The Comprehensive Autism Planning System for Individuals (CAPS) is a reflection of its creator.

This innovative approach helps teachers and educational teams plan and implement a student’s education across the school, including the individualized education program (IEP), and the curriculum relevant to the student. It takes the team through the process of planning out the goals and objectives to be targeted in each activity of the day, the modifications and accommodations that should be provided to support the student in each activity, the sensory supports needed to help the student stay focused, and the communication and social supports that create an environment for successful learning.

An overview of the special education process, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act laws.

ALDAcon is the annual convention of the Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA). ALDAcon usually begins with a Welcome Reception on the first evening and ends with a Farewell Brunch on the final morning. In between that time, members are invited to attend various presentations and workshops, the exhibits hall, the ALDA business meeting, the I King Jordan Awards Banquet and the famous Karaoke Party, where everyone lets their hair down and pretends they have a "golden voice."

ALDAcon provides an opportunity to learn about issues late-deafened individuals face, and the strategies that they have developed to overcome everyday challenges.  ALDAcon is a place to make new friends, renew old friendships, to learn and share, and to simply HAVE FUN!

ALDAcon provides a stress-free environment where all workshops, luncheons, and special events are made accessible by the simultaneous presence of sign language interpreters and CART writers. Assistive listening devices (ALDs) are available upon request.

Communication between individuals is guided by the ALDA philosophy of "Whatever works!"  Some folks speak and use hearing aids or cochlear implants to listen, while others speech read, use sign language, gesture wildly, or write notes in order to communicate.

ALDA welcomes everyone of all hearing levels and ALDAcon's spirit of inclusiveness is demonstrated every year. 

Foundations for the Future is Community Options' 19^th Annual Conference. The conference will feature sessions on technology and independence.  These sessions will offer practical insights and strategies from experts and practitioners in the field of human services, as well as opportunities for networking and collaboration among attendees. The conference aims to inspire and empower human service leaders to create positive change in their communities and beyond.

AFB is excited to announce that the 2024 American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference (AFBLC) will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from September 23rd - 25th!

The AFBLC is designed to cover the most pressing and relevant topics in blindness. It offers many opportunities to learn from our field's best and brightest minds, make new connections, and reunite with old friends. 2024 AFBLC's theme will be Leading in the Digital Age.

Una descripción general del proceso de educación especial, la Ley de Rehabilitación sección 504 y la Ley de Educación para Personas con Discapacidades (IDEA – por sus siglas en ingles).

How does Customer Experience (CX) improve accessibility? How can agencies effectively support the needs of their customers? Nicshan Floyd, Deputy Director for Customer Experience at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and his team will discuss the importance of building human-centric products and services through customer experience best practices and accessibility guidelines. They will walk through key steps for inclusive design, cover the benefits of Customer Experience (CX) and talk about how to build accessible products beyond the Section 508 standards.

Sign Language and Real Time Captioning will be available. Questions for the presenter can be submitted during the registration process.

Join the Pacific ADA Center for the third of four FREE virtual lunch and learn webinars. This webinar will cover how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects your rights in employment. Learn about the ADA and your civil rights as a person with a disability.

District systems play a crucial role in shaping student experiences in the classroom and impacting teachers’ ability to teach inclusively and equitably. The policies, practices, and resource allocations that districts implement profoundly affect the success of all students.  

Join experts from CAST on September 25, 2024 at 3:00 PM (ET) for a webinar on District Leadership for Inclusion and Equity.  

In this one-hour webinar, participants will learn: 

• How designing for inclusivity at the school and district level can close the achievement gap, improve school climate, and increase teacher retention. 

• How Universal Design for Learning can increase inclusivity and equity across a district. 

The presentation will provide an overview and resources of polling place access for people with disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Presenter: Barry Whaley, Project Director, Southeast ADA Center

Customizing jobs is really about process improvement. The Lean process is a business methodology that helps companies eliminate “waste” from the day-to-day operations of the business and focus on delivering value to customers. Customized employment is a strategy that identifies the passions and interests of a job seeker with a disability to identify and develop employment opportunities tailored to the individual while adding value to the business. Using Lean strategies, it is possible to match job seekers with businesses by creating unique opportunities for process improvement while focusing on individual interests and skills. This session will discuss the components and essential elements of customized employment connecting them to the Lean process. Examples of Customized Employment successes will be shared.

Participants will be able to:

• Identify the difference between job placement and job development
• Identify strategies to customize employment opportunities for job seekers using the Lean process improvement process
• Identify how the Lean process improvement principles align with customized employment
• Learn how customized employment strategies can be implemented through examples