OCALI NOW | Issue 33 • November/December 2021
2021: The End of the Beginning & Manifesting What's to Come
By: Shawn Henry, Executive Director, OCALI
Just when we thought we could get off of the roller coaster ride of 2020, it soon became clear that the ride wasn't over—we have continued to navigate the twists and turns of pandemic life, professionally and personally. At OCALI, flexibility and the ability to embrace uncertainty have been key to responding to the needs of those we serve and taking advantage of new opportunities that have come our way. Being "strategically flexible" has been part of our model since the very day we were founded, and has enabled us to better provide support.
What keeps us on task and on track in this twisting path is what I once read termed the "Primacy of Purpose." The premise is that you can make quick and nimble decisions in the moment, take risks, and try new approaches because you're not giving directives and tasks—you're ensuring everyone in your team, your organization, etc. know what the end goal or purpose is. There is also an understanding that there's not a straight line to get there.
As I look back at the past two years, I have never been more proud to serve our staff and to witness their hard work, dedication, innovation, and passion for serving people with disabilities and our collective community. We have always been laser focused on ensuring educators, professional, and families had access to accessible materials, online learning, and other resources during the pandemic. I can honestly say that some of our best and most creative and impactful work happened in the past two years.
Leading By Convening
Partnerships have played an integral role in our work and growth. Leading by convening partners has been intentional. Whether it's convening internal partnerships between staff, or connecting with external organizations locally, regionally, or globally, there's no question that harnessing our strengths, ideas, and perspectives are powerful ways to scale innovation, tackle tough problems, and expand impact. We have also been intentional about engaging the disability community. They are at the center of our 'why' and everything we do, and that's why we connect and listen to them.
I am grateful for our many partners in education, technology, health care, business and community, policy, and government. Together we are exploring and learning new ways of listening, understanding, and modeling. In 2022, we will continue to work together with our partners because we know that we cannot do it alone. When we collaborate, we bring new ideas and diverse perspectives that expand our thinking, practices, and work. And, ultimately, our impact.
Manifesting What's to Come
One of my favorite quotes that I often use is from my friend, Jason Barger. He says "Conversations are the currency for change. It all begins with what we are willing to talk about."
While there never has been a straight line in serving people with disabilities, one thing was clear prior to the pandemic—and that is that nobody was moving the needle fast enough. There weren't enough conversations happening. The pandemic caused a disruption and forced us to start thinking and talking differently. Conversations about accessibility became front and center across industries. And, as a result, the needle started to move more quickly—and that is a very good thing.
Supporting our collective community and bringing hope and inspiration to the people we serve, has never been more important. As we move into 2022, I am encouraging our team to manifest a vision for how we can better serve and support people with disabilities and those who live with, love, and support them. I'd like to encourage people to envision two things:
How can we continue to create an environment of accessibility—in our homes, schools, workplaces, and in our communities?
How can we use technology to create a higher quality of life and increased accessibility?
I am optimistic that we are at the end of the beginning of this new way of living and that we are starting to get our sea legs again about what the future holds. I believe that as an organization, we will continue to work toward our mission in new and exciting ways. We know that there's no clearly defined path. But we're going to doing it. You're going to do it. And people's lives are going to be changed—and better—because of it!
Here's to bringing life to our vision in 2022 and beyond.
Yes We Can! Journey Towards Independence Video Series
Q&A With Michelle Motil, Family Support Liaison at the Center for Deafness and Blindness at OCALI
Tell us about Michelle. What are a few things that people don't know about you?
"Sometimes I get comments that I seem to be an unusually happy and cheerful person. I made the choice to be that way. My sense of humor started out as a coping mechanism, but now it's part of who I am. I still have hard days, but everyone does. The point is to keep trying and keep going because the only consistent thing in life is change. As for what I like to do, I think I'm a pretty normal person, living an ordinary life with typical hobbies. I enjoy researching the property of plants and how to garden. I love nature. I'm a beachy pool girl when I have the opportunity. I'm an avid reader. I sing and I dance, and I look forward to defeating my opponents at cards."
What's one fun fact about yourself?
"This is definitely something interesting—I went to circus school in Jamaica and I did the trapeze. That was a really cool experience."
What was the intent behind creating the Journey Towards Independence series?
"Initially, my boss presented the idea to me, and she encouraged me to think about sharing my journey and how it might be able to help other people. We wanted this series to be personal and interactive, more about the human, real, and practical sides of life. Sometimes those aspects get lost in the formal and professional parts of serving people with disabilities. It's so important to consider the person and relate to them in real, authentic ways. It was also important to make sure this was a 'we' journey and not just a 'me' journey because there are so many people involved. I truly believe in learning communities and safe spaces to share and discuss difficult topics—people need to know they're not alone. I want to give families and professionals examples of how a real person is living independently and give hope and inspiration to their families so they know their child or family member can live an independent, high quality life. I want to show people that even though it can be hard, it can be done, and I can demonstrate what grit and resiliency look like and show how to push forward during challenging times."
Tell us how the Journey Towards Independence series connects to the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), which includes foundational skills essential for people with disabilities.
"When a person is deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired, they are missing part of the information. Informal learning takes place through observation with the senses, and most kids learn by example. The ECC addresses these skills that a lot of kids pick up without being taught. These skills are crucial for independent living and they need to be explicitly taught. Each episode of this series highlights 1-2 standards from the ECC, and there's also the opportunity to talk about it in real-time during the interactive part of the session."
The December 15 episode is about your guide dog, Tonne. How has Tonne changed/improved your life?
"Having Tonne has improved my life tremendously. He has helped me to deal with my anxiety in getting out and pushed me out of my comfort zone. By having a guide dog, I am more willing to go out and try new and different experiences. He is my partner and he helps me to get around safely, and I can also get around much faster. From a social standpoint, now that I have a dog, more people approach me when I'm out, which has created more social opportunities."
In the January 26 episode, you talk about your new living situation and roommates. Give us a sneak peek of that episode.
"From a socio-emotional and mental health standpoint, it's nice to have people in the house—just to have the presence of other humans around. Also, when I need help, my roommates are there to help me. This episode talks a lot about the importance of organization and communication, and how that has been important in how we share household duties. Things like, how are we going to organize food, share cleaning duties, pay bills, etc.? This episode highlights my transition and how I'm learning new skills and considerations for daily living."
How does independent living improve your quality of life?
"Living independently provides more opportunities for empowerment and for me to make my own choices. Sometimes, when a person with disabilities is living with a family member, choices get made for them instead of with them. When you live independently, there is more room for personal growth and strength, which you may not get relying on a family member. I don't want people to assume they have to live with their parents or in a facility."
For families who are supporting individuals with disabilities, what advice would you give them to help their loved ones lead/live a more independent life?
"The best thing to do is to be a mentor or coach, and to encourage the person to try new things. Try not to do everything for them. Having high expectations is also important. Failing is a learning opportunity. It's not about being perfect, it's about doing good and better until better is your best and good is your better."
To learn more about the Journey Towards Independence series and to register, visit  https://deafandblindoutreach.org/Yes-We-Can-Journey-Towards-Independence.
Learn More and Register!
Behind the Scenes at OCALI
Behind the scenes at an InspirED recording at OCALI
Have you ever wondered how we get all that great footage for our InspirED Virtual Learning series? Well, wonder no more. We have a studio here at OCALI! This is a photo from our recent filming with ODE. If we aren't in studio, we also rely on tools like Riverside.fm and Zoom to record our guest panelists. Be sure to register for our December 16 InspirED episode on building strong family-school partnerships!
InspirED Virtual Learning Series
Join Us December 16: New InspirED Session: Building Strong Family-School Partnerships
Families are an important asset in the equation of ensuring people with disabilities have the opportunity to live their best lives. Explore strategies for building partnerships between families and school staff members, including how to nurture these partnerships and navigate the barriers that have been posed by the pandemic.
OCALICONLINE 2021
OCALICONLINE 2021 On-demand
Missed some of the live event or want to go back and re-watch a session or two? Registered attendees have on-demand access to content through January 5, 2022.
Virtual Assistive Technology Vendor Fair
Need professional development seat time? 24 different sessions are available from the AT Conference & Vendor Fair. A ½ hour of seat time is available for each session.
Ensuring Access to the General Curriculum for ALL Learners
Check out this new video-based learning series that explore practical, easy-to-use resources designed to ensure ALL learners have access to the general curriculum. Learn more.
The Journey: A Free Webinar Series
2022 Journey: Webinar Series
The transition from school to adult Life is an ongoing journey. Youth with complex and unique needs often require teams to have access to a variety of tools, resources, and people to plan and prepare for the future. This webinar series is designed for teams assisting youth with complex support needs and their families to better navigate the process of the own journey to adulthood.
ATIM Assistive Technology Internet Modules
New ATIM Modules
The Assistive Technology & Accessible Educational Materials (AT&AEM) Center at OCALI recently launched four new Assistive Technology Internet Modules (ATIM) modules:
AT for Workplace Accommodations
AT for Driving and Transportation
AT Implementation: Adults with DD
AAC Implementation: Adults with DD
NEW! OCALI's Multi-System Navigation Center is Hiring
Looking for a way to make an impact in the lives of young people, while growing a rewarding career with a fun, fast-paced organization? OCALI is hiring professionals with a passion for making a difference for unique positions as Multi-System Youth and Family Regional Coaches. These Regional Coaches will work with youth with complex needs (MI/IDD) and their families in their homes.
It Starts With Families
This new guide supports local professionals serving individuals and families to become familiar with research around family engagement.
patriciaklier	Uncategorized	 December 15, 2021 December 15, 2021 9 Minutes
OCALI NOW | Issue 32 • October 2021
What We're Excited About: OCALICONLINE 2021
We're just weeks away from hosting OCALICONLINE 2021. And while every year is special, this year, we celebrate 15 years as a catalyst of moving inspiration into action.
With less than a month to go, we couldn't be more excited to welcome you and others from around the globe as we connect virtually. Over 1,500 of your peers and colleagues have already signed up – from 42 states, Australia, Canada, France, Namibia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. For those who are already registered or if you're thinking about attending for the first time, here are a few things we're excited about and hope you will be, too.
Judy Heumann Keynote: Friday, November 19, 12:30 p.m. ET
OCALICONLINE 2021 will feature Judith (Judy) Heumann, a lifelong advocate for the rights of disabled people. She contracted polio in 1949 in Brooklyn, New York and began to use a wheelchair for her mobility. She is now an internationally recognized leader in the disability rights community, and featured in the Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary, Crip Camp, released in 2020.
Dynamic presenters and presenters, and diverse content
With 300+ presenters and partners from around the world, our learning sessions highlight content for every age, and every milestone across the lifespan. From early childhood to school-age to adulthood, our sessions feature the best-of-the-best in their areas of expertise to share research, best practices, and resources that support the lifelong needs of individuals with disabilities and those who live with, love, and support them. Check out this teaser video of some of our presenters.
Special events within OCALICONLINE
Interested in learning more about inclusive leadership, or assistive technology and how it can be leveraged for individuals with developmental disabilities or with visual impairments? OCALICONLINE 2021 features a line-up of special events focused on these very topics. With experts from around the world, these sessions will provide you with practical resources and tips for taking your understanding of assistive technology to the next level.
Tuesday, November 16: Inclusive Education Leadership: Bring a team to this extended session on inclusive leadership! Hear from Ohio Department of Education leaders from the Office for Exceptional Children about special education and gifted education updates, key focus areas of supports, and project updates related to Each Child Means Each Child.
Tuesday, November 16: The BEST AT Forum is an opportunity to learn about cross-curricular braille literacy and assistive technologies for students who are blind or visually impaired. Sessions include a wide range of topics, such as learning braille with LEGO Braille Bricks, accessible astronomy, the expanded core curriculum, and much more!
Wednesday, November 17: AT for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: Join us for a full day focused on assistive technology supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. Sessions range from advocacy and AAC assessment to smart home adaptations and AT solutions in minutes!
These are not stand-alone events, but are integrated into the conference itself. Attendees wishing to attend these sessions must register for the entire conference.
Celebrating moments of impact over 15 years
Over the past 15 years, we have seen, heard, and witnessed countless moments of impact. These stories are living examples of how those seemingly small moments of inspiration are transformed into action. These stories are of ordinary, every-day teachers, parents, and service providers whose lives were changed because of what they experienced at OCALICON. They're people just like you. And these are their moments of impact, when inspiration transformed into action. Hear from past participants as they share their special moments of impact.
Creative and fun ways to network and connect virtually
Looking for ways to take a quick break or unwind for a bit? Check out the OCALICON Channel. It's where you can hear updates and announcements from our hosts. It's where you can catch episodes of Slow TV. The channel will stream continuously during conference hours. And new for this year, are our OCALICONLINE hosts, the Good Life Ambassadors (GLAs). GLAs are dedicated to educating and inspiring the local community on an assortment of topics that promote inclusion and the full participation of people with disabilities in community life. You'll also have the chance to speak directly with OCALI staff and other attendees. This is your chance to have conversations, exchange ideas, and connect with innovators and practitioners.
There's still time to register
If you're not registered, what are you waiting for? Don't miss the opportunity to attend the premier autism and disabilities conference where thousands of people from around the world come together to learn, network, and share research, best practices, and resources to support the life-long needs of individuals with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and sensory and low-incidence disabilities. Register now!
Register for OCALICON 2021
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Celebrating the Capabilities of People With Disabilities to the American Workforce
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and this year's theme is America's Recovery: Powered by Inclusion. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, this theme "reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic."
Each October, NDEAM is designed to recognize and celebrate the contributions and capabilities of people with disabilities to the American workforce.
At OCALI, the Lifespan Transitions Center is proud of its long-standing partnership with Employment First. Employment First is a policy to ensure every individual of working age has an opportunity to seek employment. Agencies are directed to provide a person-centered planning process for every individual of working age to identify their desired employment goal and their place on the path to community employment.
"The foundational elements of Employment First's framework—agency-neutral, outcome-focused, and person-centered—are directly aligned with our Center's work and mission," shares Alex Corwin, Secondary Transition and Workforce Manager, at the Lifespan Transitions Center at OCALI. "Our Center partners with all of the Employment First Taskforce member organizations to support successful systems that incorporate community life and employment."
When supporting communities, there are many questions for those seeking employment and those who support individuals seeking employment. In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Center proudly shares the following free resources organized around some of the most common employment-related questions.
How prepared am I for employment?
Assessing a person's preparedness is one of the first steps toward seeking employment. The Employment Life Skills Assessment (ELSA) is a free, informal assessment that families and professionals can use to gather information about their family member's abilities with employability and compare against the employment standards expected of adults. This assessment can help start the conversation for preparing someone to enter or reenter the workforce. Check out the professional version or the family version of the assessment.
I'm ready to start looking for employment. How do I get started?
If you're seeking information on the path to community employment and how to start looking for a job, the Community Life Guide, which includes two important areas of information and training. The first is community health and safety training, and the second is the Job Seekers Guide, which focuses on job seeking training and community employment. It provides step-by-step instructions and resources on how to get on the path to community employment and find a job that you enjoy.
What happens to my social security, Medicaid, and other benefits when I start working?
If you're looking for information and resources to help analyze the impact of employment on an individual's benefits, The Disability Benefits 101 (DB 101) is an integrated suite of online tools, information, and training where people with disabilities can directly access plain-language information about work and benefits and health coverage programs. Three calculators have been developed, including: Work and Benefits, School To Work; and Medicaid Buy-In. This suite of resources is designed for families, job seekers, and professionals and can be used to help analyze the impact of employment on an individual's benefits. While DB 101 does not replace a comprehensive benefits analysis, it can help to provide a general understanding about employment and benefits.
How do I support a person with a disability with learning new tasks on the job?
As teams prepare youth for the transition to adulthood, developing skills for employment becomes a priority. To teach these skills educators, job coaches and others need effective tools. What Works for Work, is a free, 12-session online resource that uses evidence-based practices on how to support people with disabilities.
Throughout the month and beyond, we encourage you to explore these free resources. By sharing them, you may help others understand how they can better promote access in their schools, workplaces, and communities. For additional resources from the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, visit their website.
What's New at OCALI
Yes We Can: Journey Towards Independence
A New, Interactive Video Series: October 27, December 15, January 26, 4 p.m.
Join Michelle and her guide dog, Tonne, for a new, interactive video series designed to share how she lives an independent, quality life as a person who is DeafBlind. Each 30-minute episode will include pre-recorded segments, followed by a live dialogue with Michelle, who is eager to share her experiences and connect with viewers. Tying all of these episodes together is the connection to the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), which includes foundational skills essential for people with disabilities. The sessions are free, but registration is required. Certificates of completion are available for the series. Join us for one or all episodes.
Virtual Educational Identification of Students with ASD Virtual Training Series
Register by October 25: 2021-22 Educational Identification of Students with ASD Virtual Training Series
The process to identify and serve students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires a well-trained and experienced evaluation team. From creating your team to administering quality assessments to accurately interpreting findings and communicating with parents and families, it is critical to have the knowledge and skills to best support students with ASD. OCALI is pleased to host the Educational Identification of Students with ASD Training Series for the 2021-2022 school year. This introductory training series, with 10 two-hour sessions, is designed for school-based evaluation teams that want to learn about the process for educational identification of students with ASD.
https://www.smore.com/v4myqhttps://www.smore.com/v4myqThe Ohio UDL Collaborative PLC
November 2: Ohio UDL Collaborative Monthly PLC
The members of the Ohio UDL Collaborative invite you to their monthly, virtual PLC. Join others from Ohio who are implementing UDL and find growth in the conversations to support your UDL journey. This session will focus on variability, mindset, and equity.
Nov. 11, 2021 4pm EDT Ensuring Access to the General Curriculum for All Learners
November 11: InspirED: Ensuring Access to the General Curriculum for All Learners
Effectively designing instruction and assessment in a way that provides universal access across courses, lessons, and learning activities is essential for ALL students. Learn more about the strategies, research, and support resources to effectively design instruction and assessment in a way that provides universal access across courses, lessons, and learning activities. Created for educators, by educators Ensuring Access to the General Curriculum for All Learners is a new, FREE video-based learning series designed to ensure ALL learners have access to the general curriculum.
patriciaklier	Uncategorized	 October 19, 2021 October 21, 2021 8 Minutes
OCALI NOW | Issue 31 • September 2021
Creative, Collaborative, and Connected Partnerships
Better together.
Two heads are better than one.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
We've all heard these sayings or we've used them with our colleagues and teams. Whether it's creating internal partnerships between staff, or connecting with external organizations locally, regionally, or globally, there's no question that harnessing our strengths, ideas, and perspectives are powerful ways to scale innovation, tackle tough problems, and expand impact.
At OCALI, inspiring change and promoting access for people with disabilities is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that all people with disabilities deserve to have the opportunity to live their best lives for their whole lives—at school, home, work, and in the community. We believe that we are better when we collaborate with our staff and partners. When we work together, we bring new ideas and diverse perspectives that benefit our thinking, practices, and work. Collaboration and strategic partnerships in the education, technology, health care, social service, government, and policy sectors have been the foundation of our organization's growth and impact.
We have taken what we have learned about partnerships and applied it to OCALICONLINE—the premier autism and disabilities conference. Over the past 15 years, this conference has grown and evolved into something that we are really proud of—an experience that is designed to connect and inspire people across the lifespan, across agencies, and across the world.
OCALICONLINE 2021 will showcase the best-of-the-best from some of our fellow collaborators and partners – organizations who are similarly inspiring change and promoting access in their own corners of the world, in their own ways, and from their own perspectives. We sought them out for their exemplary work in the field of disabilities, and because we know they are each at the leading edge of science and practice. These partners bring fresh insights and content to our line-up of sessions, and we can't wait for you to connect with them.
This year, we welcome:
The American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES): acres-sped.org
Autism Network Scotland: autismnetworkscotland.org.uk
Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA): casda.ca
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C): transitionta.org
Organization for Autism Research (OAR): researchautism.org
Urban Collaborative: urbancollaborative.org
As you think about ways to expand your own partnerships, I encourage you to consider the following:
Creative partnerships
"None of us is as smart as all of us." – Ken Blanchard
When organizations embrace creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, it opens the doors to thinking big and outside of the box. When it comes to inspiring change and promoting access for people with disabilities, we should all be striving to break down traditional barriers and explore things that others may not have yet seen as possible. Seek out like-minded organizations who share your commitment to celebrating creativity and innovation. Together, you will push your thinking and work toward new limits.
"Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much." – Helen Keller
Collaboration and strategic partnerships are fundamental for growth and impact. Together, with our partners, we are using data, research, and evidence-based strategies to shape policy and practice designed to inspire change and promote access for people with disabilities—something we couldn't do without collaborative partnerships.
Connected partnerships
"I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." – Mother Teresa
From educators, service providers, families, people with disabilities, community leaders, policy makers, and more, when you connect and engage with people and organizations, you create a community of people who are working toward a similar mission and outcomes. Staying connected through regular communication, events, etc. helps establish and strengthen relationships.
We hope you will consider joining us virtually at OCALICONLINE 2021, November 16-19. To learn more and to register, visit ocalicon.org.
Families are an important asset in the equation of ensuring people with disabilities have the opportunity to live their best lives for their whole lives. And, we know when families have access to information and resources, they are more empowered to support and care for the family member with disabilities.
The Lifespan Transitions Center at OCALI, in partnership with the Ohio Employment First Taskforce and its member agencies, have created It Starts With Families, a guide that provides research on the contributing factors and impact families with loved ones with disabilities face. The guide also includes important definitions and links to supporting resources.
This guide is part of a larger, cross-agency professional learning experience planned for spring 2022, designed for local professionals working to prepare, involve, and empower families of students with disabilities as they transition from secondary education to adulthood.
Ultimately, the guide and training are designed to support local professionals serving individuals and their families to:
become familiar with the research around families,
learn how to better design family engagement strategies, and
to reach all families, and build trust, rapport, and successful partnerships with families through culturally responsive practices.
We hope that this guide helps you to commit to Ohio's mission of developing and implementing universally designed approaches that will ensure all families have the necessary knowledge and skills regarding transition education and services and are involved in all aspects of transition planning.
Questions? Contact ItStartsWithFamilies@dodd.ohio.gov.
Download Guide and Learn More
NEW! Ensuring Access to General Curriculum for ALL Learners
Ensuring Access to the General Curriculum for All Learners provides educators and other specialists with the strategies, research, and support resources to effectively design instruction and assessment in a way that provides universal access across courses, lessons, and learning activities. Organized in 10 chapters, this series was created for educators, by educators and is grounded in research and evidence-based practices. The free, video-based learning series explores practical, easy-to-use strategies and resources that are designed to ensure ALL learners have access to the general curriculum.
NEW! InspirED Episodes
October 21, 4-4:30 p.m.
The Power of Family and Community-Based Partnerships to Support the Whole Child
All students, especially those most vulnerable need support and guidance. The Ohio Department of Education's strategic plan and whole child framework are designed to connect and address needs most central to a child's development. Because we know that Ohio's schools and educators can't do this alone, partnerships play an essential role in supporting students. Hear from Ohio educators and community organizations as they discuss creative partnerships that are having a positive impact on Ohio's schools, educators, students, and families.
Register for This Webinar
November 11, 4-4:30 p.m.
NEW: Ask Abbey: Considerations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Learners in the General Education Classroom
October 6, 13, & 20, 4 p.m.
This interactive, three-part learning series is designed to provide practical, easy-to-use strategies to increase academic success, social interactions, and more for learners who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the general education environment. Join us for one or all three. Learn more and register.
NEW: 2021-22 Educational Identification of Students with ASD Virtual Training Series
Inspiring Change Podcast
NEW: Inspiring Change Podcast: Episode 22
"May the Power Be With You:" The Margaret Burley Family Impact Award
Since 2016, OCALI has awarded the Margaret Burley Family Impact Award to a parent or professional who has made a significant impact on the lives of families of those with disabilities. But who is Margaret Burley? And why is her work, impact, and legacy important enough to memorialize and honor through this annual award? We discuss this with Donna Owens, OCALI's former director of the Family and Community Outreach Center and unofficial resident historian.
Virtual Assistive Technology (AT) Vendor Fair: September 29
Assistive technology (AT) are tools and supports that provide access to the curriculum and aspects of everyday life for individuals with disabilities. The AT Conference and Vendor Fair's mission is to build capacity in the regions by providing learning opportunities about the latest assistive technology to provide to access the curriculum for individuals with disabilities. Join us for a FREE one-day virtual event where vendors will share a variety of virtual sessions showcasing state-of-the-art assistive technology and remote learning options. Experience 1:1 vendor consultations and explore from the comfort of home. Learn more and register.
Challenging Behavior: Expect Success
Addressing Challenging Behavior Webinar Series
Every person is unique and has different strengths, talents, and skills. When addressing challenging behaviors for people with complex needs, it is essential to individualize the process in order to develop effective intervention plans. This 14-part webinar series is based in positive behavior intervention supports (PBIS), functional behavior assessment (FBA), and behavior intervention planning. The series explores the belief system and a systematic process essential to understanding and addressing challenging behavior. It also includes team-based strategies that focus on matching evidence-based interventions to a target behavior, after in-depth exploration of the individual's strengths and challenges. This series is ideal for anyone supporting school-age children, adolescents, and adults. Inclusive of the components of PBIS, this training can support educational teams working with students in need of Tier 3 support.
2021-2022 Journey: Webinar Series
ocalimarcom	Uncategorized	 September 29, 2021 7 Minutes
OCALI NOW | Issue 29 • June 2021
Inspiring Change Podcast Series
The Ongoing Work of Building a Diverse and Inclusive Society
"When I was 12, I didn't know about disability. I didn't know how to play with a boy, like my son," shares Sheila Graschhinsky in the most recent Inspiring Change podcast episode. Sheila is the mother of four boys and founder and president of Fundación IAN, an organization in Buenos Aires focused on promoting a diverse and inclusive society.
Sheila's son, Ian, was born in 2007, and due to a lack of oxygen, he has a motor disability, which impairs him to move, talk, and coordinate some movements. Ian turns 14 this year, and it's been a long path for the family.
"Being the mother of a child with a disability, there are a lot of things to learn about," she explains. "I had to learn about medicine, a lot about laws, and when talking about Ian and all his treatment, I also say that it's as if I run a small business at home. He has more than seven therapies that I have to coordinate and all the treatments and so forth."
From the beginning, the family had to work on not only inclusion, but how to manage their anger when not being included or accepted. Ultimately, the family had to decide to turn their anger into action.
What does inclusion mean, and how does it happen?
For Sheila, the answer to both of these questions came through a literal story called, The Gift, inspired by Ian.
"I remember taking Ian to the rehabilitation center, and in front of that center, there was a school, and I could hear some children laughing at Ian's disability. After several similar experiences, I crossed the street and knocked on the door of the school. I was very angry and I wanted to speak with the principal. In my head, I remember I had many ideas and insults and not happy things. As I waited for the principal to come, I think that was a transforming moment for me."
"As I sat there, I asked myself, what was the difference between those boys at the school and my own knowledge about disability when I was 11 or 12 years? The truth is that there was no difference. When I was 12, I didn't know about disability and I didn't know how to play with a boy like my son. I realized that getting angry at the children who were laughing would be no answer to the situation. So I said to Ian, 'what do you think if we write a book to show those children that you are also a child who has rights, who wants to play, and who can do many things if they help you.' That's how the book, The Gift, came about."
For an entire year, Sheila took the book with her everywhere, and if she encountered a situation with children who would laugh at Ian or would leave him out, instead of getting angry, she would give the child a book. That's when they started to see a change.
"After a child would read the book, the child would get closer to Ian and say hello or ask if he wanted to play. It was very inspiring for us and showed us a path, not only that we had to work with inclusion, not only that we had to manage the anger, but also to be active to get society involved. That's how we turned our anger into action."
Sheila also collaborated with Mundoloco CGI to produce the short animated film Ian, which is based on a real life experience involving Sheila and Ian. The film addresses discrimination and bullying and helps all of us understand why inclusion and diversity are so critically important to our society.
"We are all made of little pieces of our own experience, of our own lives' experiences. And when inclusion occurs, when inclusion happens, these pieces mix up together, and you can get some other pieces of a classmate, and you grow as a person, and society grows when including."
How are YOU building inclusion in your own community? OCALI wants to know! We're looking for interesting and innovative stories to highlight in future issues of OCALI Now. Share my inclusion story.
Listen to Full Podcast Episode
InspirED Episode: Honoring Families Through the Lens of Universal Design for Learning
Honoring Families Through the Lens of Universal Design for Learning
Family involvement is something we all want. However, how do we make it happen? Furthermore, how do we move from engaging families to empowering them, especially during unprecedented times when the connection between homes and schools must be even stronger?
To build effective programming, we must begin by ensuring that we honor our families and include them as partners for the education of all our learners. Our recent InspirED virtual learning session (from June 16) explores how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can boost connections and engagement to meet the varying needs of families. The session also highlights these connections with Ohio's strategic plan, Each Child, Our Future.
Hear from Andratesha Fritzgerald, Director of Human Resources, East Cleveland Schools and Founder, Building Blocks of Brilliance, LLC; Jen Bavry, Program Director, Family and Community Outreach Center at OCALI; and Ron Rogers, Program Director, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Center at OCALI as they share more in this 30-minute session.
Watch InspirED Session Now
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OCALI is committed to inspiring change and promoting access for people with disabilities and those who live with, love, and support them.
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OCALI is Hiring
At OCALI, inspiring change and promoting access for people with disabilities is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that all people with disabilities deserve to have the opportunity to live their best lives for their whole lives — at school, home, work, and in the community. If you share our passion, and want to work with a team of committed and compassionate colleagues, check our newest employment opportunities. We are hiring an Early Childhood Specialist and a Transition to Adulthood Consultant.
Challenging Behavior: Expect Success webinar series
Access Webinar Series
Unlocking the English Code webinar series
Unlocking the English Code: Literacy for Learners Who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Blind/Visually Impaired
Nationally, prioritizing language and literacy development for all learners has been a focus for many educators. This focus requires that educators build their capacity to support evidence-based language and literacy instruction, particularly for educators supporting deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) or blind/visually impaired (B/VI) learners, who access English and print in different ways. To help those who are assessing and teaching literacy for these learners, the Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness at OCALI is pleased to offer the recording of our professional learning event designed to explore and connect the areas of phonological awareness, phonics, writing, fluency, vocabulary, communication, language, and comprehension specifically for learners who are D/HH or B/VI. Certificates of completion are available and provided on completion of the recording and accompanying survey.
Access Recordings
Effectively Assessing Learners via Telepsychology webinar series
Administering Telepsychological Assessments
The transition to remote learning left instructional leaders and educators little to no time to prepare and transition how they deliver instruction. Meeting and assessing the needs of all learners in this online environment has been challenging, particularly for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. To help school psychologists and district and building leaders build comfort and confidence in virtually assessing all learners, particularly those who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) or blind/visually impaired (B/VI), OCALI launched a free webinar series, Building Capacity to Serve All Learners: Effectively Assessing Learners via Telepsychology. Parts I and II of the series explored preparing for and completing telepsychology assessments with learners who are D/HH or B/VI. Expanding off of Parts I and II, Part III is designed to focus on the practical demonstration of specific aspects of telepsychological assessments, including how to administer a standard test battery to learners who are D/HH or B/VI. Check out the recordings.
InspirED Video Gallery now available
The InspirED Video Gallery has recently been reorganized by audience – for families and professionals – and by topic, including: accessibility, autism, early childhood, family and community, PBIS, remote learning, transition, universal design for learning, wellbeing and self-care, along with assessment and data for professionals. As always, all sessions include interactive transcripts, audio description, and supporting materials, and the opportunity to earn a professional development certificate by completing a survey at the end of each session. A great way to get FREE professional development hours.
Last fall, OCALI, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education's Office for Exceptional Children, launched the InspirED Virtual Learning Series. The free learning series consists of 30-minute recorded, facilitated sessions focused on increasing successful engagement of diverse learners in a remote/virtual instructional environment, linking the users with appropriate resources and tools. The InspirED Video Gallery has recently been reorganized by audience – for families and professionals – and by topic, including: accessibility, autism, early childhood, family and community, PBIS, remote learning, transition, universal design for learning, wellbeing and self-care, along with assessment and data for professionals. As always, all sessions include interactive transcripts, audio description, and supporting materials, and the opportunity to earn a professional development certificate by completing a survey at the end of each session. It's a great way to get FREE professional development hours.
Explore Video Gallery for Families
Explore Video Gallery for Professionals
The Journey: Webinar Series Video Gallery
The Transition from School to Adult Life is an ongoing journey. Youth with complex and unique needs often require teams to have access to a variety of tools, resources, and people to plan and prepare for the future. These webinars are designed for teams assisting youth with complex support needs and their families to better navigate the process of the own journey to adulthood.
Access Video Gallery
patriciaklier	Uncategorized	 June 29, 2021 June 29, 2021 8 Minutes
OCALI NOW | Issue 28 • May 2021
OCALICONLINE 15 year anniversary
Celebrating 15 Years of Inspiration Into Action
OCALICONLINE Returns This November
Inspiration can come in many forms. A conversation, a connection, a bit of information that sparks a new perspective. Sometimes it happens gradually, and sometimes it happens in an instant. Inspiration opens the door to imagine new possibilities. And action breathes life into those possibilities that can bring about real change.
As the premier autism and disabilities conference, OCALICONLINE reaches across disciplines, age groups, and audiences to impact people's lives for their entire lives. Along with our partners, we bring you world-class speakers and sessions with a variety of experiences and perspectives, so there's something for everyone.
Reflections Over the Past 15 Years
OCALICONLINE 2021 marks the second year of hosting the event exclusively online, but the 15th year of providing participants with ample opportunities to transform inspiration into action. As we reflect on the last 15 years, we take stock of not only how far we have come within the field of disabilities and as a conference, but as a society. Much has changed. We look back on the last 15 years knowing we have come a long way, but we look ahead to the next 15 years knowing there is still much work to do.
Everett Bradley is one such person who has seen that change over the last 15 years, ultimately experiencing on a very personal level what it looks like to turn inspiration into action. Bradley joined the conference team for the inaugural conference in 2007, to oversee the numerous volunteers needed to stage the event. His business background enabled him to efficiently streamline and coordinate the volunteers, and his role was largely behind-the-scenes. It wasn't until his youngest daughter was diagnosed with autism that his trajectory changed. He was no longer just the volunteer coordinator. He was now a beneficiary of the ideas, strategies, and expertise offered through OCALICON.
"The knowledge I learned from OCALICON gave me the courage and strength to start asking questions," Bradley shares. "Personally, there is no doubt that the conference was the catalyst for my family into understanding my daughter."
"Everett has been an essential team member from that very first conference in 2007," says Simon Buehrer, one of the conference coordinators. "We're thrilled and humbled to hear his personal story of how discoveries and connections he made through OCALICON had a direct impact on his family."
"That's exactly why we do this."
"OCALICON focuses on supporting needs across the lifespan," says Jill Hudson, another one of the conference coordinators. "So, we hope Everett and his family will continue to benefit from OCALICON as his daughter grows through the schooling years and into adulthood."
"It's been such an honor and privilege to be part of this community of professionals, parents, and self-advocates and see it grow and evolve over the last 15 years. It's important to celebrate all their achievements and accomplishments in 2021 – and even more exciting to think about all the opportunities that are in progress and the possibilities on the horizon."
The planning team is always looking for fresh new content, ideas, and presenters to keep attendees engaged and inspired. This year, the event will include several new features, including:
Expanding the event from three days to four, allowing time for additional content and a modified structure with more breaks between sessions.
Hosting an Artist Spotlight, showcasing the talents and skills of people on the spectrum or with a disability—from artists to musicians, filmmakers to poets.
Inviting community members from around the state to serve as hosts and emcees.
Offering one single closing keynote instead of a keynote every day.
Introducing Our Keynote
Judy Heumann
OCALICONLINE 2021 will feature Judy Heumann, a lifelong advocate for the rights of disabled people. She contracted polio in 1949 and began to use a wheelchair for mobility. She is an internationally recognized leader in the disability rights community, and featured in the Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary Crip Camp, released in 2020.
"Judy has been leading the charge for disability rights for decades, and it's an honor to host her," shared Courtney Yantes, event specialist. "She holds a perspective of not only someone who has been down in the trenches doing the hard work of advocacy and fighting for disability rights, but she's also been flying up at the highest levels of the government, seeing a much larger picture than most of us will ever see."
Join Us November 16-19
For some of you, OCALICONLINE 2021 may be a starting point. Your young child is newly diagnosed, and you're looking for answers and connections. For others, OCALICONLINE 2021 is a continuation of years spent investing in and raising up a new generation of students. Or you may be a self-advocate celebrating your yearly reunion with peers and colleagues. Whether it's your first time at OCALICON, or you've been with us for all 15 years, each of us has an important role to play in this experience. The knowledge we share and connections we make when we come together as a community, empower each of us to move Inspiration into Action.
Don't miss OCALICONLINE 2021 November 16-19. Join us online. We're saving you a front-row seat.
Supporting Your Personal and Professional Learning This Summer
The 2020-2021 school year has been unlike anything we have ever experienced—transitioning from virtual to hybrid to in-person learning models, managing stints of quarantine, and in many cases, trying to figure out how to meet students and individuals where they were at any given time. It was a year that tested us and pushed us in new and different ways, and yet it was a year that also inspired us to be more flexible, innovative, and creative.
As many educators and parents prepare take a 'pause' from the school year—taking a mental health break, planning the long-awaited vacation, or just getting ready to enjoy a more relaxed schedule, we want to remind you that we are here to support your professional and personal learning and have a variety of resources available—many of which are free and several that offer the opportunity to earn graduate or continuing education credit. You can access these resources any time, in your own home, and at your own pace.
For people with disabilities and those supporting them—families, educators, caregivers, service providers, and others—it is essential to have the latest knowledge, skills, resources, and tools to ensure they can live their best lives for their whole lives. For more than 15 years, OCALI has been a trusted source of providing high quality research, resources, and training.
As you consider your professional learning plans—for yourself or your teams—OCALI has compiled some resources to get you started.
Ask Abbey: Developing Literacy Skills for Learners Who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing Gallery
This interactive learning series is designed to provide practical, easy-to-use strategies to increase auditory skills, visual language skills, and reading and writing print for learners who are deaf or hard of hearing. Each 30-minute session includes a 10-minute webinar with simple tips and strategies, followed by 20 minutes of Q&A with Abbey Weaver, an itinerant teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing in Ohio. Certificates of completion for the 30 minute sessions are available and provided on completion of the webinar and accompanying survey.
Assistive Technology Internet Modules (ATIM)
ATIM is designed to provide high-quality information and professional development on assistive technology (AT) for educators, professionals, families, persons with disabilities, and others. Each module guides you through case studies, instructional videos, pre- and post-assessments, a glossary, and much more. ATIM modules are available at no cost. Fee-based professional development certificates and graduate credit hours are available and continuing education credits are coming soon.
Suite of Resources for Early Childhood Professionals
If you're an early childhood professional who needs hours toward your credential, or you want to build your knowledge about early childhood topics, the Center for the Young Child's Suite of Resources is a great place to start. These modules have received the Ohio Approved (OA) designation and are also eligible for Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities continuing professional development (CPD) unit in the area of developmental specialist/supervisor, EI service coordinator/supervisor. If you're a developmental specialist who needs hours toward your credential or you are an early care or education professional who wants to build their knowledge around child growth and development, check out the Early Care and Education Seminars.
The transition from school to adult life is an ongoing journey. Youth with complex and unique needs often require teams to have access to a variety of tools, resources, and people to plan and prepare for the future. These webinars are designed for teams assisting youth with complex support needs and their families to better navigate the process of the own journey to adulthood. If you missed a session or want to go back and re-watch, check out the video gallery. This gallery is also a great resource to share with colleagues and others who may benefit from the information.
10 Minutes with Barb and Ron and #UDLChat
Join Barb and Ron for 10 minutes of light and fun chats infused with a perspective on Universal Design for Learning (UDL). These videos are geared toward parents, educators, college students, and administrators. Also check out the #UDLchat, which occurs every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern on Twitter.
Created by OCALI's Family and Community Outreach Center, From My Perspective is a podcast featuring people with disabilities, their families, friends, and others in their lives sharing about everyday life, their interests, opinions, and more. Check out the latest episodes on belonging or check out other past episodes.
OCALI's Lending Library & Know More Do More Campaign Resources
During the month of April, OCALI shared information and resources from our Lending Library by launching the #KnowMoreDoMore campaign. These resources featured different topics, including social-emotional wellbeing, supporting family interactions, early childhood, supporting independence in adolescence and adulthood, and more. The OCALI Lending Library is a great resource to connect you with accessible materials, resources, and technology. We offer Ohioans an extensive collection of FREE books, videos, assistive technology devices, assessment tools, and other resources that are available to borrow and shipped directly at no charge.
patriciaklier	Uncategorized	 May 26, 2021 May 26, 2021 8 Minutes
OCALI NOW | Issue 27 • April 2021
Shifting from Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance
Since 2008, April has been recognized as Autism Awareness Month in Ohio. The intent was designed to bring awareness to autism and to encourage and empower individuals with autism in Ohio and their families.
Earlier this month, Governor DeWine signed a proclamation to recognize April as Autism Acceptance Month, which states, "the purpose of Autism Acceptance Month in Ohio is to spread awareness, foster acceptance, and identify the public policy improvements needed for people with autism to live fully across all areas of life."
The transition from the word awareness to acceptance may not seem like a big deal. But, words matter and the shift to acceptance accounts for accommodating the feelings of others and accepting and celebrating our differences. Acceptance requires taking conscious action and shifting from not only seeing and recognizing that autism exists, but seeking to listen and learn, and then adapting our perspectives and behaviors. Just being aware of autism facts and information will not necessarily lead to acceptance or create inclusive and supportive environments in our schools, communities, and relationships. However, by intentionally moving toward acceptance, we can inspire confidence and a vision for possibilities that motivate us to continue to ensure that people with disabilities can live their best lives for their whole lives.
Acceptance is also the first step toward inclusion. Inclusion then leads to belonging, which is essential to truly connecting and relating to others. Unfortunately, acceptance and belonging are often the biggest barriers to inclusion that people with autism and their families encounter. At OCALI, our mission is to inspire change and promote access to opportunities for people with disabilities. Over the years, we have been working hard to break down traditional barriers for people with autism and other disabilities and explore things that others may not have yet seen as possible. While we have made significant progress, we have more work to do and we continue to explore and learn new ways of listening, understanding, and modeling. Our words and work must then translate into action.
The good news is that we don't have to do this alone. As leaders and practitioners, autistic and disabled people, parents, family members, neighbors, and community members, we ALL play a role in inspiring the change we wish to see.
Throughout the month of April, we encourage you to seek out opportunities that promote acceptance—for yourself and within your own communities. Following are a few simple ideas to get started:
Learn more. Explore information and resources about autism. A few websites to check out:
The Autism Center at OCALI
The Autism Society of Ohio
Interagency Work Group on Autism
Show support. Many organizations are hosting Autism Acceptance Month social media campaigns. You can easily show your support by reviewing and sharing the information and using designated social media tags. This month, OCALI is using the hashtag #KnowMoreDoMore, as part of a month-long email and social media campaign featuring information and resources from our Lending Library. Each week, we are featuring information and resources suggested by the Autism Center, Family and Community Outreach Center, Center for the Young Child, and Lifespan Transitions Center on various topics, including social-emotional wellbeing, early-childhood, supporting family interactions, and independence
Connect with others. Acceptance is an 'everyone' conversation and we all have the power and ability to support acceptance. Simply showing that you're genuinely open and interested in learning more about autism, particularly from autistic people or their family members goes a long way.
Now, more than ever, it is important to recognize the unique strengths, challenges, and experiences of each person with autism and their families. Rather than attempting to paint with a broad brush based on a shared label or diagnosis, instead we encourage everyone to thoughtfully engage and inspire. Have meaningful conversations about what is most supportive for each person, in each setting in that moment, and then do those things! It's much easier to write it down than to actually do the work—especially when someone's experiences don't match your own. But, by working together to create truly accessible spaces and ensuring that everyone is supported, accepted, and included, that's what inspiring change is about.
The Smell of the Room is a Fire in My Nose:
A Conversation on Autism and Trauma
Trauma by its very nature is an incredibly personal and individual experience. There are many different forms of trauma and many different ways it can impact, shape, and define who we are and who we become. But, what about people on the autism spectrum—autistic people. What's different about how they experience, deal with, and live with trauma?
These are the questions that Kim Clary and Kelly Mahler explore in Rewind, a new series within the Inspiring Change podcast that features conversations and connections from OCALICON—OCALI's premier autism and disabilities conference. Rewind is the audio showcase of some of OCALICON's best moments, the speakers' sessions, and the stories that make it all happen.
Kim Clary is an occupational therapist in Bellaire, Florida and Kelly Mahler is an occupational therapist in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Kelly and Kim push us to expand our thinking beyond what we might consider to be traditional causes of trauma in a conversation about how people with autism experience different types of trauma in different ways, and in ways that ask us to think differently about what trauma is and the impact it can have. Kim further illustrates the effects of trauma by sharing some of her poems and journal entries.
Imagine that you are in the midst of a hurricane outside without protection. That you cannot seek shelter. Imagine that you are in a burning building and cannot leave. Or that your body is covered in angry fire ants. Imagine that you are suddenly attacked, suddenly blinded by sharp daggers in your eyes. Imagine this – is your life. You can imagine it, but I don't have to. These things are my life.
"What we know about trauma is that it is a response to an event or a series of events that make someone feel unsafe, threatened, or severely distressed and trauma impacts your neurology—both your brain and your body," explains Kelly. "Trauma also impacts your physiology. It's important to point out that trauma is dependent on how a person experiences an event."
"I think that it just goes to show that we really need to be good detectives and always think through a trauma-informed and an autism-informed lens and really figure out what's going on with each individual person," continues Kelly. "I think our main goal – besides offering hope and strategies of how to support – is to challenge the way that we're viewing trauma in the autism field."
Register for the last session on April 28! This interactive, three-part learning series is designed to provide practical, easy-to-use strategies on how to include learners who are deaf or hard of hearing in gym, art, and music classes. Each session will incorporate considerations to ensure each learner is safe, engaged, and challenged. Each 30-minute session will include a 10-minute webinar with simple tips and strategies, followed by 20 minutes of live Q&A with Abbey Weaver, an itinerant teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing in Ohio. The sessions are free, but registration is required. Certificates of completion are available for the series. Join us for the last session.
Register for the Last Session
Nationally, prioritizing language and literacy development for all learners has been a focus for many educators. This focus requires that we build educators' capacity to support evidence-based language and literacy instruction, particularly for educators supporting learners who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) or blind/visually impaired (B/VI), who access English and print in different ways.
To help those who are assessing and teaching literacy to these learners, the Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness at OCALI is pleased to offer this interactive, virtual professional learning event designed to explore and connect the areas of phonological awareness, phonics, writing, fluency, vocabulary, communication, language, and comprehension specifically for learners who are D/HH or B/VI.
OCALICONLINE 2021 marks the second year of hosting the event exclusively online, but the 15th year of providing participants with ample opportunities to transform inspiration into action. As we reflect on the last 15 years, we take stock of not only how far we have come within the field of disabilities and as a conference, but as a society. Much has changed. Some for the better, some not for the better. We look back on the last 15 years knowing we have come a long way, but we look ahead to the next 15 years knowing there is still much work to do.
No matter where you are personally or professionally, OCALICONLINE 2021 is the place where you can gather, connect, rest, or regroup.
There's a place for you here. And we've saved you a front-row seat.
The transition to remote learning left instructional leaders and educators little to no time to prepare and transition how they deliver instruction. Meeting and assessing the needs of all learners in this online environment has been challenging, particularly for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired.
To help school psychologists and district and building leaders build comfort and confidence in virtually assessing all learners, particularly those who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) or blind/visually impaired (B/VI), OCALI launched a free webinar series, Building Capacity to Serve All Learners: Effectively Assessing Learners via Telepsychology.
Part III: Administering Telepsychological Assessments
Parts I and II of the series explored preparing for and completing telepsychological assessments with learners who are D/HH or B/VI. Expanding off of Parts I and II, Part III is designed to focus on the practical demonstration of specific aspects of telepsychological assessments, including how to administer a standard test battery to learners who are D/HH or B/VI.
Did you miss an InspirED learning session or want to go back re-watch or check out other sessions? Explore the InspirED Video Gallery. Here, learners can access all previously aired sessions, which include interactive transcripts, audio description, and session materials. This gallery is also a great resource to share with colleagues and others who may benefit from the information.
Don't forget learners have the opportunity to earn a professional development certificate by completing a survey at the end of each session. Did we mention that this is a FREE way to get professional development hours?
Explore Video Gallery
To support County Boards of Developmental Disabilities in helping youth with complex needs and their families navigate the journey to from school to adult life, the Lifespan Transitions Center at OCALI has created a free webinar series, called The Journey, designed to explore important topics and feature resources and tools for transition assessment and planning, as well as student instruction and family engagement. Register for the upcoming May webinar:
What I Wish I Knew Then: Parents' Perspectives Following High School
Monday, May 17, 2:30–3:00 PM
Parents of young adults with complex support needs offer insights and considerations after experiencing life after high school. This panel discussion is an authentic dialogue that provides educators, SSAs, OOD counselors, families, and others awareness about what was most helpful during the school years and what else might have been helpful in order to prepare for the future.
Visit the archive of previously aired webinars and register for upcoming sessions.
patriciaklier	Uncategorized	 April 22, 2021 April 22, 2021 8 Minutes
OCALI NOW | Issue 26 • March 2021
March 13-April 15 is Deaf History Month:
Heritage Months Offer Opportunities to Address Access and Equity
Guest blog: Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness at OCALI
Opportunities to build our understanding of equity and access, and what that looks like for each person, includes reflecting on our history. Having the chance to participate in activities that acknowledge and celebrate various groups through heritage months provides a space for students, families, educators, and community members to explore the contributions made by many represented and underrepresented groups. Building more inclusive environments means that we are intentional about offering a wide range of representation as we work to understand the experiences of one another. Honoring the diverse backgrounds, the unique identities, and the lived experiences that make up who we are as a society.
For students and staff in the classroom, an opportunity to raise awareness about these complex experiences comes with sharing the achievements, struggles, and perspectives of group members and connecting it with the experiences of others. As stated in the Ohio Department of Education's strategic plan, Each Child, Our Future, "Ohio's greatest education challenge remains equity in education achievement for each student. The path to equity begins with a deep understanding of the history of discrimination and bias and how it has come to impact current society."
Planning with intentionality to explore what we know about a culture helps to dispel misconceptions and expand our knowledge base so that students and staff are prepared to learn and help each other succeed.
One example of such an opportunity is Deaf History Month, which is celebrated from March 13-April 15. This month came to be through the collaborative work of the National Association of the Deaf and the American Library Association (ALA). The conversation started in an effort to make libraries more accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing within communities by providing resources to learn about deaf culture, American Sign Language, and the deaf community. Since then, this effort has expanded to offering collections, exhibits, programming, and more at local libraries, the State Library of Ohio, and The Ohio Digital Library.
In addition to offering reference materials and library resources, activities to engage students and staff in sharing their perspectives about access and equity can support connection. Because the number of people who are deaf or hard of hearing is a small percentage of society, a person's only experience may be through what they've seen on TV, in the movies, or on social media—showing one person, in one place, at one time, which limits perspective. The reality is that being deaf or hard of hearing can look different in many ways.
Guided by the belief that increasing access to information promotes understanding, the Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness at OCALI created a training module, Promoting Access for People Who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, or Visually Impaired. This free, self-paced training module offers a collection of evidence-based strategies and scenarios at home, school, and in the community that can be used with students, families, and staff any time.
"Life is about connection and we do not want anyone to miss the opportunity to connect," shares Shawn Henry, OCALI's Executive Director. "This module is designed to help people gain confidence when connecting and communicating with people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired anytime and anywhere."
Celebrating cultural heritage through initiatives like Deaf History Month offers that opportunity to connect. They encourage our exploration of the contributions and rich identities of groups who make up our nation. They give us a chance to explore what can be done to increase access and equity in our schools and communities all year long.
In celebration of Deaf History Month, the Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness at OCALI is pleased to share several free resources, including:
Promoting Access for People Who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, or Visually Impaired, a self-paced training module
Sign Language Resources
Communications Planning Guide for Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Learn more at https://deafandblindoutreach.org/.
OCALI Holds First Advocacy Day Meetings and Webinar
During the month of February, the OCALI Office of Policy coordinated one-on-one meetings for OCALI Advisory Board Members with Ohio representatives and senators, as well as a webinar for members of the Ohio General Assembly.
Advisory Board Members and OCALI staff engaged in conversations with a dozen lawmakers to help them better understand how OCALI can serve as a resource to them and their constituents. The meetings included engaging conversations and information about actions legislators can take to help families and professionals in their communities.
"While each meeting was different based on that particular legislator's district and perspective, they were all enlightening and helpful for us to gain a better understanding of how to help policymakers as they consider and pass legislation," said Teresa Kobelt, MSW, LSW, Director, Strategy, Innovation, and Forecasting, OCALI's Office of Policy. "In turn, we were able to increase awareness about OCALI's tools and resources that can help their constituents."
A webinar was also held on February 24, which was attended by 25 legislators and staff. The program provided an overview of challenges facing people and families who are living with disabilities in Ohio, particularly over the past year, and information about specific OCALI resources, such as InspirEd, ASD: Strategies in Action, and #HeretoHelp.
OCALI is hoping to make OCALI Advocacy Day an annual event to continue to engage with members of the Ohio General Assembly about timely policy items that impact people with disabilities across the state.
2021 Transformation Series: #MovingForwardTogether
This year, the Provider Transformation Summit is transforming into the 2021 Provider Transformation Series – a collection of resources and online events that assist providers, county boards, families, individuals, and others to think about and move from facility to community-minded supports.
This change in format allows the concept of transformation to be considered from multiple points of view, as well as giving us all a chance to come to a fuller understanding of what makes actual provider transformation successful. Many times, it is not about making big moves, but the daily actions providers and others take toward supporting people where they are to where they want to go.
During the pandemic, everyone involved in the service system had to reinvent supports and the way they are provided in order to maintain health and safety, as well as to support meaningful routines. This lived experience helps all of us appreciate the necessity of transformation and how it starts and succeeds with attention to how programs are organized and perceived by the DSPs and managers running them, as well as the individuals and families who depend on them.
The 2021 Provider Transformation Series has been designed to allow everyone interested in the subject matter a variety of formats and styles so individual and organizational needs and expectations can be met. It provides an opportunity for stakeholders to gather and share ideas, strategies, and practices that will assist them as they move through the systems change process and help improve person-centered planning, community membership, and employment opportunities for individuals across Ohio.
The 2021 series features two great offerings to help support your continued transformation journey:
Transformation Talks
Transformation Tuesdays
Transformation Talks will be posted in late March 2021.
Transformation Tuesdays registration is NOW OPEN!
InspirED Virtual Learning Series: Register for March & April Sessions
Register for upcoming sessions, including:
· March 25: Telepsychology: Tips and Tools for Online Assessments
· April 8: Accessible Solutions for Online Learning: Considerations for Learners who are B/VI
All sessions are at 4 p.m. If you miss a session or want to go back re-watch or check out other sessions, check out the InspirED Video Gallery. Here, learners can access all previously aired sessions, which include interactive transcripts, audio description, and session materials. This gallery is also a great resource to share with colleagues and others who may benefit from the information.
Register Today for FREE Webinars
Save the Dates: Ask Abbey: Engaging Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Through Music, Art, and Gym
A Free, Interactive Learning Series: April 14, 21, & 28, 4 p.m.
This interactive, three-part learning series is designed to provide practical, easy-to-use strategies on how to include learners who are deaf or hard of hearing in gym, art, and music classes. Each session will incorporate considerations to ensure each learner is safe, engaged, and challenged. Each 30-minute session will include a 10-minute webinar with simple tips and strategies, followed by 20 minutes of live Q&A with Abbey Weaver, an itinerant teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing in Ohio. The sessions are free, but registration is required. Certificates of completion are available for the series. Join us for one or all three.
Registration will open soon.
RESNA Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certification Scholarship: Deadline is March 31
Want to advance your Assistive Technology (AT) knowledge? Qualified employees of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities in Ohio have the opportunity to received $1,400 in scholarships to build their capacity for AT service delivery and earn AT Professional (ATP) Certification.
Rewind: A New Podcast Series
The Rewind podcast series features speakers, sessions, and stories from OCALICON – the premier autism and disabilities conference. Check out the latest episode: Baked Into the Process: Advancing Equitable Outcomes Through the Lens of Social Justice.
10 Minutes with Barb and Ron
Join Barb and Ron for 10 minutes of light and fun chats infused with a perspective on Universal Design for Learning (UDL). These videos are geared toward parents, educators, college students, and administrators.
Newly Launched AIM Course: Motor Differences
Learn about the main body systems that impact motor control, identify aspects of typical development, and understand motor differences that can impact people with autism throughout the lifespan.
Newly Launched ATIM Module: AAC Assessment: Adults with DD
Expand your knowledge of AAC Assessment to determine and recommend augmentative and alternative communication devices, aids, and strategies for adults with a developmental disability.
The Journey Webinar Series: 2021 Dates
To support County Boards of Developmental Disabilities in helping youth with complex needs and their families navigate the journey to from school to adult life, the Lifespan Transitions Center at OCALI has created a free webinar series, called The Journey, designed to support topics, such as:
· Creating structure,
· Improving self-determination,
· Planning for transition, and
· Supporting literacy.
ocalimarcom	Uncategorized	 March 17, 2021 March 22, 2021 7 Minutes
OCALI NOW | Issue 25 • February 2021
Baked Into the Process: Advancing Equitable Outcomes Through the Lens of Social Justice
What is social justice? What does it mean for education and for educators? Why is it important to promote equitable outcomes for students? And how do we infuse socially-just practices into school-based services that promote equitable and positive outcomes for young people?
These are some of the questions that Dr. Charles Barrett explores in the first episode of Rewind, a new Inspiring Change podcast series that features conversations and connections from OCALICON—OCALI's premier autism and disabilities conference. Rewind is the audio showcase of some of OCALICON's best moments – starting with Dr. Barrett's 2020 presentation.
Dr. Barrett is a nationally-certified school psychologist, as well as a writer, musician and teacher from Northern Virginia. He's a passionate educator, committed to meeting people where they are, and understanding, serving, and supporting the individual needs of children and families.
His work is anchored by a focus on justice and equity, which represents his unwavering commitment to advocating for populations that have been marginalized by systemic oppression. In this episode, Dr. Barrett helps define and describe the framework of social justice, including why it's important and how we do it.
"Social justice is a lens that really informs how we think about students in many ways," shares Barrett. "It's a systemic framing. Social justice is not a condiment. It's not ketchup or mayonnaise or pepper or salt that we sprinkle onto something after it's already made or after it's been prepared. Social justice is really a central ingredient that's baked into the process. It's our thinking that informs what we do and how we do it.
Follow Dr. Barrett | Twitter: @_charlesbarrett | Instagram: @charlesabarrett
InspirED Video Gallery
Text of Blog Post is the Full Video Transcript
CC Version: https://youtu.be/ij8aVKzKgI0
Video with Audio Description Coming Soon!
Each week, the InspirED Virtual Learning Series Zoomcast brings you strategies, resources, and practical advice to help navigate this unique time in learning.
But…maybe 4 p.m. on Thursday, doesn't always exactly work for you.
Take a breath! Don't worry…We've got you covered!
The InspirEd Video Gallery features all of the previous sessions on-demand, and it's updated weekly so you can access the series when it's convenient for you!
Catch up on sessions you may have missed. Share in the learning by rewatching sessions with co-workers or family. Access resources specific to each topic. And earn professional development credit.
It's all in the InspirED video gallery at ocali.org. And the best part is…you're in control!
Now, doesn't that feel good?
Be informed. Be empowered. Be InspirED!
Visit the VIdeo Gallery
Assistive Technology: Matching a Person's Needs with AT Features
According to the World Health Organization, assistive technology (AT) is defined as products whose "primary purpose is to maintain or improve an individual's functioning and independence to facilitate participation and to enhance overall well-being. They can also help prevent impairments and secondary health conditions."
The Assistive Technology Act of 2004 describes an AT device as "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." The Tech Act also describes an AT service as "any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device."
Given the goal of increased independence for people with developmental disabilities and the demonstrated impact that assistive technology solutions can have on facilitating that independence, it is important for persons with disabilities, families, service coordinators, and others to have a basic understanding of and an appreciation for the use of AT and other accommodation solutions.
The AT Continuum
It is important to keep in mind that AT is not concerned with the remediation of a disability, but with overcoming access and performance barriers in ways that help people with disabilities complete desired tasks. Self-help, employment, socialization, inclusion, and community living can be made more accessible using AT.
Without technology that promotes access, connectivity, and community participation, people with developmental disabilities may not be able to receive services in the same way as people without disabilities. Because AT is used to overcome barriers to participation, AT devices are not categorized by disability type, but by the task and functional capabilities that are supported. It should be noted that some AT devices are simple and readily available in the marketplace. Others are more complicated and require electricity, electronics, and other technology supports.
When person-centered planning is used to develop an individual's adult's Individual Service Plan (ISP), the information collected can be directly applied to AT assessments. ISPs identify an person's adult's goals and next-steps, and these can be applied to finding AT to help the individual accomplish them. Any AT assessment consists of four basic steps:
Frame the question to ask, "What, specifically, does the person want to do?"
Clarify strengths and obstacles to accomplishing this goal or activity.
Generate solutions and try AT tools and strategies.
Select and document the AT tool/system in an ISP.
Person-centered planning can guide a team as they begin to explore ways that AT can help an individual accomplish ISP goals.
A Framework to Guide the AT Assessment Process
Once an individual and their support team have set goals for increased independence and/or reduced support in a specific area, they will also begin to look more deeply into the person's strengths and barriers related to this area. One commonly used strategy for guiding a team's AT discussions related to a person's use of AT, is the use of the SETT Framework.
The SETT Framework is based on the idea that, in order to identify an appropriate system of AT devices and strategies needed for a person to make progress toward goals, collaborative teams that include the person, family or caregivers, and selected professionals must first develop a shared understanding of the individual's strengths and barriers. This understanding includes the customary environments in which the person will participate and the tasks that the person needs to be able to do, or learn to do, more independently and with less support.
SETT was originally developed for AT processes in schools and it is an acronym for Student, Environments, Tasks, and Tools. Since it was developed, the ideas and principles of the SETT Framework have been used in a wide variety of other settings. SETT can easily be used during AT discussions by ISP teams for adults. When SETT is used in this way, the S represents Self instead of Student. The questioning approach inherent in using the SETT Framework provides a starting point for helpful conversations about AT devices and services.
Importance of a Clearly Defined Process
Using SETT (or a similar framework) as a guide for discussions about AT can be important for the eventual integration of AT into a person's life. A clearly defined process can keep the team from going off on tangents exploring possible AT solutions that do not fit the reality of the person's needs, abilities, or environment. It can counteract the tendency to start working on misidentified problems based on unconfirmed assumptions about the person's skills or abilities. It can help the team remain focused and stay on track. Using a systematic approach based on effective communication strategies can be reassuring to the person, the support team, and advocates.
Although everyone who participates on an ISP/support team is an advocate for the person's progress, there are often varied opinions on how to support that progress. Multiple perspectives are vital, but the use of a structure or framework to help guide discussions and develop consensus can be valuable during an AT assessment.
New Modules to Support the Assessment Process and Independent Living
The Assistive Technology & Accessible Educational Materials (AT&AEM) Center at OCALI recently launched a series of Assistive Technology Internet Modules (ATIM) to support the assessment process and independent living for adults. These free modules, along with many others, guide users through case studies, instructional videos, pre- and post-assessments, and more. Fee-based professional development certificates and graduate credit hours are available. Check out these new modules designed for adults, along with the complete module list:
AT Assessment Strategies for Adults: Part I
AT Assessment Strategies for Adults: Part II
AAC Assessment: Adults with DD
Assistive and Smart Home Technology for Independent Living
Matching a Person's Needs with AT Features
An important part of the AT assessment process is matching a person's needs with AT features. SIFTS is a quick and easy web-based survey tool developed to support decision-making teams who need assistance in matching a person's needs and strengths to AT features. Questions about a person's needs and abilities are presented and the answers provided lead to suggestions of specific AT features for the identified domain. The list of AT features has embedded text, picture, and video supports to assist teams in building their knowledge of AT, as well as their capacity to implement AT assessments.
To learn more about assistive technology and supporting resources, visit https://ataem.org/.
Creating structure,
Improving self-determination,
Planning for transition, and
Supporting literacy.
New Adult Domains Added to SIFTS
The AT&AEM Center at OCALI recently launched a series of SIFTS specifically for adults in need of assistive technology (AT). SIFTS is a web-based tool designed to guide AT decision-making teams in matching a person's needs with AT features. From children to adults, SIFTS can be used by parents, students, consumers, and professionals serving people with disabilities. Explore SIFTS and check out our first adult domains around Communication and Physical Access surveys at https://sifts.ocali.org/. Watch for more adults SIFTS to come.
Updates from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
Budget updates from Governor DeWine
Budget testimony from Director Davis (begins around 3:22:00)
Check out the DODD's new website and resources for Direct Service Professionals (DSPs)
ocalimarcom	Uncategorized	 February 17, 2021 June 4, 2021 7 Minutes
OCALI NOW | Issue 24 • January 2021
Be InspirED in the New Year:
Free Professional Learning Opportunities to Support Successful Engagement of Diverse Learnings in Remote Learning Environments
The second half of the 2020-2021 school year is officially underway and many Ohio school districts continue to remain in remote learning environments. While remote learning isn't new for most, there are still things to learn about how to improve access for all learners, strengthen student engagement, and more.
In September 2020, OCALI, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education, launched the InspirED Virtual Learning Series. The vision for this virtual learning series has been to fill a need and help educators, administrators, and families find the information and resources they need to support learning and successful outcomes for their students or children during a very unique time of learning.
The learning series consists of Zoomcast sessions or recorded, facilitated conversations that are approximately 30 minutes each. All content is focused on increasing successful engagement of diverse learners in a remote/virtual instructional environment, linking the users with appropriate resources and tools. Topics range from using accessible educational materials (AEM) to developing a growth mindset to planning for learners who are deaf or hard of hearing, supporting multicultural families of children with disabilities, supporting PBIS in virtual environments, and more. What participants have had to say:
"I enjoyed these short, focused presentations and can easily share them with staff."
"I thought this was nicely organized. I enjoyed receiving information from various professionals, rather than just hearing one opinion."
"This was very informational, even as an instructional assistant. I can have a better outlook now on how to help the children in the areas they need help in."
"Great video series. Looking forward to seeing more."
Did you miss a session or want to go back re-watch or check out other sessions?
Check out the InspirED Video Gallery. Here, learners can access all previously aired sessions, which include interactive transcripts, audio description, and session materials. This gallery is also a great resource to share with colleagues and others who may benefit from the information.
Need professional development hours?
Learners have the opportunity to earn a professional development certificate by completing a survey at the end of each session. Did we mention that this is a FREE way to get professional development hours?
What's coming up?
Check out these upcoming sessions for January and February:
January 21: Online Instruction Based on Communication Mode
January 28: Why Checklists, Especially Now When the World is Up-Side Down
February 4: Maximizing Accessibility and Learning with Slide Presentations
February 11: Ready, Set, Action! Simple Strategies to Support Learning, Build Connections, and Offer Balance in an Ever-Changing World
February 18: Surviving the Pandemic with PBIS
February 25: Coming soon
The BEST Version of YOU in the New Year: Everyday Tips to Promote Self-Care
Unpredictability, flexibility, and uncertainty have all been part of our personal and professional lives since the pandemic hit last spring. With all of these changes to our daily lives, routines, and activities, maintaining a balanced life and taking care of yourself, while taking care of others in your care, might continue to seem out-of-reach. And trust us, you're certainly not alone. However, being at YOUR best is important for you and those in your care. This means giving attention to your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. As we head into the New Year, let's look at four simple tips that anyone can use and do every day to promote better self-care.
1. Hydrate
This may sound easy and familiar, but it still might be a challenge to do daily. Drinking plenty of water regulates the body, prevents fatigue, and promotes clear thinking. And, with all that many of us are juggling right now, having better concentration and focus are definitely needed. The common belief is that you should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. Easier said than done, right? If you struggle with drinking water during your day, here are a few things to consider. Find a fun, reusable water bottle. Add natural flavor, such as sliced lemons, oranges or cucumbers. Use a tracking app or create your own tracking sheet. No matter what approach you try, adequate water intake is essential to your well-being.
2. Music Matters
For those days when you are feeling exhausted, anxious or overwhelmed, consider tuning out the world and turning up some music. Research confirms that music can be effective for relaxation and stress management. Listening to upbeat music can make you feel more positive about life, while a slower tempo can offer a more soothing, relaxing option to release daily stress. Consider creating a self-care playlist with a variety of songs – a few upbeat, a couple slower-paced, and, of course, don't forget a few of your favorites, especially those you love to sing-along with!
3. Breathe
When moments of stress and anxiety start to build, introducing breathing techniques can help balance your energy, refocus your thoughts, and provide relaxation. There are a few different breathing practices to explore. Here one simple one that uses a shape to guide you. Start by imagining a square. Each step in this breathing practice is a corner of the square. As you count to four with each step, move from one corner to the next. Start at the top left corner and inhale for the count of four, then hold for the count of four, and exhale for the count of four and hold for the count of four. Repeat these steps a few times to calm your mind and body. Want to try a few other breathing techniques, check out the breathing cards in the Autism Center's Resource Gallery.
4. Recognize Your Feelings
It's important to recognize your feelings and to know that those feelings are ok. Go easy on yourself. When you hear that discouraging voice in your head or things just break down – send positive vibes to yourself – I believe in you! You got this! You are beautiful! Also, take a moment to focus on the positives – the little things that brought a smile to your face each day – maybe it was making your child laugh, capturing the attention of a student who has been struggling with remote learning, or successfully launching your first Zoom meeting. Create a weekly positive vibes journal, jot down one thing each day. At the end of the week take a minute to reflect and celebrate these moments!
This content is also available in video format in a previously aired episode of #HereToHelp.
Learning Media Assessment (LMA): An Introduction
A Free Webinar: January 27, 1-2 p.m.
As educators continue to navigate this pandemic, particularly in remote learning environments, understanding students' individualized needs is an important component of the learning process. For students who are blind or visually impaired, it is even more important to understand how they receive information for learning. This introductory, one-hour webinar is designed to teach the basics of a learning media assessment, why it matters, the process, and resources to support teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs), families, administrators, related service providers, and general educators. Learn more and register: https://deafandblindoutreach.org/meetings-events.
Ask Abbey: Developing Literacy Skills for Learners Who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
A Free, Interactive Learning Series: February 3, 10, & 17, 4 p.m.
This interactive, three-part learning series is designed to provide practical, easy-to-use strategies to increase auditory skills, visual language skills, and reading and writing print for learners who are deaf or hard of hearing. Each 30-minute session will include a 10-minute webinar with simple tips and strategies, followed by 20 minutes of live Q&A with Abbey Weaver, an itinerant teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing in Ohio. The sessions are free, but registration is required. A certificate of completion is available after completing the series. Join us for one or all three. Learn more at https://deafandblindoutreach.org/meetings-events.
Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council Seeks Public Comment on 2022-2026 Five Year State Plan
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council (Ohio DD Council) is seeking public comment on its Five-Year State Plan that will take effect from 2022-2026. Review and provide your feedback on the Five Year Plan here: https://ddc.ohio.gov/state-plan-comments.
Resources from Our Partner, Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD)
Dr. Gentile Mental Wellness Videos: Great information about mental health support/suicide prevention messages in these videos. https://dodd.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/dodd/about-us/mental-wellness
Dr. Sorg's Medical Moment Videos: Great COVID-related information. https://dodd.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/dodd/about-us/medical_moments
Reminder: Check out DODD's website for the latest on COVID information and other resources. https://dodd.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/dodd/about-us/covid_19_guidance/
Reminder: Statewide Support Teams (SSTs) can offer assistance for a variety of topics. Learn more at https://dodd.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/dodd/about-us/support-team/Support-Team.
ocalimarcom	Uncategorized	 January 14, 2021 January 21, 2021 7 Minutes
OCALI NOW | Issue 23 • November + December 2020
2020: A Year of Gratitude, Grit, and Greatness
(Including Some Grief and Groaning Along the Way)
I don't think I would be alone in saying that most of us are ready to tie a bow on 2020. From experiencing a global pandemic to political and social justice unrest, and learning how to "Zoom," social distance, and work and learn from home, this year was a year of unprecedented change and uncertainty. What everyone quickly learned was that life became different because our world became different—personally and professionally.
As I reflect back on the year, there are three words that come to mind—gratitude, grit, and greatness.
In the face of so much uncertainty, I believe the antidote is gratitude. But, expressing gratitude is something we have to continuously practice to perfect. Our thoughts can very easily turn to all of the challenges we've faced, particularly in a year like this. It seems everywhere we turn, there is another negative news story, another barrier to success, another roadblock in our way. So, at a time when it is so easy to have an attitude of, "Are you kidding me? Not another problem!," we must choose to have an attitude of gratitude.
I am grateful to work with a team of professionals who are committed to a mission. I am grateful for our many partners in education, technology, healthcare, business and community, policy, and government. I am grateful that we are living through a time in history that we will someday tell stories about, that our grandchildren or great nieces and nephews or other children in our lives will ask us about. It's not an easy time by any means, but it is definitely a historical time—and we need to appreciate that.
We must choose to find the things to be thankful for. And we must choose to express that gratitude to those who have supported us along the way.
While many things were constantly changing around us, one thing remained constant for our team—and that was OCALI's unwavering commitment to inspire change and promote access for people with disabilities. Supporting our community and bringing hope and inspiration to the people we serve, became more important than ever. We just had to rethink how to deliver on that mission.
I have never been more proud to serve our staff and to witness their hard work, dedication, innovation, and passion for serving people with disabilities and our collective community. Despite being physically separated and challenged to think big and outside of the box, our team found new ways to keep our important work moving forward—always laser focused on ensuring educators, professional, and families had access to accessible materials, online learning, and other resources during the pandemic. I can honestly say that some of our best and most creative and impactful work happened this year.
I recently came across this quote from former NFL player, Jerry Rice, and I think it summarizes how grit and perseverance contribute to moving forward—particularly when faced with adversity: "Today I will do what others won't so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't."
Greatness is defined as the quality of being great, distinguished, or eminent. Greatness is also about making an impact and serving others with our passion, talents, and skills. When I think about each member of our team at OCALI, I see greatness all around me. I see people working and serving beyond themselves. I see countless hours and enormous amounts of energy spent ensuring that people with disabilities and those who live with, love, and care for them have what they need, particularly during this unique time. I see barriers and adversity being turned into advantages and opportunities.
Throughout the year, it would have been easy to fall victim to our circumstances. And if I'm being honest, it's not always easy to choose the right mindset. But, once we realize that we have a choice when faced with adversity, we quickly learn that we are in control. Achieving greatness is not limited to who you are, what you do, where you live, or how you grew up. Anyone can do great things.
Grief and Groaning
While I try to remain hopeful and optimistic, I would be remiss to think that we haven't experienced some grief and groaning along the way this year—myself included. Whether that be from home schooling our children or not being able to play sports or participate in extra-curricular activities, or being quarantined because of the virus, our lives have been inconvenienced in many ways. But these inconveniences pale in comparison to the grief that many of us have felt—grieving the loss of family members or friends who have succumbed to this dreadful virus. Our hearts ache for those who have lost loved ones and we want you to know that we are here for you. THIS COMMUNITY is here for you.
The roller coaster ride of 2020 has certainly had its ups and downs and twists and turns. And while I am so proud of our staff and partners and everything we have accomplished this year, we are far from where we want to be, which means there's more work to be done. That's why we will continue to explore and learn new ways of listening, understanding, and modeling. We will continue to work together with our partners because we know that we cannot do it alone. When we collaborate, we bring new ideas and diverse perspectives that expand our thinking, practices, and work. And, ultimately, our impact.
As we prepare to tie a bow on this year and this unique time in history, remember: Be grateful and grind like no one else. Take time to grieve and groan as you need to—we're all human.
So long 2020. Great things await!
Making the Switch:
How OCALICON Transitioned from an In-Person to a Virtual Event
Like most events in 2020, OCALI made the decision to transition OCALICON from a face-to-face event to a completely virtual event.
While the format would be different, the conference planning team was committed to designing the same high-quality, best-in-class professional learning event that included the fun, creative, and collaborative energy that people had come to expect.
The team knew things would be different because our world is different. But "different" opened the door for new ideas and new ways of doing things. "Different" presented the team with "opportunities"—opportunities to think big and outside of the box.
Hear from the OCALICONLINE planning team and feedback from attendees, as they share about this year's conference experience, including some funny stories, touching moments, lessons learned, and tips for others planning virtual events.
What were you most nervous about in making the transition from an in-person event to a virtual event?
Are we allowed to say 'everything'? There was so much we were nervous about because there were so many unknowns. Initially, there were nerves about whether we were even making the right call to transition to online-only. We made a decision in May about an event in November, and some wondered if that was premature. Fortunately, time proved that right because the highest number of COVID cases in Ohio to that point hit the very week of the conference. But after the decision was made, implementation questions took center stage. Things like: How do we project attendance? How do our expenses change? How do we continue to create connections? What about exhibitors? Like the rest of the world, we were flying by the seat of our pants, making rapid-fire decisions and compressing our entire implementation process down to several months. But, we knew no matter how many questions and uncertainties we were being faced with, we had to figure out how to give this event our very best because educators, service providers, parents, and policy makers needed the content and expertise our staff, speakers and presenters provide.
As an organization committed to promoting access and inspiring change for people with disabilities, how did you ensure accessibility needs were met in an online environment?
Accessibility is our top priority, not only as an organization but also within the context of OCALICON—it's at the forefront of all that we do. There were several areas where accessibility played a significant role:
1) Preparing presenters. In some ways, our presenters are an extension of our reputation as an event, which means if we expect everything we create as an organization to be accessible, then we should expect the same of our presenters. To prepare them, we coached them on making accessible presentations and handouts, explained the importance of describing what's on their slides as a way to provide audio description for those who are blind or visually impaired, and instructed them on how to use Zoom chat in a way that was most helpful for those who are simultaneously using screen readers or watching a sign language interpreter.
2) Partnering with our event production company. We teamed up with Markey's Rental and Staging, an event production company that we historically used for our in-person event to help us bring OCALICONLINE to life. We worked closely with them to make sure that every single session was captioned and that they were able to place interpreters within the necessary sessions, using picture-in-picture functionality. We spend a lot of time educating our contractors and partners on our needs and what it actually means to make something accessible. If they can develop a deeper sense of what we are actually trying to accomplish and really understand why it matters so much, then we find that they also get on board with our mission and commitment to meeting the needs and expectations of everyone involved.
3) Developing the online platform. We have an in-house team of all-star web developers, and OCALICONLINE would have been non-existent without them. They are well-versed in creating and designing accessible websites, evaluating everything from color contrast to alt text in images to font sizes to running tests with screen readers to make sure everything is being tagged and coded properly. When you have an event that is 100% online and your website is your primary means of access, if you have people who can't navigate it or it's not user-friendly, you've lost them. The people we serve are too important to us for us to let that happen.
Your conference tagline is, "Welcome to the community. There's a place for you here." How did you maintain that sense of hospitality and community in a virtual setting?
One of the questions we began asking ourselves almost immediately after making the decision to flip the format was, "How can we still create a tangible experience in a completely virtual environment?" That's where the idea of creating a hospitality kit sprang forth. We decided we would create a custom-curated, locally-sourced thank-you box for all of our presenters, and an abbreviated version of that for all of our general attendees. We knew we were asking A LOT from our presenters this year, and we wanted to make sure they knew how grateful we were and that we cared about them. We also wanted our attendees to feel valued, so we created a fun little surprise that we sent to them through the mail – which also helped create buzz leading up to the event. We sincerely care about every attendee that participates in OCALICON, and we wanted people to know that and be able to hold something in their hands that was a tangible expression of our sincere gratitude and appreciation. Especially in 2020.
Once we had put something tangible in their hands, during the live event, we wanted to provide them with direct connections to our staff. We hosted OCALI Central, which was an all-day Zoom meeting managed by our staff. Staff members floated in and out all day, facilitating conversations and connecting with attendees around any questions they might have. People want to know there is a real person on the other end of the computer or the phone, so we place a high value on putting our attendees in direct contact with our staff and experts. As an organization, we want to be in the trenches as much as possible with the people we serve. So any opportunity where we can connect and chat with the community, we're going to do it. We crave the networking and interaction just as much as our attendees!
Give us some 'behind the scenes' scoop. What is something unexpected that happened during the event that caught you by surprise?
From an event production standpoint, there was one moment when Markey's lost power and internet connection, which caused most of our sessions to stall out for a bit and our own hearts to skip a beat. Markey's had teams in Louisville, Indianapolis, and Columbus, but the main hub was in Indy. Their building lost power, and since they were the source for streaming all of our sessions, if they went down, it was going to cause some major ripples. Thankfully, the outage was short-lived and most attendees likely weren't even aware. We worked through what seemed like a hundred-and-one contingencies for scenarios like that, but it just goes to show that you can't predict them all!
From an event design standpoint, we were all a bit surprised at how well the networking sessions went. We knew networking was one of the hallmarks of the in-person event, but how well was that going to translate to the online version? Would people even participate or say anything? We ended up hosting 111 separate networking sessions over the course of 2.5 days, and we as the conference planning team were floored by the level of interaction and engagement in those sessions.
Last, but certainly not least, was seeing Temple Grandin present from what appeared to be her kitchen table. Besides a wonderfully engaging, enlightening, and humorous keynote session, you also got a little peek into Dr. Grandin's personal life. She has a poster of the Hubble Telescope and a cow on her refrigerator! That was a special treat that you wouldn't get in the in-person event. I think everyone who attended will remember that forever because you can't necessarily duplicate candid and intimate moments like that in-person.
What advice or tips do you have for others who are considering planning a virtual event in 2021?
A primary piece of advice would be that you'll need to build in a lot of preparation and rehearsal time. In many ways, the virtual event is more like broadcasting, so it's important to think and prepare like a broadcaster. You need to be sure to stay on script and on schedule. Testing is also important – you don't want to wait to go live the day of the event and just hope it all works out. Can your system or platform handle hundreds, if not thousands, of simultaneous users? What's your backup plan if something goes down? We worked closely with our web development team to discuss, test, and run simulations as part of our event preparations.
Beyond that, the list of tips and advice could be endless, but maybe the best advice is actually to ignore everyone else's tips and advice. If you know your attendees and you know your event, then you're the only one who is going to know best how to provide what they need in the format they need. The people you serve are the people you need to listen to the most, even more so than any sort of industry expert. There was a heightened sense of information overload right from the onset of the pandemic, with industry experts specifically within the event and hospitality industries doling out all their predictions, advice and "10 Steps to a Better Virtual Event," which, in some ways, aren't all that helpful, and sometimes just got flat out overwhelming. The bottom line is that we marshaled the skills and assets we knew we had, acquired the ones we didn't, and dove into the deep end of the pool, hoping that someday we'd be able to fill our lungs with air again.
What Attendees Had to Say
"I thought the planning committee did an excellent job! I've participated in quite a few conferences since all the virtual stuff has been happening and OCALICONLINE has been the absolute best one so far. I am so impressed by the quality of the setup, ease of access, and variety of sessions."
"The online option was great for me. I am visually impaired so it created a great option for someone with anxiety related to transportation and navigating sessions."
"Despite the online nature of this year's event, I really felt like a community was created and fostered. Thank you to all of the OCALI team for all of their hard work and dedication to pull this off!"
"This conference was extremely well run and exceeded my expectations for an online event. Having the networking sessions kept the personal and interactive touch in an online format. I also loved the variety in sessions and having the opportunity to catch missing sessions on demand is a definite perk!"
"I absolutely loved attending OCALICONLINE 2020! Thank you, everyone, for your hard work in organizing this iconic conference. To make this happen in the middle of a pandemic was a fantastic feat. I have nothing but compliments for the presenters, and loved the meet and greets I attended. Very well done."
To check out the program from this year's event and to watch for details on OCALICON 2021, visit https://ocalicon.org.
InspirED Virtual Learning Series: January Sessions
As we continue to watch the COVID-19 pandemic evolve in Ohio, one thing we know for sure—the 2020-2021 school year looks different—for students, families, teachers, and administrators. With a shared vision for promoting access and inspiring change for people with disabilities, OCALI and the Ohio Department of Education's Office for Exceptional Children are partnering together to launch InspirED. This free virtual learning series is designed to help educators, administrators, and families find the information and resources they need to support learning and successful outcomes for their students or children during a very unique time of learning. Check out our upcoming sessions, which air on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. You can also catch previously aired sessions in our video archive. Learners have the opportunity to earn a professional development certificate by completing a survey at the end of each session.
Mark your calendar for these upcoming sessions:
January 7: Transition Planning
January 14: Strategies to Support Early Learning and Well-being in Changing Times
January 28: Why Checklists: Especially Now When the World is Upside Down
Learn more and register.
The Journey: A Free Webinar Series, 2021 Dates
To support County Boards of Developmental Disabilities in helping youth with complex needs and their families navigate the journey to from school to adult life, the Lifespan Transitions Center at OCALI has created a free, four-part webinar series, called The Journey, designed to support topics, such as:
Visit the archive of previously aired webinars, save the dates for new 2021 sessions.
New AIM and ATIM Courses
Check out these new Autism Internet Modules and Assistive Technology Internet Modules and earn grad credit. Certifications of completion also available.
AIM: Motor Differences: Learn about the three main body systems that impact motor control, identify aspects of typical development, and understand motor differences that can impact people with autism throughout the lifespan.
AIM: Girls on the Spectrum: Learn strategies to support girls on the spectrum during their school years, risks of incorrect or missed diagnoses, the benefits and challenges of 'camouflaging,' and strategies to improve outcomes.
ATIM: ATIM is designed to provide high-quality information and professional development on assistive technology (AT) for educators, professionals, families, persons with disabilities, and others. Explore modules covering a variety of topics.
[Video] Barb and Ron having a lighthearted conversation. "Same great content, [sort of] new channel! 10 minutes with Barb & Ron – New Episodes + Full Archive. NOW AVAILABLE AT OCALI!"
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ocalimarcom	Uncategorized	 December 3, 2020 December 10, 2020 14 Minutes