Please RSVP by March 14th!

REGISTER

Join the Texas Center for Disability Studies (TCDS) as we celebrate 35 years of advancing research, education, practice, and policy. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and continuing our journey toward inclusivity and empowerment for all!

This event offers two different session times where you can drop-in at your convenience and learn about specific TCDS projects.  

1st Session: 10:00AM - 12:00PM

2nd Session: 12:00PM - 2:00PM

1st Session Itinerary 

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Welcome • TCDS Overview • Info Booths • Refreshments

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP) Overview

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM: E4Texas Overview

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Research Overview: ADDM • MILES • ASPEN • EMPOWER • IDEAL • SOLVE • WITH 

10:00 - 10:30 AM: Welcome

Learn about the history of TCDS, visit information booths for helpful resources and enjoy light refreshments. Don't forget to pick up a raffle ticket for a prize drawing before noon!

10:30 - 11:00 AM: Texas Technology Access (TTAP) Program Overview 

TTAP provides assistive technology (AT), device loans, demonstration centers, recycle/reuse programs, and financing for assistive technology. They also provide AT training, information and assistance, public awareness, technical assistance, and custom, technology related activities. 

11:00 - 11:30 AM: E4Texas Program Overview

E4Texas is an inclusive, post-secondary program at the University of Texas at Austin. This employment focused program combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience to help students gain professional and independent living skills, become self-determined, and pursue gainful employment.

11:30 - 12:00 PM: Research Overview 

Learn about various TCDS research projects:

Texas Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (TX-ADDM)

TX-ADDM engages with education and health sites throughout Bexar County to capture cases of autism and developmental disabilities within education and medical records. This team works with community organizations, including the Act Early Ambassadors, and other providers to provide training, disseminate data and surveillance outcomes, and share resources on early autism and developmental screening. 

Mapping the Interactions of Language and Early Motor Skills in Down Syndrome (MILES)

The MILES project plans to recruit 36 infants with DS (age 6 months to 18 months) and 36 typically developing infants (age 6 months to 18 months). The goal is to measure language, communication, motor skills, and physical activity to better understand how these skills develop and interact with each other over time. This research will provide critical data on the early development of racially/ethnically diverse infants with DS to inform intervention strategies and supports.

ASD Screening and Parent Engagement Program (ASPEN)

The ASPEN project is a parent-mediated intervention program that trains parents to be the primary interventionists for their child. It focuses on naturalistic, developmental, behavioral strategies that are easy to use in the child's natural environment and are aligned within developmental and behavioral milestones.

Evaluation and Measurement of Healthcare Transition Preparedness, Opportunities, and Wellness in Racially/ethnically Diverse Youth with IDD (EMPOWER)

The EMPOWER project works with self-advocates, caregivers, and other stakeholders to identify gaps in knowledge, skills, and the overall healthcare transition readiness of racially and minoritized youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers. 

Identifying and Distinguishing Early Indicators of Autism in Latino Children (IDEAL)

The current project will identify and measure the early developmental trajectories of language and communication skills of Latino children and assess and characterize the emergence of autism symptoms among Latino children with a high and low likelihood of autism.

Solution Focused Brief Therapy with Autistic Adults (SOLVE)

The SOLVE project works to develop a solution focused brief therapy protocol for autistic adults, trains therapists to administer this protocol, and conduct a larger efficacy study to show evidence of its effectiveness. 

Weaving Inclusion Together in Research Hub (WITH)

WITH is a research advisory committee consisting of community members, autistic adults, adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), and family members of individuals with autism or IDD. They provide feedback on research and share their insights to researchers in the field of IDD and autism.

2nd Session Itinerary 

Please see expanded Itinerary 1 for specific details and descriptions.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Welcome • TCDS Overview • Info Booths • Refreshments

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM: Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP) Overview

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM: E4Texas Overview

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Research Overview: ADDM • MILES • ASPEN • EMPOWER • IDEAL • SOLVE • WITH 

Please R.S.V.P. by March 14th at the link below!

REGISTER