Saturday, April 18 • 8:30 AM–6 PM (check in 7:45 AM)
Portland Airport Holiday Inn
All Born (in) Conference • Saturday, April 18, 2020
All Born (in) Master Session presented by Think Inclusive College West Coast Coalition and hosted by NW Disability Support • Adult Transition Summit: College & Career Success for All • Opening Doors to Inclusive College Options • Friday, April 17, 2020
Planning for our annual All Born (in) Conference and Master Session is underway! Please check back for more details regarding this cross-disability, best practices, educational inclusion conference that has now been preparing parents, educators, schools, and our community to successfully embrace diversity for 15 years by sharing tools and inspiring the courage to reach and teach all people!
In the meantime, we are excited to announce that disability advocate and leader, Andy Arias, will be joining us as a keynote speaker. Andy has been an advocacy professional for over seven years and has worked as a System Change Advocate and Program Manager for Orange County & Los Angeles. He is a member of many boards and commissions related to creating greater visibility and advancement for diverse communities, especially the disability community. Andy is often hired to speak and train at universities, high schools, and Congressional leaders on ADA compliance and the inclusion of people disabilities and others from diverse backgrounds and communities. He has received several awards for his presentations on LGBTQ diversity and disability equality. Andy excels in teaching students that nothing can get in the way of their dreams, as long as they use their disabilities as an asset. Andy’s expertise extends to the Federal government and corporate levels. His goal is to marry his policy work with his work in the entertainment industry to create a systemic lasting change. We look forward to having Andy join us!
Here are a few ways to get involved with this cutting edge conference that works to expand kindergarten inclusion, bridge gaps and improve outcomes for students and educators, mentor a social justice youth program, support successful transitions and create college opportunities, and to explore the intersectionality of disability and other marginalized groups of society.
"This is one of the most 'woke' conferences I've ever been a part of." - LeDerick Horne
"Practical information I am able to take back to my home and school."
"I have been coming for years and this was the best one so far."
"It was great to meet people that are in one way or another a part of your child's life."
"AMAZING! Thank you so much! As a direct support provider, I am taking away so much that's helpful for my work."
"It's bold and brassy and political and kick ass. Keep going and thanks!"
"We are just starting our journey so this was a huge help."
"We are so grateful someone suggested this conference! We have truly gained so much. Thank you!"
"It is the only time I feel like part of the disability rights community, not just a solo special ed teacher."
The annual All Born (in) Conference is an exciting day for parents, caregivers, and professionals working to end segregation in neighborhood schools and the community. It’s a day of celebrating community and learning how to use Universal Design for Learning and best practices to reach and teach every child. Share, learn, and make connections so that we can all go forth to open the eyes of the wider community to the fact that our children are all born "in".
ABI is a program of NW Disability Support and is a movement in pursuit of an inclusive civil society. ABI seeks to end segregation and promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in our schools and communities. The conference was founded in 2006 in partnership with Portland State University’s joint certification program and the Center on Inclusive Education. It has grown to become a cornerstone resource in the Northwest region, engaging many innovative parents, professionals, and community partners to embrace the fact that children are all born “in”. Conference directors Angela Jarvis-Holland and Angela Frome lead a steering committee of dedicated parents and professionals to plan and execute the conference.
"Disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to enjoy the opportunity to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, and experience full integration and inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society." Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act.
Andy Arias has been an advocacy professional for over seven years. He has worked as a System Change Advocate and Program Manager for Orange County & Los Angeles. He is a member of many boards and commissions related to creating greater visibility and advancement for diverse communities, especially the disability community. Andy is often hired to speak and train at universities, high schools, and Congressional leaders on ADA compliance and the inclusion of people disabilities and others from diverse backgrounds and communities. He has received several awards for his presentations on LGBTQ diversity and disability equality.
Andy's experience and leadership gave him skills to develop and implement a youth program that served over 150 young adults in Southern California helping them reach their dreams for independence. The curriculum for this program utilized today by specific County agencies. Andy excels in teaching students that nothing can get in the way of their dreams, as long as they use their disabilities as an asset.
Andy advocates in the entertainment industry by creating visible pathways as an actor and a stand-up comedian. As an actor, Andy has had the pleasure of working with Tom Hanks, Mark Ruffalo and Hilary Swank on projects. He is often asked to consult with producers and directors creating greater media visibility of people with disabilities. He has also produced several small projects that have brought attention to persons with disabilities and the LGBTQ community.
Andy’s expertise extends to Federal government and corporate levels. His goal is to marry his policy work with his work in the entertainment industry to create a systemic lasting change.
Special Guest Presenters
Stephanie Smith Lee: Senior Policy Advisor for NDSC
Debra Hart: Director of the Education and Transition Team for the Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts
& many more local, regional, and national experts.
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