Vermont APSE

Association of People Supporting Employment First

Burlington, VT 05405
ph: 802-656-1345

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April 16, 2013

Sheraton Conference Center

Burlington, VT

Vermont APSE and the University of Vermont-Center on Disability & Community Inclusion present:

Opening Doors to

College & Careers

Opportunities for people with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities are constantly expanding to include University/College, Vocational Professional Development, Customized Employment, & Self-Employment. Join us for a day of exciting presentations on inclusive community options!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (detailed descriptions below)

8:00-9:00 Registration and Coffee Social
9:00-9:30 Welcome & Overview
9:30-10:30 Keynote Address: Denise Bissonnette
10:45-12:00 Concurrent Sessions
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:15-2:30 Concurrent Sessions
2:45-4:00 Concurrent Sessions
4:00-4:30 Closing

REGISTRATION FEES (Includes Lunch)

Pre-Conference Only (April 15): $125.00
Conference Only (April 16): $100.00
Pre-Conference AND Conference: $200.00

Self-Advocate, Assistant, or Student (April 16): $50.00
Vendor Table (April 16): $50.00
Vendor Table w/Meal Pass (April 16): $100.00
10% Discount off total for APSE Members (Join APSE Now!)

Click HERE to Register

Keynote Speaker:

Denise Bissonnette is an internationally renowned writer, trainer, and keynote speaker. She has inspired people and organizations throughout North America to look beyond traditional concepts of job development and to craft livelihoods rooted in the individual genius of each person. She has authored several publications on creative job development, state of the art job search techniques, the cultivation of the human spirit, and how to “shine” on the job. Her book Beyond Traditional Job Development: The Art of Creating Opportunity is considered the definitive text in employment programs and university classrooms throughout North America.

Denise inspires thousands of employment and training professionals each month through her popular and thought-provoking True Livelihood Newsletter in which she offers creative and refreshing perspectives and tools on everything from working with individual with barriers, diversity, and employee engagement, to everyday leadership, personal effectiveness and career development. In her unique and characteristic style, Denise brings together her talents as poet, writer, storyteller, teacher and career developer.

Keynote Address: Beyond Barriers to Passion and Possibility

In this dynamic keynote Denise will challenge us to stretch our thinking, question our assumptions, and turn our traditional way of looking at ourselves, our students, and the world on its head! Drawing on her experiences and deep reservoir of work assisting individuals from marginalized populations to find their rightful place in the work world, Denise will present practical tips for applying “possibility thinking” to our work with individuals with disabilities. By equipping us with new questions and a fresh perspective, we will be inspired to move beyond barriers in our thinking about what we have to offer the work world and what the world of work has to offer them! This session offers a wonderful mix of the practical and the philosophical, offering a big picture view with small, doable ways to begin and continue one’s journey towards passion and possibility in the world of work.

10:45-12:00 CONCURRENT SESSIONS A:

Cultivating the Human Spirit: Motivating Change and Moving through Transition: Denise Bissonnette

In this dynamic workshop, Denise will present a unique and inspiring framework around the critical and often elusive issues of motivation and self-esteem, as they relate to transition and making positive changes in our lives. Based on her compelling model of the human spirit, she will lay out practical tools and ideas for strengthening courage, affirming belief and fostering hope in those who feel lost, discouraged, or overwhelmed with the path before them. Although, the tools provided in this workshop are especially helpful in the realm of employment, they can be tailored for use with any kind of change. (Beware – participants in this session will put Denise’s model to the test by examining changes and transitions in their own lives!)

Research & Evaluation Outcomes in Post Secondary Education: Where's the Beef? Debra Hart, Institute on Community Inclusion, UMASS Boston, David Merves, Evergreen Counsulting Services, Vermont
Susan Ryan, Think College, University of Vermont, UVM Participatory Action Research Students (TBA), Perry LaRoque, Think College, Johnson State College

This session will present the state-of-the-state in terms of research and evaluation of the effectiveness of post secondary education for people with intellectual disabilities in the U.S. in general and at UVM and JSC specifically. Debra Hart from UMASS Boston will share research and evaluation results from 27 model post secondary higher education programs in the United States. How effective is PSE? What are the benefits and challenges? Specific research and evaluation results will be shared from the UVM and the JSC Think College programs. Finally, an innovative participatory action research course at UVM will be described. Students with and without disabilities will share the research process they engaged in and some emerging results from their research projects.

Universal Design for Learning [UDL] in Internships and Employment Training: Lawrence G. Shelton, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, UVM

Universal Design for Learning [UDL] is an approach to designing instruction that takes into account the wide variety of potential learners. The goal of UDL is to guide teachers in choosing ways of presenting information and engaging learners to make it likely that students can comprehend and use the information. Done well, UDL often makes it unnecessary to use accommodations for students with special needs. The session will include a brief introduction to UDL and then illustrate and discuss how it can be used effectively in internship and employment training.

Global Campuses Foundation: Jim Tewksbury, Sheryl Tewksbury, Andreas John, Global Campuses Foundation

Acknowledging differing abilities in all learners, a Global Campus reorients traditional conceptual models of learning to a broader and more inclusive understanding of the learning experience. A key curriculum strategy of Global Campus Foundation is to use the process of developing a campus as a tool for learning. Participants demonstrate to themselves and to others, personal and professional growth as they influence the design of campus and program offerings. Individuals can participate as teaching faculty, as student learners, or as campus staff.

1:15-2:30 CONCURRENT SESSIONS B:

Creative Tools for Uncovering Assets, Strengths, and Work Preferences (Part One): Denise Bissonnette

In this two-part workshop Denise will share some of her favorite tools and games from her popular curriculum, “Cultivating True Livelihood”. Included in the tools are ways to uncover the gifts and strengths of those who have never worked, ideas for identifying a person’s work preferences and key values, and a way to get around what appears as “unrealistic expectations” when it comes to setting vocational goals. The tools presented in this workshop can be used one-on-one or in group or classroom settings.

Student Portfolio Presentations Bryan Dague, Think College Vermont @UVM/CDCI Project Coordinator; Anthony Miller, Johnson State College Student; Bernard Parrott, UVM Continuing Education Student; Jon Fitzgerald, Johnson State College Student; Nicole Villemaire, UVM Continuing Education Student; Brandon Zick, Johnson State College Student

Think College Vermont is a new and innovative college program for students with intellectual disabilities at the University of Vermont and Johnson State College. Join our pioneering student cohort as they highlight their learning and experience as they complete their programs.

Explore Vermont's College Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Dr. Susan Ryan, Project Director for UVM's Think College Vermont Program; Jen Mitchell, Senior Manager for the Howard Center's SUCCEED Program; Andreas John, Director of Programs & Academic Coordinator for Global Campuses Foundation, Lauren Merritt, Assistant Director for College Steps, and Dr. Perry LaRoque, Professor and Project Director for Johnson State College's Think College Vermont Program

This panel of providers from various programs and colleges throughout Vermont will share the academic, social, employment, and independent-living aspects offered to students. Participants will understand the various choices students with intellectual disabilities can explore when they decide to attend college in Vermont.

Exploring the Invisible Disability as it Relates to Employment & Education Abby Levinsohn, The Wellness Co-op, Felicia Sullivan, Pathways Vermont, Gwen Magnant

The Invisible Disability: panel members will address the challenges Mental Health can present in general, and as it relates to barriers faced within employment and education. Panel members include the Wellness Co-op and Pathways Vermont

The Wellness Co-Op is a peer community drop-in center in downtown Burlington. Abby Levinsohn will discuss her role as the Peer Employment Specialist and opportunities for building community and providing mutual support in a welcoming space.

Pathways Vermont is an agency focused on provision of Housing First and Harm Reduction throughout the state of Vermont. Felicia Sullivan will discuss her role with Pathways Vermont and services provided.

2:45-4:00 CONCURRENT SESSIONS C:

Creative Tools for Uncovering Assets, Strengths, and Work Preferences (Part Two): Denise Bissonnette

Tech Tools APPlied at Think College Vermont Kiersten Hallquist, University of Vermont Think College Vermont @UVM Program Manager; Nicole Villemaire, UVM Continuing Education Student; Brian Vedder, UVM Undergraduate and UVMentor

Think College Vermont Program Manager, Kiersten Hallquist, will present on how she uses iCalendar and Facebook as a program management tool. Moreover, co-presenting students will discuss how the iPad helps them succeed in a post-secondary setting and helps build essential communication and independent-living skills. Whether you have been wondering what these iToys are, or know all of the benefits of iOS 6, this session will prove fun and useful for all! Bring your iPad if you have one!

Film Screening: "I am in here." A View of My Daily Life with Good Suggestions from my Intelligent Mind Mark Utter and Emily Anderson, VSA Vermont

The film, I am in Here, humorously reveals Mark’s unique observations of our world. The premise is a typical day in his life filled with communication barriers, social obstacles and Mark’s wry observations as he negotiates them. Mark is touring the film to promote access to alternative forms of communication for others trapped in their heads like he once was. Question and answer period after film.

Students Helping Students: Think College Vermont @UVM/CDCI's Peer-Mentor Support Program Deborah Baker-Moody - Academic Coordinator, Think College Vermont @UVM/CDCI, Taylor Terry, UVM Continuing Education Student; Leah Boardman, UVM Continuing Education Student; Brittany Sirois, UVM Continuing Education Student

This session will explore the relationship between Think College students and their UVM mentors. Mentor pairs will share how Think College students are supported on campus in the areas of academic, social, employment, and independent-living skills. Participants will understand the benefits and the challenges of a student mentor program.

We’ll also have numerous Vendor and Display Tables.

Don’t miss this exciting conference!

Thank You to our Generous Sponsors!

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