Conferences

CONFERENCE THEME 

Technology influences nearly every aspect of our lives! It is embedded in today’s society in almost every interaction. State I/DD agencies are learning about the benefits of incorporating technologies and remote supports into everyday service and support provision for people with I/DD through research and development. As states continue to improve systems to support home and community-based services, an opportunity also arises to embrace new and emerging technologies to promote independence and inclusive lives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The conference will provide opportunities to:

• Learn about innovative technology strategies and approaches
• Learn from state colleagues about funding technology in home and community-based services
• Learn about state initiatives to use technology to improve people’s quality of life, and increase independence and personal freedom.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
We are delighted to introduce our opening keynote speaker:

Dr. Meredith Ringel Morris
Principal Researcher and Research Manager at Microsoft Research

Ms. Ringel Morris is also an affiliate professor at the University of Washington in The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering and in The Information School. Dr. Morris leads Microsoft Research’s Ability team, which conducts research in HCI and AI with the goal of developing innovative technologies that extend the capabilities of and enhance quality of life for people with disabilities. She is an internationally recognized expert in human-computer interaction, and has conducted foundational research in several areas including gesture design, social search, and accessibility. She has served as technical program chair of the ACM CHI, CSCW, ASSETS, and Interactive Tabletops and Surfaces conferences. Dr. Morris is a member of the TOCHI editorial board, and is a past member of the CHI and CSCW steering committees. She has been recognized as one of Technology Review’s "35 under 35" for her work on collaborative web search, and was named an ACM Distinguished Scientist for her contributions to HCI research. She is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed research articles, many of which have been recognized with best paper awards; her publications are available at aka.ms/merrie. 

CONFERENCE PRESENTERS 

Marian Frattarola-Saulino
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Values in Action

Gillian Maguire (CBRE)
Program Manager
Microsoft RE&F’s Supported Employment Program

Brian Collins (REANDF)
Microsoft’s
Workplace Employee Engagement
Supported Employment and Change Management Program

Jennifer Tennican
Director / Producer
Hearts of Glass - A Vertical Farm Takes Root in Wyoming

Daniel K. Davies
Founder & President
AbleLink Smart Living Technologies

Dr. Wendy Parent-Johnson
Executive Director
Sonoran UCEDD 
Professor, Department of Family & Community Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Arizona

Julie Christenson, LMSW, Ph.D.
Director of Policy and Advocacy
Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)

Emily Shea Tanis Ph.D.
Acting Executive Director
Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities
University of Colorado

Marc J. Tassé
Director
Ohio State University Nisonger Center