California Developmental Disabilities Council Meeting

March 21, 2012

What is TASH?• Founded in 1975 with the intent to transform schools so that

children with significant disabilities were fully included with their peers

• International membership-based advocacy organization

• Members include people with disabilities, family members, educators, service providers, policy-makers, agencies and many others

• Mission: Promote the full inclusion and participation of children and adults with significant disabilities in every aspect of their community, and to eliminate the social injustices that diminish human rights.

5 Major Areas of Emphasis through our National Agenda

Employment

Education

Community Living

People of Color

Human Rights

Key Strategies

Information Dissemination

Training (TASH Conference, Webinars)

Legislation

Policy and Partnerships

TASH’s 37th Annual National ConferenceNovember 28 – December 1, 2012

Westin Long Beach

“Because that’s the way it’s always been done”

or “because that’s best practice”

are not good enough for me!

We need the answers to be questioned

I’m not a prepackaged deal.- Megan Jones

- Anticipated 1200 or more participants from all over the world

- Features nearly 200 different concurrent, poster and keynote presentations

- Events include: Self-Advocacy Forum, Film Strand, in-depth training workshops, social gatherings

- To learn more, visit www.tash.org/2012TASH

Kate Gainer at 2011 TASH Conference

Five Ways You Can Help1. Submit a proposal to present by April 5, 20122. Tell your fellow advocates, friends and colleagues about

the conference through email, Facebook, Twitter, your blog and more

3. Join our Local Host Committee and help plan events that give the conference local flavor

4. As a DD Council, donate funds to support the attendance of local people with disabilities and their families at the conference or consider sponsoring a specific event

5. Volunteer on-site at the TASH Conference