EVENT INFO

Time: 7:00 am
Room: Symphony Ballroom

Presenter(s): Bruce Keisling, PhD, ABPP, FAAIDD
Time: 8:00 am
Room: Symphony Ballroom

To kickoff the 2025 MegaConference, Dr. Bruce Keisling will remind us of where we have been as a country and state in our treatment of and advocacy for those with disabilities. He will discuss our struggles and celebrate our accomplishments in this look at Past Reflections, Future Directions.

Presenter(s): LifeCourse
Time: 9:15 am
Room: Symphony Ballroom

Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) is a person-centered framework being used around the country to help people of all ages to explore, envision and plan their good life. It is driven by the core belief that all people and their families have the right to live, love, work and play, and pursue a good life in the community. Jane St. John, one of the key developers, will share her personal journey with using the framework to support her son in living his good life. She will introduce the CtLC life domains and how they will guide you in your MegaConference experience. Wherever you are on your journey, get inspired to learn more and try Charting the LifeCourse in your own life or with someone you support.

Presenter(s): Kelly Kuhns, Nichole Phillips-Brock, John Camperlino
Time: 10:30 am
Room: Blackbird B

Employment plays a vital role in people’s lives! It’s a great way to explore new skills, enhance financial independence, and be involved in your community. Ensuring that you have the right services and supports for your goals is important. In this panel, you’ll hear from the Employment Specialists at TennCare and the Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to learn about what’s new and find out more about the supports that are available through ECF CHOICES and CHOICES to help people find and keep jobs.

Presenter(s): Verity Rodrigues, Janet Shouse
Time: 10:30 am
Room: Blackbird Studio A

Many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, deal with mental and behavioral health issues, and they and their families, support persons and health care providers struggle to figure out what’s going on and why. The IDD Toolkit offers strategies on identifying and addressing some of the mental health challenges people with IDD face.

Presenter(s): Anna Lea Cothron
Time: 10:30 am
Room: Gold

Money Follows the Person (MFP) is a federally funded grant awarded to TennCare with the purpose of assisting the state to transition Medicaid eligible members from qualified institutions (i.e., ICF/IID) to home and community-based care, and to also assist the state to rebalance their long-term care expenditures. Money Follows the Person financially supports individuals transitioning from institutional settings to community-based settings, emphasizing independence and quality of life. This presentation will give an overview of MFP, discuss ongoing initiatives, and share member success stories.

Presenter(s): Earle J. Schwarz
Time: 10:30 am
Room: Lyric

Intunity leases high-quality homes in neighborhood settings to persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities at rental rates that are substantially below market. Working with various partners, we have designed a durable, fully accommodated, and energy efficient house loaded with enabling technology that we have built using modular construction methods. This presentation will focus on the evolution of the project from a traditional design concept to the decision to use a more innovative approach to construction and how our experience can be replicated throughout the affordable housing industry.

Presenter(s): Matt Holder
Time: 10:30 am
Room: Ocean Way

At Kramer Davis (KD) Health, our sole purpose is to provide exemplary healthcare to people with IDD. We are patient-focused experts who understand that different abilities require a different approach to care. The breakout participant will be able to describe the benefits of a transdisciplinary health care model. The participant will be able to identify how to make an appointment or refer a patient to Kramer Davis Health. Founded by physicians Dr. Matthew Holder and Dr. Henry Hood of the renowned Lee Specialty Clinic, our transdisciplinary model puts people with IDD at the center of their healthcare. Designed for adults and adolescents with IDD over the age of 13, KD Health provides a revolutionary option in healthcare-inclusive, compassionate, specialized care for the whole person.

Presenter(s): Jessica Wyatt
Time: 10:30 am
Room: Sound Emporium A

Attendees will learn about a personal experience of a young woman living with cerebral palsy and how she overcame a life-threatening eating disorder and other mental health illnesses.

Presenter(s): Vivian Abbas
Time: 10:30 am
Room: Sound Emporium B

In this presentation, CDTN will explain how self-directed options within Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) can transform care by giving clients more independence, flexibility, and control. We’ll show how CDTN’s tools, like the Provider Directory, help clients easily find and personalize their care.

Presenter(s): Annette Graves, Sandra Hawkins
Time: 10:30 am
Room: Southern Ground A

This session will raise awareness about the importance of self-care practices, educating participants on various self-care strategies across physical, mental and emotional aspects. Enabling individuals to identify personal self-care needs and providing practical tools to implement a simple self-care routine.

Presenter(s): Dan Dumont
Time: 10:30 am
Room: Southern Ground B

This is a presentation on mental health initiatives at Empower Tennessee to increase capacity to serve individuals with disabilities who also have behavioral or mental health needs. We’ll review common challenges in addressing the stigma surrounding mental health conditions, learn how staff can appropriately assess mental health (without becoming a licensed therapist!), and understand how community resources enhance our ability to provide information and referrals.

Time: 11:30 am (Awards begin at 12:15 pm)
Room: Symphony Ballroom

Presenter(s): Hal Baker, Michael Decosimo, Nick Decosimo
Time: 1:45 pm
Room: Blackbird Studio A

This presentation features a brief summary of the supply of residential options for individuals with intellectual disabilities from large facilities through the years culminating in a co-op model that operates in line with Supported Decision-Making and without governmental or bureaucratic involvement. You’ll learn how it is working in one community and how to replicate it.

Presenter(s): Shayla Hurst
Time: 1:45 pm
Room: Blackbird Studio B

This presentation explores the importance of creating personalized emergency kits tailored to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. Attendees will learn how to identify essential items, adapt kits for mobility, communication, sensory, and medical needs, and maintain accessibility during crises. Practical tips, resources, and hands-on activities will empower participants to enhance their preparedness and resilience.

Presenter(s): Anna Lea Cothron, Nichelle Johnson, Christian Ceccotti, Simone Stewart
Time: 1:45 pm
Room: Gold

TennCare supports workforce development efforts to address workforce challenges for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in Tennessee. These workforce development programs and partnerships are supported through collaboration with multiple partners including the Dept. of Disability and Aging, Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), advocacy agencies, and other state departments. This presentation will highlight unique efforts being made on the state-level to address workforce challenges.

Presenter(s): Courtney Kelly Chapman
Time: 1:45 pm
Room: Lyric

Social Capital involves connections people create and the resulting trust, reliance, and reciprocity that comes out of those relationships. Despite its importance, only 38.8% of people with disabilities have Social Capital present in their lives. This breakout will help you understand and promote Social Capital. Attendees will leave with specific strategies to support people in establishing connections and nurturing relationships.

Presenter(s): Emily Lanchak, M.Ed.
Time: 1:45 pm
Room: Ocean Way

This session will present findings from a statewide needs assessment conducted by the Tennessee Developmental Disabilities Network. We will highlight key priorities for the next five years and discuss how this data will guide future work plans of DD Network partners. This is an important opportunity to see how the voices of the disability community are shaping state supports and resources.

Presenter(s): Torben Jensen
Time: 1:45 pm
Room: Sound Emporium A

How do local churches grow in their ability to include and serve families affected by disability? What are some of the obstacles toward successful disability ministries in churches, and what are the best steps to take if you are part of a church that wants to develop a special needs ministry? Find out in this presentation.

Presenter(s): Martie Lafferty
Time: 1:45 pm
Room: Sound Emporium B

Landlords must treat people with disabilities equally. They can’t say, “People with disabilities cannot live here.” A landlord also can’t refuse to rent to someone because they use a service animal or emotional support animal. Landlords must make reasonable changes that are needed due to a person’s disability. With these examples in mind, let’s talk more about your right to equality in housing during this presentation.

Presenter(s): Robert Goff
Time: 1:45 pm
Room: Southern Ground A

This session will describe how the Tennessee Department of Health built a multi-agency workgroup to develop and improve functional- and access-needs support resources to be used in emergency preparedness and response activities, documents, and events. Examples of practical applications will be included.

Presenter(s): Oscar Gonzalez, Angelica Deaton
Time: 1:45 pm
Room: Southern Ground B

This session highlights the Spanish Language Outreach Project, designed to bridge gaps in knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through cultural competency and language accessibility. Participants will explore strategies for engaging Spanish-speaking individuals, families, and service providers by addressing barriers and fostering knowledge-sharing within the disability community. 

Presenter(s): Alli Beth Freeman, Denetris Grandberry, Judy Pate
Time: 3:00 pm
Room: Blackbird Studio A

Attendees will get a brief history of Employment First and the benefits of working in competitive, integrated employment. An interactive activity that includes mock interviews and identifying interests related to employment skills will follow.

Presenter(s): Jay Camperlino, Brea Dormaier, Rachael Goddard, Carly Bencivenga
Time: 3:00 pm
Room: Blackbird Studio B

We explore the significant impact of learned dependence on an individual’s ability to achieve independence across key areas of life, specifically within the framework of the LifeCourse Domain Taxonomy. The focus is on the community living domain (but it touches on Employment, Spirituality and fostering overall independence). Summarizing the Daily Living and Employment section, we highlight the MAPs program’s successes in promoting self-management and decision-making through skills training and innovative use of technology. To wrap up, we identify common barriers to independence and propose strategies for overcoming these obstacles. We conclude with a call to action, urging attendees to consider implementing alternative support models in their own practices. 

Presenter(s): John Shouse, Matt Rehbein
Time: 3:00 pm
Room: Gold

Fathers of individuals with IDD are a quite diverse group. Yet, they all have one thing in common in being “dad” to sons or daughters with unique and challenging needs. Moms often find avenues for peer support and encouragement more readily than fathers, so this session looks at the “Mastermind” method of building community for all men.

Presenter(s): Casey Davis, Amy Correia
Time: 3:00 pm
Room: Lyric

This Autistic-led session will empower Autistic people navigating the job market. We’ll explore strategies for navigating employment barriers and decoding the interview process; highlight unique strengths Autistic people bring to professional environments; and discuss workplace self-advocacy. Embracing our Autistic identity and reframing our self-understanding through neuro-affirming frameworks is key to self-advocacy, personal development, and our overall well-being when attaining fulfilling employment.

Presenter(s): Courtney Johnson
Time: 3:00 pm
Room: Ocean Way

Many people with disabilities rely on direct support professionals in their daily lives, including some individuals who use AAC. This presentation discusses personal experiences as an AAC user receiving home and community-based services — with an emphasis on the importance of access to communication for ensuring an individual’s safety and autonomy.

Presenter(s): Donna Goodaker, Debby Throckmorton, Melissa Humphries, Lauren Morris
Time: 3:00 pm
Room: Sound Emporium A

This panel, primarily of interest to Nashville-area residents, will focus on the arts community and its benefit to all citizens — including those with ID/DD. From channeling your inner crafter to exploring your inner comedian, dancer and actor, participating in the arts has benefits you may not have thought of! Not only fun, but this can boost communication, self-confidence and socialization.

Presenter(s): Susan S. Lafferty
Time: 3:00 pm
Room: Sound Emporium B

Let’s talk about your money. How can you make sure you have enough money for everything you need and some things you want? What’s the deal with credit cards? Do you ever get calls from people saying you owe them money? What do you do? We’ll talk about all this and more. 

Presenter(s): Simone Stewart, M.Ed., CCSP, FCD-I
Time: 3:00 pm
Room: Southern Ground A

Join us for a fun and exciting session just for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and caregivers who want to grow in their careers. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn important strategies to build a strong base for a career in direct care. Through interactive activities and group discussions, you’ll create a personal career plan that shows your next steps and helps you move up. You’ll leave with useful tools and ideas that can help you advance in your career and make a real difference in your work. This is your chance to set a clear path for success and growth in the direct care field.

Presenter(s): Kasey Hagood
Time: 3:00 pm
Room: Southern Ground B

The participant will learn the differences between Medicaid, Traditional Medicare, and Medicare Advantage. Participants will learn about resources available to help them make informed decisions about their health care.

Time: 7:00 am
Room: Symphony Ballroom

Presenter(s): Friends Life Community
Time: 8:00 am
Room: Symphony Ballroom

Friends Life Community presents Big Power in Me. The creators of this devised theatre production, artists with disabilities, lead the audience through an authentic, vulnerable journey of self-discovery and acceptance. As the audience leans into these personal stories, they quickly realize that the experience is not unique to the performers, they have crafted an experience that speaks the universal language of the human experience. The collaboration of artistic modalities, including dance, improvisation, visual arts, sounding, film, and storytelling will speak to each individual through multiple senses and is supported from over ten local organizations. Audience members will experience the push and pull of competing powers, both internal and external, and will leave the theatre with a greater sense of self and more in tune with the threads of power that tie us all together.

Presenter(s): Jeremy Norden-Paul
Time: 9:15 am
Room: Symphony Ballroom

During this session, the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) will give an overview of its new Housing Innovation Program, which is focused on increasing housing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and older adults. The session will also highlight a new partnership with a disability-forward housing organization called The Kelsey and the community-driven process of creating a 5-year strategic plan for affordable, inclusive community housing in Tennessee. The main feature of the session will be a moderated discussion with a panel of experts about their personal and professional experiences with housing, the foremost challenges people with I/DD and older adults are facing, and opportunities for change and innovation in the housing space.

Presenter(s): Amy Willoughby Bryant
Time: 10:15 am
Room: Blackbird Studio A

This will be a best practices session for conservatorships when they are necessary. This session will detail how Tennessee has implemented limited conservatorships. This allows the judges to put the least restrictive authorities in place and maintain the most autonomy for the person with a disability. This session will also detail how states can develop programs of oversight of conservators by detailing how conservatorship management is done in Tennessee. A blueprint will be provided for welfare and financial review of the fiduciary.

Presenter(s): Kaleena Smith, Chrissy Hood
Time: 10:15 am
Room: Blackbird Studio B

A supportive learning environment is necessary for the development of AAC skills. Generally, this begins in a formal therapy setting; however, the use of AAC in natural environments is also critical to success with AAC. This presentation will cover an AAC user’s journey from the therapy room to the community and provide examples of resources for community-based options in Middle Tennessee.

Presenter(s): Brian F. Geiger
Time: 10:15 am
Room: Gold

Teens and young adults with disabilities increasingly rely on technology for time management, communication, shopping and banking, travel, life-skills training, and clinical support. There are multiple risks, including misinformation, cyberbullying, inappropriate content, fraud and financial theft, and exploitation. This presentation will feature useful resources to protect individuals and families, including a family technology planner and free toolkits from trusted sources.

Presenter(s): Penny Johnson, Breanna Atwell
Time: 10:15 am
Room: Lyric

Each day a person makes up to 35,000 decisions. Many times, people with disabilities lose their right to make some or most decisions about their life. In this session attendees will learn about decision-making options in Tennessee, how to use them in the least restrictive manner to uphold decision-making autonomy, and how to incorporate tools and resources for greater support. 

Presenter(s): Rion Humphries, Josh Humphries
Time: 10:15 am
Room: Ocean Way

Join Rion and Josh Humphries as they share their experience navigating the complexities of caregiving within a marriage. This session highlights the often-overlooked transition to adulthood for people with disabilities, stressing the need for better support and access to caregivers, particularly for working individuals. Attendees will gain insights into how people with disabilities can live full, independent lives with the right care.

Presenter(s): Megan Hart, April Meredith
Time: 10:15 am
Room: Sound Emporium A

All people have the right to live, love, work, play, and pursue their life aspirations. Join us for this fun, interactive session to learn how TN Disability Pathfinder can catapult you in the right direction by connecting you to resources available to support you. We will walk you through scenarios and then prepare you to choose your own adventure! 

Presenter(s): Jordan Brooks
Time: 10:15 am
Room: Sound Emporium B

Self-determination is an evidence-based practice that has been proven to improve the life outcomes of our disabled students. However, research has shown that implementation is scarce and not well understood by practitioners. This talk discusses the history of self-determination and how this can guide the development of solutions to these limitations regarding the implementation of principles from the neurodiversity paradigm.

Presenter(s): Tracy Duncan, Amy Ferrell, Kelly Bandas, Chrissy Davis, M. Ed., M.A.
Time: 10:15 am
Room: Southern Ground A

A panel of experts will provide a description of LEAD-K. This will feature a brief review of evidenced-based peer-reviewed research, varied community perspectives, and family/consumer experiences with language equality and acquisition for dDeaf* children. Current advocacy efforts in Tennessee undertaken by a Grassroots Stakeholder Group will be outlined. *dDeaf = Deafblind, hard of hearing, unilateral, single-sided deafness, Deaf, CAP, Auditory Neuropathy, aphasic, atresia, etc.

Presenter(s): Penny Pirtle, John Camperlino
Time: 10:15 am
Room: Southern Ground B

Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities by providing tools that promote independence in all aspects of life. It enables individuals to perform daily tasks, engage in social interactions, and manage their health, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. This empowerment leads to greater self-sufficiency, improved quality of life, and reduced reliance on caregivers. Join UnitedHealthcare in a presentation on how technology can assist in daily life, the community and at work.

Presenter(s): Glenda M. Bond, Karen M. Downer, Donald Redden, Doria Panvini
Time: 11:30 am
Room: Blackbird Studio A

This panel discussion addresses the decision-making involved at the end-of-life state. Based on their own experiences, each panel member discusses practical considerations that should be accomplished well in advance. What if the primary advocate or caretaker predeceases the individual with IDD? Panelists also discuss involving direct and circle of support individuals in this important process as well as coping with grief.

Presenter(s): Jen Vogus
Time: 11:30 am
Room: Blackbird Studio B

AbleVoices amplifies the voices of people with disabilities through the powerful medium of photography, building more inclusive communities. Founder Jen Vogus illustrates how the organization evolved from a focus on self-expression to creativity and social engagement through the Photography Club. Jen also breaks down the newest initiative, the AbleVoices Photo Academy work-based learning program, and the hiring of individuals with disabilities.

Presenter(s): Justine Hrvatin, Leah Burgess, Jessica Awsumb
Time: 11:30 am
Room: Gold

This presentation will explore an employment planning tool to help support students with disabilities to find paid employment. We will explore how when we work together to help students find employment in high school, future job outcomes can improve. We will share two success stories, the employment planning tool, and resources to help connect students to employment.

Presenter(s): Tonya Bowman
Time: 11:30 am
Room: Lyric

This is a powerful and thought-provoking training that delves into the lived experiences of people with disabilities, highlighting the intersectionality of their identities and the multiple forms of marginalization they navigate. This session aims to explore how various aspects of identity — including race, gender, ability, sexuality, and class — intersect to create unique and complex experiences of discrimination and resilience. Through personal stories and facilitated discussions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how racism, ableism, and other forms of oppression combine to shape the lives of individuals with disabilities. The training emphasizes how these intersecting identities affect access to healthcare, education, employment, public services, and social acceptance, and how systemic barriers often exacerbate the challenges faced by those with disabilities who are also marginalized by other aspects of their identity. The session encourages participants to reflect on their own biases and experiences, while offering tools and strategies to promote inclusivity, dismantle systems of oppression, and create spaces that respect the dignity and rights of all individuals.

Presenter(s): Chelsea K. Rick, DO, MPH
Time: 11:30 am
Room: Ocean Way

This presentation will introduce the concept of frailty as a syndrome distinct from disability, multimorbidity, or normal aging and examine the prevalence across HCBS populations. We will discuss the dynamic progression one can experience along a fitness to frailty continuum, present targeted interventions to prolong decline, and identify the impact of long-term services and supports on one’s frailty status.

Presenter(s): Pam Walston, Brenda Vroon
Time: 11:30 am
Room: Sound Emporium A

This hour-long training provides an excellent foundation for helping individuals with special needs be safer in, on and around water. It offers practical advice on how caregivers can help their swimmers get the most from a swim lesson and educates participants about the dangers specific to swimmers in the community and strategies for increasing their water safety skills.

Presenter(s): Lacey Lyons
Time: 11:30 am
Room: Sound Emporium B

State-level participation in self-advocacy varies by location. It ranged from a “high of 45%” to “a low of 12%” among people with disabilities in 2018, according to National Core Indicators. But people with disabilities who took part in self-advocacy were more likely to be involved in important decisions like choosing where to live, how to budget, and how to spend their free time than those who did not. Tennessee Health Care Campaign, a 35-year-old healthcare advocacy organization, has a history of grassroots advocacy in Tennessee. Self-advocate Lacey Lyons works for THCC as its communications coordinator and seeks to promote the inclusion of stories of people with disabilities in the story databases she compiles for THCC.

Presenter(s): Ashley Edwards Hill, Robert Goff
Time: 11:30 am
Room: Southern Ground A

“If you’re looking for friends when you need them…it’s too late,” once said Mark Twain. When we think about emergency preparedness and response, we often don’t think about community engagement before a disaster. But that’s changing. Tennessee is flipping the way it approaches emergency preparedness by creating opportunities for individuals with varied access and functional needs to create resources, tools, and policy for communities and emergency responders. Learn more about how to be part of that process.

Presenter(s): Crystal Hicks, Abbigayle Hicks
Time: 11:30 am
Room: Southern Ground B

Discover Emory Valley Center’s innovative Behavioral Health Programs designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This session highlights therapy services, psychosocial rehabilitation, enabling technology, and impactful community partnerships that promote growth, independence, and safety. Join us to learn about the program’s outcomes and explore how collaboration drives positive change and inclusion.

Time: 12:30 pm
Room: Symphony Ballroom