Two siblings. One Diagnosis. Very different lives. As the eldest sibling to two autistic individuals, Brianna has witnessed firsthand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to meeting the needs of her sisters. This keynote explores the complexity of support needs, the emotional labor of navigating gaps in a fragmented system, and the critical importance of choice and inclusion. Through a deeply personal lens, Brianna shares her lived experience to shine a light on system inequities and how we can work across disability identity to build a more inclusive, effective, and collaborative advocacy landscape.

Many factors can cause behaviors and delays in developmental skills, and sensory is a primary one that is often unknown or misunderstood. Eight sensory systems can affect a client’s behavior and skill development. A clear perspective of these sensory issues can help us to not only understand a behavioral response, but also help to reduce the frequency and intensity of these behaviors. 

This course will expose learners to the eight sensory systems, and how high and low thresholds in each area can affect a client’s response and can contribute to habitual and even estructive behaviors. It will also help learners to have a better compassion and understanding from the perceptive of the client, and can assist them in assessing the environment, and understanding how to provide tools that may help to de-escalate the behavior, or even eliminate it with the right level of proactive tools and strategies. Additionally, you will see how learning is difficult, and skills become delayed with sensory processing issues taking the forefront in the brain and decreasing ability to be at a calm-alert state to learn new skills. 

Two self-advocates share their powerful and personal journeys of taking an idea—rooted in lived experience—through the challenging process of state legislation: one leading to the successful passage of a bill, the other resulting in a setback that still fueled awareness and future advocacy. They’ll reflect on what it takes to write and support legislation, build relationships with lawmakers, and testify at the Capitol—all while navigating the unique challenges of being a self-advocate, including doubts from others, systemic barriers, and even moments of self-doubt.

This session offers a real-world look at advocacy in action, showing how persistence, community support, and even setbacks can spark long-term change. Attendees will leave informed, empowered, and ready to raise their own voices for a better future.

In Fairfax County, Toby and Lindsay Latham have worked persistently to improve supports and services for students who need and use AAC in the classroom—calling attention to gaps in staff training, lack of data access, and opportunities for meaningful inclusive experiences. When local efforts to improve instruction in AAC stalled, they took their advocacy to the Virginia General Assembly, where they successfully helped drive the passage of the Commonwealth’s first law requiring AAC training in public schools.

This session offers an inside look at their advocacy journey—from school board testimony and community coalition-building to legislative strategy and policy wins. Attendees will hear about the challenges the Lathams faced, the approaches that proved most effective, and the work that still lies ahead to ensure communication equity for all students. Whether you’re a parent, educator, policymaker, or advocate, this session will offer practical insights and inspiration for making systems change from the ground up.

Many factors can cause behaviors and delays in developmental skills, and sensory is a primary one that is often unknown or misunderstood. Eight sensory systems can affect a client’s behavior and skill development. A clear perspective of these sensory issues can help us to not only understand a behavioral response, but also help to reduce the frequency and intensity of these behaviors. 

This course will expose learners to the eight sensory systems, and how high and low thresholds in each area can affect a client’s response and can contribute to habitual and even estructive behaviors. It will also help learners to have a better compassion and understanding from the perceptive of the client, and can assist them in assessing the environment, and understanding how to provide tools that may help to de-escalate the behavior, or even eliminate it with the right level of proactive tools and strategies. Additionally, you will see how learning is difficult, and skills become delayed with sensory processing issues taking the forefront in the brain and decreasing ability to be at a calm-alert state to learn new skills. 

This interactive session equips parents and caregivers with the knowledge and tools needed to become strong advocates for their child during the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. Participants learn how to confidently navigate IEP meetings, understand their rights,

and collaborate effectively with school teams.

The session opens with a "North Star" goal-setting activity, helping parents define long-term priorities for their child’s education and future. From there, the workshop walks families through the IEP process—from referral and evaluation to services and progress monitoring—breaking down each section of the IEP with plain-language explanations and real-life examples. Participants leave with practical strategies to:

● Prepare for meetings

● Ask the right questions

● Track their child’s progress

● Advocate for supports that align with their child’s strengths and needs

Whether new to the IEP process or looking to strengthen their approach, this session empowers

parents to confidently support their child’s success. 

Description Coming Soon

Ever wondered if Taekwondo training is good for individuals with IDD? My life is proof that it not only can, but does. Attendees will hear about my personal journey in Taekwondo, discover the many benefits it has for individuals with IDD, find out how to pick a dojang (martial arts school) that suits your needs, and even learn a few basic moves adapted to your physical and mental abilities! 

Supporting our loved ones as they navigate relationships can feel like shifting sand—especially for teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who often face challenges understanding friendship, trust, and personal boundaries. LEAP offers a calmer path forward. This interactive session is a condensed introduction to LEAP (Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention), a curriculum co-developed with families to help young people build safe, meaningful relationships. This  session highlights how connection and trust can lead to greater confidence and autonomy. 

In Virginia, schools are required to have written emergency plans in place. Recent legislation allows individualized supports and accommodations for emergencies and evacuations to be included in a student’s IEP.

But what does it really mean to have inclusive emergency plans? 

The Inclusion Project is a youth-led initiative to promote inclusion and belonging in Virginia’s K-12 schools. This year, in the wake of flooding in western North Carolina and the week-long water outage in Richmond, Virginia, the Inclusion Project focused on inclusive emergency planning for students with disabilities. 

In this session, Inclusion Project youth leaders with disabilities will share their recommendations for including students with disabilities in planning and managing responses to hazardous weather events. They will share a guide for students, teachers, and schools to use to make sure that everyone’s needs are met during an emergency. 

This interactive breakout session invites participants to reflect on their dreams and chart a personal path to building a life full of meaning. Using Hannah Setzer’s powerful story of resilience, authenticity, and determination, this session guides attendees through practical tools and heart-centered exercises designed to help them explore their passions and purpose while navigating the unique challenges of living with a disability.

Learn how Hope House Foundation developed and implemented an agency-wide approach to delivering truly person-centered in-home residential supports. This session will explore how the organization built systems around the unique goals, preferences, and needs of each person they support, and how they leveraged the Community Guide service under the Medicaid waiver to foster deeper connections and community involvement. Hear lessons learned, practical strategies, and the real-life impact of shifting from traditional models to a fully person-centered framework.

Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is more than a strategy—it’s a person-centered approach built on the science of ABA to build better days for people with disabilities, their families, and support teams. In this session, we’ll break down what PBS really means, how it works across settings, and why it leads to stronger relationships and safer, more supportive environments. Using real-life examples, we’ll explore practical ways to understand behavior, prevent crises, and teach meaningful alternatives. Whether you're a parent, direct support professional, self-advocate, or provider, this session will leave you with tools, insights, and hope for better days in the future.

Description Coming Soon

The role that genetics and genetic counseling can play in the care of family members with disabilities is often confusing and misunderstood; however, new developments in genetic testing often lead to family referrals for genetic evaluation. This session can help families navigate the uncertainty to better decide if they wish to see a genetics provider and how to prepare for this appointment. 

Turning 18 is a big deal. An 18-year-old is legally considered an adult in Virginia and can make their own legal, financial, medical, and educational decisions. For some individuals with disabilities, this will not be an issue. Others may need support. This workshop will share basic information about things that need to be considered as your loved one turns 18.

In October 2022, DARS started a project called the This project helps people with disabilities find better jobs. In the past, many people with disabilities were only given jobs where they worked with other disabled people and were paid less than minimum wage.  Most of these jobs did not give raises or promotions.

This new project gives people with disabilities a chance to have the same kind of jobs and rights as people without disabilities.

We have been learning how to support people in getting these better jobs. We are helping people understand that they can get these jobs. We are also teaching them how they can do well in these jobs. And we are helping them find a team of people who will support them in their work journey.

Come and learn how these supports can help everyone find good, fair work.

Building on the Southern Education Foundation’s Miles to Go report, which revealed persistent inequities for Black students with disabilities, the Advocating While Black™ session explores the lived experiences of Black parents navigating the special education system in Virginia. Through a collaborative research partnership between Advocating4Kids, Inc. and Howard University School of Education, this study centers the voices of Black families as they advocate for their children’s rights within public schools.

Drawing from asset-based frameworks and grounded in the growing body of scholarship on Black parental involvement in special education, the presentation will examine key findings related to Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), parental advocacy strategies, academic and disciplinary experiences, and the emotional, financial, and psychological tolls of the special education process. Participants will gain insight into the systemic barriers Black families face, as well as the resilient strategies they deploy to challenge inequitable practices. This session will engage educators, advocates, and policymakers in a timely conversation about equity, accountability, and justice for Black students with disabilities in the South.