Tuesday, October 19
9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M
Keynote: Self-Determination Strong
Self-Determination Strong! Celebrating our community, our strength, and our spirit! We can accomplish great things when we work together and support each other. Introduction by Beth Swedeen, Executive Director, Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
WHAT DO THESE ADVOCATES HAVE IN COMMON?
Sydney Badeau
Nathan Alarie
Stefanie Primm
Deloris Sallis
Diego Becerra
Julie Blasky
Ashley Mathy
Many Essential Workers
Elsa Diaz-Bautista
Cindy Bentley
Marquis Garner
They are all Strong Advocates
It is true what they say; “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. We have seen this in actions over this past year. We have stayed connected and we have supported each other. Hear how members of our community have worked to keep people connected, provide resources, shared their talents, and brought a smile and a glimmer of hope to us all. Hear how members of our community have worked to keep people connected, provided resources, shared their talents, and brought a smile and a glimmer of hope to us all.
We are Strong! We are *Resilient(tough)!
We are Self-Determined!
Keynote Speakers
Nathan Alarie is a young man from Verona, WI. He works at a local grocery store and is very active in Special Olympics Bowling, Basketball and Track and Field. Sports are his life and his favorite teams are the Badgers, Brewers and Bears. Nathan has been part of LOV Inc. since 2014, but began hosting Virtual Distractions in 2020, including Sports Talks, Simpsons Nights, Trivia Nights and he DJed a virtual Halloween Dance Party.
Sydney Badeau is a determined self-advocate who is involved in many advocacy movements. She is currently serving as the President of Youth Leadership Forum Board, on WI-BPDD Board, and member of The Arc of the United States National Council of Self-Advocates.
Diego Becerra is an 18 year old young man and currently a high school student. He volunteers at ALAS in his free time. Diego loves listening to music, has a huge movie collection and is a puzzle master!
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.
Julie Blasky is a self-advocate presently working with People First Wisconsin as an outreach advocate focusing a lot of her work on Covid- 19 awareness. She meets with many other self-advocates virtually during her weekly meetups.
Elsa Diaz-Bautista is a mother, wife, community builder, and disability rights advocate from Bayamón, Puerto Rico. She went on to earn Bachelor and Master’s degrees and become bilingual in both English and Spanish while embracing a totally different culture, which is one of her passions to this day. She is the Executive Director of ALAS (Alianza Latina Aplicando Soluciones).
Marquis Garner 41 years old; he has autism and is a Special Olympic athlete as well as an author of a book called “Have You Ever Wished You Were Someone Else?” In his book, Marquis talks about going through life living with autism, his struggles fitting in and about diversity and how to educate others about different skin tones and genetics and about exposing friends to people that look different than them..
Ashley Mathy is a well-known speaker around the state of Wisconsin advocating for people with special needs. She has been interviewed on the TV, Radio and Newspaper on multiple occasions to provide her insights on the importance of employment and education.
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Networking Break and Exhibitors Corner
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Really Good Learning Sessions 1 – 6
hide
Presenters: Wendy Maher, Pam Malin, Transition Students
Boundaries are an important part of our relationships. At work we have different boundaries than at home and in the community. How do you make friends at work? Can you date someone you work with? How do we meet people in the community? In this session we will use activities and role-play to practice setting strong boundaries and identify tools to help stay safe.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 82977126315
Session 1: Relationship Boundaries in the Workplace and the Community
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Wendy Maher, Pam Malin, Transition Students
Boundaries are an important part of our relationships. At work we have different boundaries than at home and in the community. How do you make friends at work? Can you date someone you work with? How do we meet people in the community? In this session we will use activities and role-play to practice setting strong boundaries and identify tools to help stay safe.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 82977126315
Session 2: Respite Care Certificate Program
Presenters: Tyler Engel, Kim Whitmore
Recruiting and training reliable caregivers is a challenge for people who need respite providers. If training courses are available, they are often developed by groups with limited direct contact with caregivers and care recipients. Learn more about a certificate program that can help you provide training directly related to the actual job requirements and make it more accessible to potential respite providers. The training program is accessible for people with and without disabilities to receive a certificate as a respite worker.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Call In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 89780881733
Session 3: Strengthen Your Community Ties through Clubs and Organizations
Presenters: Mike Hipple, Sue Hipple
Are you a recent high school graduate or do you just want to get more
involved in your community? You will learn about state and local organizations that connect you to your community, identify your strengths and how to use them in your community and leave this session with a plan to make it happen.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Call in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 89780881733
Session 4: Youth Voice, Youth Choice-Supported Decision-Making
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Jordan Anderson, Will Becker, Ashley Mathy, Jennie Rojas, and Alesia Safford
The Center for Youth Voice, Youth Choice project promotes alternatives to guardianship, so that fewer youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) have legal guardians. The Wisconsin project is led by Youth Ambassadors who promote supported decision-making and other alternatives to guardianship through presentations and storytelling. Join this session to hear what our Youth Ambassadors want you to know about Supported Decision-Making.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Call In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 87086068890
Session 5: Technology First-Strategies for Increased Independence and Stronger Social Connections
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Monica Bear, Janet Estervig, Alaina Gallagher, Nathaniel Lentz, Ryan Scanlan, Stacey Wargowsky
Members of Wisconsin’s Technology First Coalition will provide an overview of the Technology First Coalition’s Guiding Principles and share examples of how technology enhances the independence and social connections of individuals with disabilities and the impact this has on their families, providers, funders and program administrators. Presenters will share engaging stories, graphics, videos, and hands-on demonstrations of how technology can enhance daily life. Whether you are newly considering how to incorporate technology into your life or wondering, “What more is out there?” this session will answer your questions and expand your possibilities.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Call in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 81536943674
Session 6: Preparing Together; Growing a Safer Community
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Molly McCormick, Burlie Williams
Participants will begin building personal preparedness kits through an
interactive trivia game and a “preparedness scavenger hunt”. The goal of the activity is to engage participants about Needs vs Wants when it comes to preparedness kits and what to do if disaster strikes. The activities will include call and response moments, as well as opportunities for Q&A.
Or Call In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 85192211955
11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch & Activities
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Be a part of our Wrap-Up Video!
Join Dan Poh from Tapioca Creations and you could be a part of our famous wrap up video! Tuesday from 11:45-12:30 – during lunch!
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Diehard Award Presentation
Diehard Awards are presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the advocacy work here in Wisconsin. A diehard is someone with a steadfast commitment to the principles of Self-Determination and goes above and beyond what’s expected and helps others along the way.
2020 Award Winners
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Really Good Learning Sessions 7 – 12
hide
Presenters: Hunter Markel, Tim Markle, and Lauren Tierney
Taking charge of your health is an important step toward becoming an adult. When you are healthy, you can go to work and school. We’ll hear the story of how a team of people can help youth with I/DD learn about how to be healthy and take charge of their healthcare. You’ll learn about when and how to get started taking charge of your healthcare.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 86081347681
Session 7: Bridging the Gap: Taking Charge of Your Health
Presenters: Hunter Markel, Tim Markle, and Lauren Tierney
Taking charge of your health is an important step toward becoming an adult. When you are healthy, you can go to work and school. We’ll hear the story of how a team of people can help youth with I/DD learn about how to be healthy and take charge of their healthcare. You’ll learn about when and how to get started taking charge of your healthcare.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 86081347681
Session 8: Gender & Sexual Orientation: Strength Through Knowledge, Growth Through Understanding
Presenters: Kristy Bridenhagen, Melissa Schoenbrodt, Lucas Smith, Brittany Wilson
Recognizing the value of healthy relationships and sexual health for all people, Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI), leaders in health education, will facilitate a conversation about Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. Understanding terminology, exploring video samples and scenarios, along with small group discussion allows participants a chance to consider their own gender and sexual orientation and discover tools and pathways for a conversation with
others. Understanding that people may change over time and that everyone is not only different, but also okay, allows us to be stronger together.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Call In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 87832426373
Session 9: From Mindfulness to Empowerment - Helping Self-Advocates to Take the Lead in Teaching Others
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Dedra Hafner, Kaethe Sigelko, Self-Advocate Panel
During the pandemic, while staying at home, young adults with intellectual disabilities felt socially isolated from their friends. They recognized they had limited choices for meaningful interactions. They decided to solve this problem by taking the lead in offering 6-week long virtual sessions to their friends on Zoom. Using their combined talents, they decided that they could teach others about their own interests such as learning another language, leading meditation sessions, and teaching others how to use technology. This session
will share how they collectively decide their roles and who take the lead. This panel will share examples of topics and provide mini demonstrations on how to be the “host”.
Or Call in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 86368320627
Session 10: Growing Stronger with Diversity
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Cindy Bentley, Felicia Clayborn, Stephen Graves
Let’s talk about diversity and how it ties into the disability community. We will address the struggles of being a minority and a person with a disability. We need to start the conversation, so the issues can be brought to the forefront. We want people to not only see us but hear us. We are all important and have contributions to make that will impact our lives. Your voice matters and you can go and make positive change to your community. This can be a model for self-determination.
Or Call In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 89774173587
Session 11: Growing Stronger Together by Staying Healthy and Active
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Sydney Badeau, Lisa Pugh
We know that even if people with disabilities want to be healthy, there are a lot of things that get in the way like limited food choices, lack of ways to get exercise and simple confusion about what is best. The Health Matters course was designed alongside people with disabilities to use lessons that make sense and take small steps toward better health. Join this session for a “taste” of The Arc Wisconsin’s virtual Health Matters course that will teach folks attending the conference how to stay healthy by eating right and exercising in their daily lives.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Call in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 87207625612
SESSION CANCELLED Session 12: Decision Making Makes Me Strong and Independent (Bilingual Session)
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Diana Becerra, Elsa Diaz-Bautista and other ALAS Families
This presentation will explain what Supported Decision-Making is, how to use it, and how and why it is an effective and legal alternative to guardianship for many people. We will share experiences and testimonies of self-advocates and families currently using Supported Decision-Making. We will facilitate a conversation with participants as we answer questions and share information about Supported Decision-Making. This will be an opportunity for participants to hear directly from self-advocates using Supported Decision-Making. This
presentation will be in Spanish with interpretation in English. All self-advocates and families presenting are from the Latino community.
SESSION WAS CANCELLED
Or Call In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 81036846981
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Networking Break and Exhibitors Corner
Enjoy a granola bar and hot cocoa sponsored by TMG
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Really Good Learning Sessions 13 – 18
hide
Presenters: Nekita Krisko, Stephenie Mlodzik, Nathan Ruffolo
Self-advocates and disability service professionals discuss relationships and the road to marriage. The topics covered include the lived experience of panelists, a review of the marriage penalties for people with disabilities, planning options, and current workarounds related to disability benefits, policy updates, action steps, and a Q&A session. Whether you are curious about this topic, want to advocate for marriage and disability rights issues, or simply want to share information and learn more, this session is for you. Join us, and let’s
have a conversation!
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 85327149334
Session 13: Stronger Together: A Candid Discussion about Relationships & Marriage
Presenters: Nekita Krisko, Stephenie Mlodzik, Nathan Ruffolo
Self-advocates and disability service professionals discuss relationships and the road to marriage. The topics covered include the lived experience of panelists, a review of the marriage penalties for people with disabilities, planning options, and current workarounds related to disability benefits, policy updates, action steps, and a Q&A session. Whether you are curious about this topic, want to advocate for marriage and disability rights issues, or simply want to share information and learn more, this session is for you. Join us, and let’s
have a conversation!
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 85327149334
SESSION CANCELLED Session 14: Writing Plans Together; Living a Life, Not a Plan
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Shannon McKinley, Becky Woods Bauknecht
This session will be a discussion of writing clear plans with someone, not for someone. Seeing the whole person; focusing on wellness, unmet needs, and creativity, with the person and their lives at the center, not others’ expectations or the plan at the center.
SESSION WAS CANCELLED
Or Call in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 86509523136
To provide a safe environment, this session will not be recorded.
Session 15: Know Your Rights
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Ginger Beuk, Sally Flaschberger, Nathaniel Lentz, Megan MacDonald, Emily Savage, Kristi Scheunemann
The Living Well grant team and self-advocate leaders will train on rights for people with disabilities. The Living Well self-advocates leaders will talk about important rights and how they use their rights in their lives. Self-advocates will also talk about the importance of allowing people to make their own choices. Caregivers, families and professionals will have the opportunity to think about how they can support the people in their lives to assert their rights and make their own choices.
Or Call In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 84962818710
Session 16: Hobbies, Health and Happiness
Presenters: Brianne Burke-Leonard, Anthony Farina, Jose Hernandez-Ruiz, Avraham Semon
Did you know that our hobbies can help us lead happier, healthier lives? Join self-advocates Avi (a tennis player), Jose (a painter) and Anthony (a digital animator) as they share how their hobbies turned into passions, and how those passions have made their lives fuller and more meaningful. Then, learn how your hobbies can open new doors to wonderful opportunities, such as expanding your community and supporting better mental and physical health. Finally, learn how you can find new hobbies and use them to improve other areas of your life. Who knew that having fun can be so useful, too? (Portions of this session will be in Spanish with English translations.)
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Call In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 88163028594
Session 17: Getting Financially Fit
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Terri Lannon, Sarah Schroeder
Take charge of your personal finances! This session will give you tools and resources that can empower you to make financial decisions and reach financial goals. Learn more about income, expenses, budgeting, saving, credit, debt, and more! .
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Call in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 83590082792
Session 18: Making Connections During a Pandemic: Online Dating Safety
Presenter: Ellen Merker
It’s always been hard for people with disabilities to find safe ways to meet potential dating partners, and the pandemic has only made that harder. Online dating can be a great way to meet people, but it comes with risks that users need to be aware of, look for, and assess. We will discuss the pros and cons of online dating, understanding how to write and read an online dating profile, what to look for in someone’s profile and their messages to decide if they are a good match or not, what information is unsafe to share online, the different types of online dating sites/apps, red flags to watch for, and if you meet someone in person how to do so safely. Participants will get handouts to help them create safety plans and consider their relationship goals. [This
session is for self-advocates ONLY. To provide a safe environment; this session will not be recorded]
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Call In: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 82284580680
Dance Party!
4:30 p.m – 5:30 p.m.
Party beads and a treat sponsored by People First Wisconsin
Put on your Dance Shoes! Steph Stringer is DJ Best Lyfe – Back by Popular Demand!
Meeting ID: 852 4451 8796
Self-Determination YouTube Channel Hang Out
7:00 p.m.
Calling all Self-Advocates:
Want to be on the Self-Determination YouTube Channel? Want to make your voice heard? Join this Zoom room and we’ll show you how. We will be recording during this meet up. Tell us about how you live a Self-Determined life and what is important to you. employment, technology, living in the community, self-advocacy, and spotlight videos – these are just some of the topics we make videos on. Make connections and share your story. Please join us.