The 2022 CRLA conference theme is Engaging Students & Elevating the Profession. Across the various student-support areas represented by CRLA members, a learner-centered perspective unites our work. That is, we are all driven to engage students in their learning. However, within the areas represented by CRLA, there are periodic–and recurring–challenges to this work. From policy mandates to scarce resources to increased responsibilities, our fields have faced unprecedented adversity in recent years. In the face of so many challenges, we continue our collective work in support of students. This work is important and must be elevated. 

Disability Cultural Centers are an innovation on the rise within higher education. This webinar will describe the role of Disability Cultural Centers on campuses, the benefits they offer students, and how they differ from the disability office that is tasked with student accommodations. The presenter will highlight recent research and share practical strategies for institutions that may not yet be in the position for a Center at this time, but are interested in building disability culture on campus. Inclusive practices on how to embrace disability culture regardless of your role on campus will guide the discussion. 

Free tax preparation services, also known as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs, are available to the disability community. Join National Disability Institute (NDI) as we explore opportunities to increase outreach and free tax preparation services to assure people with disabilities and family members have access to these important services. This webinar will review three strategies for engagement:

1. Connecting with local coalitions to distribute free tax preparation information to individuals with disabilities
2. Learn how to become a VITA volunteer
3. If you are an organization – learn how your organization can become a VITA site to provide free tax preparation services to the disability community

This webinar will also dispel myths in using free tax preparation and why it’s essential for people with disabilities to file a tax return. Captioning will be provided for this presentation. For any additional accommodation requests please contact Kish Pisani at kpisani@ndi-inc.org by October 31.

Every school has someone identified as responsible for Title IX compliance. At some schools that role overlaps significantly with disability access responsibilities and at other institutions the two rarely interact. Hear from the three former OCR attorneys who are now responsible for Title IX and Equity at their respective schools discuss how institutions can proactively create protocols for implementing joint student support, such as supports for pregnant students and parents of newborns, providing immediate academic accommodations to victims of sexual assault, and accommodations during the Title IX conduct process. Time will be reserved for Q&A. 

Writing the language for the way that disability accommodations are described in accommodations notifications to faculty is part art and part science. There is no one right way to do this, but there is certainly wording that can cause confusion or worse. When taking on a new role, some disability professionals find they have “inherited” unclear or loose descriptions. Other schools realize when implementing a new database system (AIM, Clockwork, Symplicity, etc.) that they must streamline existing descriptions or draft entirely new ones, and don’t know exactly where to start. The presenters, who have rewritten accommodation language at multiple schools over their careers, will offer a very straightforward “how to,” with issues to consider and some sample language to help ensure that accommodations are described in a clear and uniform manner. It will discuss the importance of individual institutional culture and historical context when crafting the language, so that faculty know as soon as they receive the notification what they need to implement for a student and how, thus smoothing the student’s experience, and reducing the burden on the disability office to engage in further clarification conversations. Takeaways will include basic principles for creating language, nuances and complexities to the language used, the uniqueness of clinical requests, getting the most buy in and output of institutional change, and the role different data systems play.

Many institutions are experiencing significant increases in the number and complexity of accommodation requests, while staff sizes remain the same. Relying on established processes and procedures is causing many Disability Resources offices to become overwhelmed, while students are waiting longer and longer to receive equal access and opportunity. Attendees will hear the reflections of two institutions that challenged the thought process behind their established office processes and created a more efficient office environment while removing barriers to accessing approved accommodations. The presenters will describe how they learned how to look at the interactive process differently through honestly assessing their processes and identifying opportunities to remove barriers and improve student service, without compromising individualization of accommodations.

DyslexiaCon 22 will be hosted in person November 10-12 and on IDA TV as on-demand conference experience November 11-13, 2022.  The  conference is a hub of information and support for anyone affected by dyslexia. Teachers, researchers, parents, advocates, and therapists are all invited to learn, network, and gain the tools they need to help those with dyslexia live successful, productive lives.

The 3-day Conference will feature the General Opening Session and Symposia from 8 am (CT) to 6 pm (CT) each day with dedicated hours for the IDA  Exhibit Hall. Throughout the conference, there will be unlimited opportunities to deepen your knowledge of structured literacy, reading, instruction, research, and advocacy by attending sessions, chatting with experts, and connecting with other attendees equally passionate about serving struggling readers. 

National Convention showcases The Arc’s role as a change agent in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc's largest event, Convention features dozens of breakout sessions and general sessions that highlight innovators in the disability community.

Accessing Higher Ground focuses on the implementation and benefits of:

• Accessible media, Universal Design and Assistive Technology in the university, business and public setting;
• Legal and policy issues, including ADA and 508 compliance;
• The creation of accessible media and information resources, including Web pages and library resources.

Are you a Veteran with a physical or mental disability or know someone that is? Are you a service provider that works with Veterans with disabilities? Veteran programs, services, and benefits can be complex to understand and use. This presentation provides a general awareness of basic concepts and resources available to Veterans with disabilities that a Veteran, their family members, and service providers need to know. There will be time for participants to ask questions of the speaker following the presentation.

Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects written expression. This webinar, led by Dr. Jennifer King, founder of Dysgraphia Life, will teach participants to understand and identify dysgraphia, and will explain interventions and accommodations that educators and caregivers can use to support and instruct individuals with dysgraphia.

Website overlays have exploded in popularity amongst businesses and organizations looking for a “quick fix” to their web accessibility issues. Overlay providers claim to offer a low-cost, automated solution to web accessibility. But do overlays really work? This session will provide an explanation of web accessibility overlays, how they work (and don’t work), and why organizations should think twice about fully automating their compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

When discussing racial tensions, experiences, and events — Indigenous Americans, also known as Native Americans, are often ignored and overlooked. In this webinar, part of the Real Talk, Good Action series presented by the Dismantling Racism Committee, meet some Deaf Indigenous folks in our community. Come and learn about their experiences, tribes, how they navigate in the Deaf community and their Indigenous community, and the oppression they face. Learn about their issues and why we need to pay attention to these issues.