We are excited to announce that the theme of the 2023 Massachusetts West Region Self Advocacy Conference will be Self Advocacy & Human Rights For All
Category: Self Advocacy Conference
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2022 Conference Recordings
We are happy to share that you can now watch recordings of the 2022 West Region Self Advocacy Conference Keynote Speaker, awards ceremony and Department of Developmental Services question and answer session. Click the purple button below.
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Virtual Option for 2022 Conference
In light of the current COVID 19 numbers West Region Self Advocacy will be providing an extra virtual option for our 2022 Self Advocacy Conference. Online attendees will be able to see our key note speaker Dr. Temple Grandin as well as participate on our Q & A session with DDS Central/West Director Anthony Keane and view the awards ceremony. Registration can be accessed on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/99074992971
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Conference Workshops
Westfield Self Advocacy Presents
Why Friendship Matters
Self Advocacy Impact Lab Presents
Connecting Through Activism
Creating Inclusive Community:
A Discussion of Race & Identity
Let’s Talk about Sex
Team-building Puzzle Game
Open Door Club Presents
Building Friendships & Networking
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2022 West Region Self Advocacy Conference Keynote Speaker Announcement
We are thrilled to announce that this year’s keynote speaker will be world renowned scientist and speaker Dr. Temple Grandin!
Dr. Grandin is a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior. Today she is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She also has a successful career consulting on both livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare. She has been featured on NPR (National Public Radio) and a BBC Special – “The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow”. She has also appeared on National TV shows such as Larry King Live, 20/20, Sixty Minutes, Fox and Friends, and she has a 2010 TED talk. Articles about Dr. Grandin have appeared in Time Magazine, New York Times, Discover Magazine, Forbes and USA Today. HBO made an Emmy Award winning movie about her life and she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2016.
When she was young, she was considered weird and teased and bullied in high school. The only place she had friends was activities where there was a shared interest such as horses, electronics, or model rockets. Mr. Carlock, her science teacher, was an important mentor who encouraged her interest in science. When she had a new goal of becoming a scientist, she had a reason for studying. Today half the cattle in the United States are handled in facilities she has designed.
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2022 Conference Workshop Application
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SejD0mBHsZWTWYjJ-bxWr1MBuT2F0ArccxUQIzNkfsw/edit?usp=sharing
Are you a self advocate with an important story to tell or information to teach? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
REQUIREMENTS:
-Must be able to present for approximately 50 minutes
-Must submit current resume
TO APPLY:
Please send this completed form and a current resume to West Region Self Advocacy Coordinators (Amber, apettell@wmtcinfo.org or Dana, dlund@wmtcinfo.org) 187 High st Suite 202 Holyoke MA 01040)PLEASE NOTE:
-Multiple people or a group may choose to apply to present together. Please list the names of everyone who plans to present.-Presenters are not required to identify as self advocates, but priority will be given to workshops involving self advocates.
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2022 Conference Keynote Application
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jLk3OacZ0FYKMoTKJtGLNsbjgAJLupGkb4tW1fqKjf4/edit?usp=sharing
Are you a self advocate with an important story to tell? Would you like to get paid to speak on the theme of “Building Friendships”? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
REQUIREMENTS:
-Must identify as a self advocate with a disability and a story to tell-Must be able to present for approximately 30+ minutes on the theme of “Building Friendships”
-Must submit current resume
TO APPLY:
Please send this completed form and a current resume to West Region Self Advocacy Coordinators Amber Pettell and Dana Lund (apettell@wmtcinfo.org, dlund@wmtcinfo.org, 187 High St Suite 202 Holyoke MA 01040) -
2022 Conference Theme
We are excited to announce that next year’s theme will be Building Friendships!
