Audri Sandoval Gomez presenting on stage at the 2020 Summit on DisAbility
2021 Summit on DisAbility and Inclusion

» 2021 Summit on DisAbility and Inclusion

Thompson Policy Institute on DisAbility proudly presented the 2021 Summit on DisAbility and Inclusion virtually on August 11, 2021.  

The recordings of each session from the Summit, along with the padlets containing information from the session, can be accessed below. 

Opening Session:

Headshot of Megan BomgaarsKeynote Address
 Megan Bomgaars

Megan, a well-known self-advocate with Down Syndrome, presented the keynote address "Don't Limit Me" to open the 2021 Summit on DisAbility and Inclusion. Megan is an artist, entrepreneur, published author, college student, and lead on the critically acclaimed show Born this Way on A&E.

 

 

 

 

 

Excellence in Disability Award Presented toSupporting Inclusive Practices logo
Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP)

The Excellence in Disability Award criteria focuses on dedication toward improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The Supporting Inclusive Practices' mission to increase inclusion of students with disabilities in general education settings through focusing on policy, practice, and cohesive leadership has improved the educational outcomes and opportunities for all students in California.

 

Opening Recording: Welcome / Keynote Address / Excellence in Disability Award Presentation / Mindfulness Break 

Four Breakout Sessions:

Orange County Office of Education logoPK - 12 Practice

Title: Using a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) to Build Inclusive Practices

Presented by: ​Rhonda Marriott, ​Manager, Learning Supports, Orange County Department of Education and Pamela Tupy, Coordinator, Learning Supports, Orange County Department of Education
Moderator: Audri Gomez, Ph.D., Associate Director, TPI

During this session, participants explored MTSS in the context of what has been accomplished through the California MTSS grant, where we are now in supporting schools and districts with sustaining implementation, and where we are going in the future to deepen systemic implementation of MTSS to support all learners in PreK-12 grade. The session focused on supporting the implementation of inclusive practices, resources for developing co-teaching supports, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies were explored.  

PK - 12 Practice Session Recording

PK - 12 Practice Padlet

CalEPIC logoTeacher Preparation

Title: Equity and Inclusion Begin with Teacher Preparation

Presenters: Marquita Grenot-Scheyer, Ph.D., Assistant Vice Chancellor, Educator Preparation and Public School Programs and CSU Center for Transforming Educator Preparation Programs (CTEPP); Meghan Cosier, Ph.D., Director, TPI and CalEPIC; Charlotte Achieng-Evensen, Ph.D., TPI and CalEPIC; additional presenters to be announced.

This session focused on teacher preparation and the two new Educator Preparation Centers in California: The California State University, CSU Center for Transforming Educator Preparation Programs (CTEPP) and California Educator Preparation Innovation Collaborative (CalEPIC). Educators and teacher education faculty learned about resources and opportunities for inclusive teacher preparation. Future professional learning opportunities were shared during the session.

Teacher Preparation Session Recording

Teacher Preparation Session Padlet

FAST logo

Families, Agencies, and Schools Together (FAST)

Title: Families, Agencies, Schools Together: Supporting Collaborative Relationships

Presenters: Peter Chung, M.D., Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics and Medical Director at Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at UCI; J. Thomas Megerian, M.D., Pediatric Neurologist and Clinical Director at the Thompson Autism Center at CHOC; Elissa Green Kaustinen, MA, Director FAST@CHOC; Jeanne Anne Carriere, Ph.D., Director FAST@UCI

The FAST session highlighted the partnerships between TPI, the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at UCI, and the Thompson Autism Center at CHOC. The collaboration between schools and medical providers that FAST facilitates enables families to understand and access resources and interventions that they are entitled to. The unique services that FAST provides were presented during the strand by the medical directors at the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at UCI and the Thompson Center for Autism at CHOC, along with the directors of the FAST@UCI and FAST@CHOC programs. This session provided a rare opportunity to have experts in the field together in one place. 

FAST Services Session Recording

FAST Services Session Padlet

Transition Services

Orange County Local Partnership Agreement logo

Title: High Quality Transition Services: Birth Through Life-Long Learning

Presenters: Richard Rosenberg, Ph.D. and Linda O'Neal, M.A.
Panelists: Self-Advocates - Megan Bomgaars and Carla Sramek; Parents - Kris Bomgaars and Hilda Sramek

The Transition Services session focused on person-centered planning. Specifically, the session featured an overview of transition planning best practices and provided insight into entrepreneurship businesses. 

Transition Services Session Recording

Transition Services Session Padlet

Closing Session:

Megan and Kris Bomgaars are pictured in formal attire at an eventExpert Q & A Panel

Presenters: Arturo Cazares, Regional Center of Orange County; Kristin Brooks, Supporting Inclusive Practices; Megan Bomgaars, Self-Advocate; Kris Bomgaars, Parent and Former Teacher.

An expert panel presented closing thoughts and answered questions from attendees. 

 

 

 Closing Session Recording: Mindfulness Break / Expert Panel Q & A / Closing Remarks

 

Cover of the Research, Practice, and Impact Report 2021

Download the

2021 Research, Practice, and Impact Report