2023 Conference Program

Room 110

Judith Schoonover, MEd, OTR/L, ATP, FAOTA is an OT and former teacher. A nationally and internationally recognized speaker, Judith presents on school-based occupational therapy, transition, literacy, play, and assistive technology, and has authored numerous articles and chapters. She is passionate about creating accessibility solutions from easily found materials. Judith serves on the National Joint Committee (NJC) for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities; she is a Strand Advisor for The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) and is a managing editor for the Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits Journal. Judith is a recent recipient of the Joy Zabala Spirit Award.

At IHD’s 2023 Evidence for Success Disability Conference, we are fortunate to have Judith Schoonover lead an AT Make & Take preconference workshop as well as present during a breakout session at the main conference.

Room 109

Join Ann Knettler as she walks participants through how to create accessible documents using Microsoft Word as well as accessible presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint. Participants will learn:

1. Learn how create structure hierarchy within a documents and presentation decks, along with why this is important for assistive technology.
2. Understand and learn how to create proper colour contrast and incorporate alternative text to simple and more complex graphics.
3. Will learn how to create proper tables and lists to ensure a more seamless end-user experience for those using assistive technology.

Room 108

Using the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Self-Employment Toolkit (TVR-SET) in AIVRS Programs

This session includes (1) an overview of the TVR-SET website and (2) interactive group work to learn how to use TVR-SET materials in counseling practice.   Learners will begin by sharing how they currently support self-employment (or self-employment through subsistence activities) within their AIVRS programs. This will will set the stage for providing an overview of the TVR SET website.  Group work at each table will be based on vignettes that provide some brief background about a potential consumer interested in self-employment.  A volunteer at each table will play the role of the consumer, and the remaining participants will use TVR SET materials to assess readiness, business feasibility, and to think about business planning.  

This session is designed to help counselors and consumers learn how to:

• Assess consumer readiness to start and maintain a business
• Assess the feasibility of a proposed business
• Openly discuss the pros and cons of pursuing self-employment based on consumer readiness and business feasibility
• Develop an abbreviated or expanded business plan