africa, I used to dream about my future. I never imagined that at 12 years old I would come to live with my forever family in America. I am the youngest of two sisters and one brother in my family but, I am proud to say that I am the tallest! I enjoy spending time running, playing the drums, playing with our two crazy dogs, and working a full-time job. Although life has brought many changes and challenges for me, I am encouraged to share my story to help others.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 86333429045
Session 22: Exploring High School Booster Clubs for More Community Involvement
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenter: James Williams
Many people with disabilities experience the loss of social and community connections after graduating high school. Listen to James as he describes how he maintained social connections within his local community by joining his former high school’s booster club, and how participation within high school booster clubs can help individuals with disabilities maintain social connections within their communities.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 83268575416
Session 23: Don’t Apologize
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenter: Ashley Mathy
People with disability want to be treated just like everyone else. Ashley Mathy is a self-advocate and a peer mentor who wants you to know how people with disabilities feel when they are treated differently from others. She also wants to tell self-advocates that their voice matters and it’s ok to give people feedback on how words affect them.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID:84350220996
Session 24: A Story of Perseverance and Determination
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenter: Stacy Ellingen
Due to complications at birth, doctors weren’t certain what Stacy’s future would hold. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at just three months old, she has defied all odds. Growing up, despite her significant physical limitations, Stacy was expected to do everything just like her peers. From graduating college, to finding an apartment, to finding employment, to using self-direction to meet personal care and medical needs, to learning and navigating through the “system”, this self-advocate will share her story of how determination and perseverance are keys to living a successful life.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID:86014192970
Join us for a Lunch Bunch! – 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Grab your lunch and hop on Zoom. We’ll just hang out and chat about whatever comes up! This, of course, is optional! You can take a break if you want and join us again at 12:30 p.m. for more great sessions!
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 820 3825 7143
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Really Good Learning Sessions 25 – 30
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Presenters: Lauren Dettmer, Virginia Harrison, Nicole Lee
Wondering how to build a full life after high school? Join us to explore what opportunities for community engagement are possible after high school with exploratory, strengths-based activities and group sharing. You will leave this session feeling empowered to pursue community connections.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 88169008320
Session 25: Growing into Your Community: What’s after High School?
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Lauren Dettmer, Virginia Harrison, Nicole Lee
Wondering how to build a full life after high school? Join us to explore what opportunities for community engagement are possible after high school with exploratory, strengths-based activities and group sharing. You will leave this session feeling empowered to pursue community connections.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 88169008320
Session 26: Conversations around COVID-19
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Kaitlin McNamara, Sue Urban RN, Tina Wiley
Join us for a conversation around COVID-19. Come share your experience over the last two years and ask us any questions you have about the virus, the vaccine, resources for staying safe and healthy, and combatting social isolation. The conversation will be facilitated by Kaitlin McNamara, the Project Coordinator for the Living Well Project at BPDD. The Living Well project has led BPDD’s COVID-19 outreach and developed a comprehensive COVID-19 Toolkit on how to stay healthy, safe, and connected. She will be joined by Tina Wiley, a self-advocate working with Opportunity Development Centers, Inc. on the Living Well grant. Tina is new to the grant and will be delivering the Safe and Free curriculum and the rights toolkit to peer groups. She is eager to share her experiences with COVID-19 and connect with others on this topic. Kaitlin and Tina will be joined by Sue Urban, RN, Clinical Director of the IRIS Self-Directed Personal Care (SDPC) Program, Sue will share the latest updates on COVID, vaccines and how to continue to keep yourself safe and healthy.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 84290024384
Session 27: Living Well-Healthy, Safe and Connected Toolkit for Self-Advocates
Presenters: Sally Flaschberger, Nathaniel Lentz
The BPDD Living Well Grant will unveil their new Healthy, Safe and Connected Toolkit for Self-Advocates. Learn how to stay healthy by knowing about nutrition, exercise, and stress relief. Learn about staying safe from abuse and neglect and who can help you if you are unsafe. Learn about ways to stay connected including ideas on making friends and knowing who your social supports are.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 88158182563
Session 28: Using Plain Language
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenter: Jennifer Sell
Have you ever wanted to get your message across clearer and faster? Using plain language may be the answer! Everyone is talking about it, but what exactly is plain language and how can you get started? Plain language is communication that your audience can understand and use the first time they read it. This session will explore strategies that can make any type of writing more accessible and effective, from emails and social media posts to reports and marketing materials. Come learn how people across the globe rely on plain language to save time, money, work, and frustration by promoting better understanding.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 88158182563
Session 29: Employer Authority 101
Presenters: Erica Andres, Mark Laing
Let’s talk about employer authority! If you want to learn how to recruit, hire, supervise, and direct your own workers, this presentation is for you. Join self-advocates Erica Andres and Mark Laing as they show how they use employer authority to lead independent lives. They’ll share their knowledge and experiences of being an employer, and provide helpful tools for hiring, training and retaining your workers. They’ll also talk about where to find workers, questions to ask them when interviewing, how to deal with diffcult situations with workers, tips for keeping good workers, and how to be a good boss!
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 86060331882
SESSION CANCELLED Session 30: The Other Side of The Door - Race and Equity
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Keith Jones, Delores Sallis
Let’s continue to discuss the importance of race and the impact it has on families, educators, and communities in shaping views. How do those views shape how high-quality services are being delivered equitably for all communities, particularly for black people with disabilities? We will discuss the continued lack of awareness and importance given to policies and practices that are barriers to true inclusion of people with disabilities.
SESSION WAS CANCELLED
Wednesday Meetups
What’s a Meetup? A Meetup is a 30 minute get together with people who are interested in the same topic. Join as many as you are interested in!
1:40 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
Ask the Employment Expert
This Meetup will have Spanish Interpretation
This Meetup will have Sign Language Interpretation
Hosted by APSE
Let’s talk about all questions related to employment. Representatives from DVR, DHS and a few employment providers will answer your employment questions.
https://apse-org.zoom.us/j/82861484293?pwd=cU1nOU4wUkc2QXZCaTh3WnRCOTlFUT09
Or Dial in: 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 828 6148 4293
Passcode: 060134
Benefits of Exercise
Hosted by Austin Schyvinck
Pursuing regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health and wellness! Join us to discuss the benefits linked to exercise and share the creative ways you have stayed active throughout the pandemic.
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86040029769?pwd=aGh2b0JzaHF2YVl6T3NyZktQdEdyQT09
Meeting ID: 860 4002 9769
Passcode: FitChat
Family Caregivers
Hosted by Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance (WFACSA)
Join leaders of the WFACSA to share and discuss issues and needs from the family caregiver perspective. We want to hear from you on how we can raise awareness of family and caregiver support needs and increase the availability of and access to services and supports (both paid and unpaid).
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85449277277?pwd=Yzg5NXlmYjNoNHovbHdSRWNGOWh1dz09
Or Dial in: 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 854 4927 7277
Passcode: 156081
Let’s Have a Chat about Wisconsin’s Dark Secret!
This Meetup will have Spanish Interpretation
This Meetup will have Sign Language Interpretation
Hosted by The Arc Wisconsin
Let’s Have a Chat about Wisconsin’s Dark Secret! Hosted by The Arc Wisconsin Listen to the Arc Wisconsin’s new podcast – The Arc Experience. In one of our latest episodes, we talk about perhaps Wisconsin’s darkest secret about people with disabilities. Many people think it is a piece of history that should be forgotten. Come listen to bits of this episode about how Wisconsin still operates three state institutions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Places that have been open since the 19th century. We will listen to the experts, talk about the issue and share ideas on how we can make a deference. difference.
https://zoom.us/j/93716388116
Or Dial In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 937 1638 8116
Relationship Meet up
Hosted by Ashley Mathy
Let’s talk relationships! Friendships, romance – this is a safe place for you to ask question, share information and learn some tips to keep you safe. For Self-Advocates only!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85899020382?pwd=a3cyd2dOMzY1NDBtQkdrNFZaZlJiQT09
2:20 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Interested in Learning Sign Language?
Hosted by Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Have you ever wanted to learn American Sign Language, or ASL? Have you ever wished you could communicate better with people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing? If you said “yes” please join the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) for our ASL Meet Up. Here you will meet ODHH staff, learn more about communicating with people who are Deaf, and learn a few basic everyday signs.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85808160169?pwd=RGxDZTlTTHhFNEJMOUVLUGVWeHRaQT09
Or Dial in: 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 858 0816 0169
Passcode: H6K9aj
Poetry Meetup
This Meetup will have Spanish Interpretation
This Meetup will have Sign Language Interpretation
Hosted by Office Resource Center Development
Dancing to Poetry! Gary Glazner, an award-winning New York based poet, will lead a fun, high-energy session, packed-full of simple techniques to help add arts to your life. Glazner’s work has been featured on “The Today Show,” the “PBS News Hour,” and NPR’s “All Things Considered.” Glazner works with people of all ages. Yes, we will dance to poetry!
https://dhswi.zoom.us/j/89726237434
Meeting ID: 897 2623 7434
or Dial In: 1 312 626 6799
Self-Determination Game
This Meetup will have Spanish Interpretation
This Meetup will have Sign Language Interpretation
Hosted by the BPDD and the Youth Ambassadors
Preparing to be more independent means learning new skills and getting the support you need to be successful. How do you want to be more independent?
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82464912664
Click Here for Meetup Materials
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meditation and Chocolate
This Meetup will have Spanish Interpretation
This Meetup will have Sign Language Interpretation
Hosted by Philip Temme and TMG
Chocolate meditation is one of the most pleasurable and delicious forms of mindfulness
meditation out there. Learn, practice and share chocolate meditation techniques.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86143369567
Or Dial In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 861 4336 9567
Strength & Growth – Scavenger Hunt
This Meetup will have Spanish Interpretation
Hosted by Connections
The scavenger hunt will be accessible to English, Spanish and Hmong speakers to play. The theme of the game is strength and growth. Players will be given a challenge to find something near them that represents personal strength or growth. They will be given the opportunity to show it to the camera and explain, if they wish.
https://lsswis-org.zoom.us/j/83956818485?pwd=SUlJVWI2WWM1YllBdG5XcXdLbTdtZz09
Or dial in 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 839 5681 8485
Passcode: 133536
How Does Respite Fit Into Your Life?
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Hosted by Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (RCAW)
Join the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin team to share your thoughts and discuss ideas on how RCAW can better promote, support, and expand quality statewide respite care across the lifespan.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83035316290?pwd=LzRyR1lUTVk4VE9CMUpmN2wreElsQT09
or Dial In 1 312 626 6799 US
Meeting ID: 830 3531 6290
Passcode: 162093
You Rock!
This Meetup will have Spanish Interpretation
Hosted by P!NC
Learn the story behind “Wisconsin Rocks” Facebook group and how to paint your own at home. This group is promoting acts of random kindness to unexpectedly brighten
someone’s day one rock at a time. When you hide rocks you are giving someone a “gift” to find and that feels good! Take the rock in your kit and place your rock in a park, in a tree, or someplace unexpected. When you find a rock, take a pic & post on FB “Wisconsin Rocks.’”
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82038257143
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 820 3825 7143
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wrap Up Video and Really Cool Door Prizes!
Don’t miss our fabulous wrap up video and see if you win one of our really cool door prizes. It’s tradition!
or Dial In (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID 84678497806
6:00 p.m. Movie
INTerDEPENDENCE – 53 Minutes
Movie treats provided by MyChoice Family Care
As if having a disability wasn’t enough in and of itself, they face a society that treats them as, in the words of one interviewee, “second class citizens”. A dozen people with disabilities from around Wisconsin share their experiences and perspectives in this documentary. Some were born with a disabling condition, others acquired it later in life. Many feel they don’t have anything to lose by “telling it like it is”, and they hope, ultimately, that revealing their personal, private lives will help the disability rights movement as a whole. Their insightful, poignant stories provide an understanding into the challenges, frustrations and successes they face as people on the margins who are living, or trying to live, in the mainstream of society.
Meeting ID: 852 4451 8796
Hang Out – 7:30 p.m.
Join us for some laughs, see old friends and play some games! You may even win a prize!
Meeting ID: 852 4451 8796
