Join AHEAD for the 8th Annual Management Institutes!
January 30 - February 1, 2014
The Westin New Orleans Canal Place
New Orleans, Louisiana USA
Colorful New Orleans, Louisiana, is a lively place to be in the wintertime. We are excited to be gathering
in this multicultural city to bring you insightful teaching that will enhance and enliven your work.
The AHEAD Management Institutes offer disability services, resource, and TRiO professionals an
intensive opportunity to gain knowledge and skills from respected instructors in an interactive
learning setting. AHEAD will apply for pre-approval for CEU’s from the CRCC for this program.
Each attendee will choose one of four topical tracks to attend all day
Thursday and Friday of the Institute:
Institute #1:
Institute #2:
Institute #3:
Institute #4:
Social Model at Work: Shifting Office Practices
ASD from A-Z: How to Serve this Increasing Population with Pro-active, Positive, and
“Penniless” Approaches
The Institute for New and Newer Disability Services Managers
Working with Students with Disabilities: Services & Programming Beyond
Accommodations (Institute #4 is designed primarily for TRiO Program professionals, but
is open to all interested attendees)
Plus a Saturday morning plenary session for ALL attendees:
Access Always, in All Ways: A Clear Standard for Access to Instruction
Key Deadlines
Discounted registrations are available until December 20, 2013
The discounted hotel rates are available until January 6, 2014
Accessibility requirements must be registered by January 10, 2014
Institute #1: Social Model at Work: Shifting Office Practices
Thursday, January 30, 2014 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (6.5 hours direct instruction)
Friday, January 31, 2014 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (6.5 hours direct instruction)
Adam Meyer, University of Central Florida
Kimberly Tanner, Valdosta State University
Margaret Camp, University of South Carolina, Upstate
At the past two AHEAD conferences, there has been an increased emphasis on the social model of
disability as an emerging focus for higher education disability offices to consider in working with the
campus community and students with disabilities. The primary idea is that the greatest barrier for
students with disabilities is not the disability itself but rather the environment and the interaction
between the person and the environment. The focal point of accessibility and accommodations should
be on the limitations of the environment as much as and even more so than on the limitations of the
student. This shift in thinking can have a profound impact on how a disability office conducts its
operations.
This institute session is designed for people already familiar with the social model of disability and
interested in incorporating the concepts into office practices. The ideal attendee will be able to
influence changes in their office but are unsure how to best make this happen. During these highly
hands-on and interactive two days, participants will work with each other to review and to consider
modification of the following:
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Office mission statement
Documentation practices
Initial interview with student
Office language and terminology
Accommodation letter process and language
Syllabus statement
Website and brochure language
Position descriptions
Test scheduling practices
Faculty outreach
Audience: Intermediate to Advanced
Institute #2
ASD from A-Z: How to Serve this Increasing Population with Pro-active, Positive, and “Penniless”
Approaches
Thursday, January 30, 2014 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (6.5 hours direct instruction)
Friday, January 31, 2014 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (6.5 hours direct instruction)
Garrett Westlake, Arizona State University, STEM Force Technology
Michelle Rigler, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Lisa Meeks, University of California, San Francisco
Panelists will guide participants through the development of positive approaches to working with
students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including ready-to-go relatable presentations for faculty.
Day 1: Panelists will guide participants through an exploration of the triad of deficits, DSM-V criterion,
documentation guidelines, and the aligning of accommodations in a higher education setting. Following
the discussion of the deficits inherent in ASD, participants will be invited to change their lens and review
the positive aspects of ASD while discussing methods for fostering these positive traits in a higher
education setting. Panelists will share methods for developing partnerships with other campus
departments, faculty, parents, police, and campus leadership to best support this group of students.
The second half of the day, participants will be split into smaller groups to review vignettes that include
ASD related challenges (developed from real life scenarios). Groups will have a facilitator from the panel
to guide them through the process of effective student and situational management. Each vignette is
very detailed and includes 2-3 action items. Solutions will focus on (1) The immediate action, (2) A
preventative (if applicable) action, (3) Relevant disability resource actions/preventative measures, and
(4) university collaborations to address future issues.
At the conclusion of day 1, the panel will reconvene to discuss the legal aspects of working with ASD
students including relevant OCR judgments and involuntary withdrawal.
Day 2: Participants will engage with the panel on a myriad of topics that include: ASD support groups,
student engagement, study abroad, partnerships with student groups, graduate school, high stakes
testing, the use of technology with the ASD population, entrepreneurship with the ASD population, and
employment and future planning.
The second half of day two of this workshop is focused on coaching, mentoring, supervised study, and
time-management strategies within the framework of a comprehensive programming model.
Participants will gain an understanding of a comprehensive program, but will also be empowered to
“pick and choose” from programmatic support options that best fit their campus needs. Participants will
be introduced to a comprehensive program and how it was developed with no commitment of
institutional funding. The development plan, fiscal plan, and sustainability plan for this program will be
shared.
Throughout the workshop, panelist will rotate with participants for breakfast and lunch to foster a more
conversational style of learning and will be available for follow-up questions and topics.
Audience: Intermediate to Advanced
Institute #3
The Institute for New and Newer Disability Services Managers
Thursday, January 30, 2014 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (6.5 hours direct instruction)
Friday, January 31, 2014 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (6.5 hours direct instruction)
Carol Funckes, University of Arizona
Designed for disability resource directors, coordinators, and staff members who are new to the field or
seeking to refresh their approach, this two-day Institute offers a comprehensive overview of the issues
that shape postsecondary disability services in today’s changing climate. No longer only a service office
for students, the disability resource office is an increasingly vital center of information, collaboration,
and technical assistance for the campus community. Higher education administrators, faculty, and
students rely on disability resource personnel to provide effective consultation and services to create
inclusive, welcoming campus environments.
Through lecture, discussion, and resource sharing, we will explore how legal and philosophical
frameworks intersect with the practical realities of working in higher education today and identify
opportunities for personal and programmatic growth and innovation. We will discuss strategies for
moving our campuses beyond a compliance narrative and provide the opportunity for participants to
develop a professional network and find confidence in their role as campus leaders. Topics to be
covered include:
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the basics of disability service in higher education, including our legal foundation, frames of
disability, the importance of disability studies scholarship, and the emerging body of knowledge and
practice related to universal design;
promising approaches for using interview and a variety of forms of information, including third-party
documentation, as tools for assessing barriers and planning individual strategies;
strategies for developing and refining mission and vision and for engaging in strategic planning to
frame the institution-wide role of the disability resource office, whether that “office” is one person
doing the work in combination with other responsibilities or a large staff of professionals;
campus training and outreach: collaboration, consultation, and institutional advocacy and
leadership;
office management: record keeping, resource management, staff development, and program review
and assessment.
Audience: Novice
Institute #4
Working with Students with Disabilities: Services & Programming Beyond Accommodations
(This session is designed primarily for TRiO Program professionals, but all are welcome)
Thursday, January 30, 2014 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (6.5 hours direct instruction)
Friday, January 31, 2014 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (6.5 hours direct instruction)
Rhonda Rapp, Ph.D., St. Mary’s University, Texas
With lowered budgets, and ever increasing expectations, it is more important than ever to get a bigger
bang for your buck and to find ways that will significantly improve your chances of achieving your
programmatic goals and objectives.
Students with disabilities are the fastest growing educational subpopulation today, and while these
students are more like students without disabilities than they are different, it is imperative that you
know and understand not only how various disabilities impact educational programming, but also how
to ensure that these students successfully complete your programs.
In this intensive, hands-on workshop, you will experience first-hand the functional impact of a variety of
disabilities and how tutoring, supplemental instruction, mentoring, academic advising, social
programming, bonding with fellow students and program personnel, and even field-trips are impacted
by an individual’s disability.
This workshop is primarily for TRiO administrators, staff and faculty, Learning Assistance Center
administrators and tutors, and the administrators and faculty of Learning and Living communities and
will include time for Q&A. However, this session is open to all interested parties.
Participants will explore and understand the functional impact of a variety of disabilities, as well as
explore counseling, academic, and other programming issues that are impacted by a student’s disability.
Participants will also learn and understand strategies for working with students with disabilities in a
variety of settings and situations.
Saturday Session for All Attendees!
Access Always, in All Ways: A Clear Standard for Access to Instruction
Saturday, February 1, 2014, 9:00 am – 11:30 am (2.25 hours direct instruction)
L. Scott Lissner, The Ohio State University, AHEAD President
AHEAD continues to explore the implications of this year’s enforcement efforts through litigation by the
Departments of Justice and Education to create a consistent legal standard for access to instruction
using Information and Communications Technology.
This presentation will review cases involving Louisiana Tech, UC Berkeley, South Carolina Technical
College System, and others related to instructional accessibility in the physical and virtual environment.
We will discuss promising practices in how institutions can evaluate and improve their approach to
access and legal compliance, while offering strategies that you can take back to your campuses.
Institute Faculty
Margaret Camp, M.A.
With a Master's degree in education concentrating on school psychology from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Science degree from Guilford College, Margaret serves as the
Director of Disability Services and ADA Coordinator for University of South Carolina, Upstate.
Margaret's background includes teaching in the Montessori to children, as well as teaching adults at
Duke University. She has worked for Head Start, Project Autism, and the North Carolina Education
Research Council. She serves AHEAD on the Standing Committee for Professional Development, and
most recently taught and facilitated the Out of the Box training track at the 2013 AHEAD Conference.
Carol Funckes, M.A.
Carol is the Associate Director of the University of Arizona’s Disability Resources and a Past President of
AHEAD. She served as the Chair of AHEAD’s Standing Committee on Professional Development, was a
trainer for Project SHIFT, a federally-funded grant on progressive service delivery, and is an Advisory
Board member for pepnet 2. Carol has worked in postsecondary disability services for over 30 years, is a
frequent presenter at national and international conferences, and conducts on-site reviews of disability
resource service offices. At the University of Arizona, Carol works with a staff of Access Consultants,
technology staff , and service coordinators responsible for coordinating accommodations for students,
and resources for faculty.
Carol represented AHEAD in collaboration with the University of Arizona to participate in a U.S.
Department of State-sponsored Professional Fellows EMPOWER Program to the Ukraine in Fall 2013.
L. Scott Lissner, M.A.
A popular presenter, consultant, and mentor, Mr. Lissner has served as the ADA Coordinator for The
Ohio State University since January of 2000. Lissner is an Associate of the John Glenn School of Public
Policy and serves as a lecturer for the Moritz College of Law, the Knowlton School of Architecture, and
Disability Studies. Lissner is serving his two-year term as President of the Association on Higher
Education And Disability and serves on the Board of Directors for ADA-OHIO and the Editorial Board for
Thompson Publications’ 504 Compliance Manual. Lissner publishes, presents, and consults frequently on
disability issues for AHEAD and numerous organizations and institutions. His publications include The
Impact of the ADAAA of 2008 on Higher Education, Thompson Publications; “Universal Design in the
Institutional Setting: Weaving a Philosophy into Campus Planning” in Universal Design: From
Accessibility to Zoning (J. Cowley-Evans & J. Nasser (Eds.), and From Legal Principle to Informed Practice
with J. E. Jarrow. In 2013 Lissner participated in the U.S. Department of State’s Public Diplomacy
Program, visiting disability programs and communities throughout Indonesia.
Lisa Meeks, Ph.D.
Lisa specializes in working with individuals with ASD during periods of transition and has consulted on
the topic at some of the leading colleges in the US, including The University of Pennsylvania and
Columbia University. Her work is especially relevant to transitions into college and from college to work.
She is committed to advancing the employability of individuals with ASD and serves on the Board of
Directors for Mindspark Training Academy, an organization dedicated to employing individuals with ASD.
Lisa's programmatic experience includes the development of support groups for students with ASD at
the University of Alabama, John Carroll University, and Case Western Reserve University. Lisa frequently
presents on ASD topics at conferences and workshops across the United States and recently signed her a
contract with Jessica Kingsley Publishers for her first book entitled, It's All in My Head.
Adam Meyer, M.A.
Adam Meyer is currently at the University of Central Florida’s Student Disability Services following four
years at Eastern Michigan University and nearly five years at Saint Louis University. Adam was part of a
now completed national U.S. Department of Education grant that explored ways in which concepts of
social justice could be more regularly and routinely incorporated into the operations of the disability
services office. This grant project fell very much in line with how Adam has wanted to operate since
entering the field. Adam is currently on the AHEAD Standing Committee for Professional Development,
which seeks to develop ways to create greater professional growth opportunities for AHEAD members.
Adam has presented on the social model of disability, documentation practices, and disability office
practices at various times over the past four national AHEAD conferences.
Rhonda Rapp, Ph.D.
Dr. Rapp is currently the Coordinator of Disability Support Services, a Counselor, and Adjunct Faculty
member at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. She is a former Director of a TRiO-SSS program
and former Lead Trainer for a TRiO Training grant. Dr. Rapp has been in the field of disability services for
over 30 years and has provided a variety of services for students with disabilities including
psychoeducational diagnostic assessments, accommodation prescription and implementation, academic
advising, career counseling, transition services, and individual and group counseling. She has also
created and presented training focused on working with students with disabilities for faculty
(kindergarten through postsecondary) and support personnel. Besides working full time at St. Mary’s
University, she is also the disability consultant for the Kamehameha School System in Hawaii and a
Technical Advisor for AHEAD.
Michelle Rigler, Ed.D.
Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education-Severe Affective Needs in 1998
from Western Michigan University. This degree focused heavily on educating students with autism.
While working full time as a special education teacher, she earned her Master of Arts degree from
Prescott College in Special Education-Severe Affective Needs. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, she began her
career in higher education in 2004. Following the defense of her dissertation which focused on
improving the retention of college students with disabilities, she received a Doctorate in Education from
the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) in Learning and Leadership with a focus on Higher
Education Administration.
Her career in higher education has focused on creating equal access for students, faculty, staff, and
visitors with disabilities. By remaining fluent in the language of the Americans with Disabilities ActAmendments Act through all of its changes, she has been able to create and manage an effective
Disability Resource Center at UTC. In this role, she has been able to rejuvenate her passion for studying
and working with students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In partnership with colleagues, she
developed a successful comprehensive and holistic program to support students with ASD as they
transition to and move through their college careers with a hopeful outcome of appropriate career
attainment.
Michelle is a professional member of several organizations, and served in many leadership roles within
these organizations. In addition, she has presented at several local, regional, national, and international
conferences regarding the varying aspects of accommodations and programming for people with ASD.
Kimberly Tanner, Ed.D.
Kimberly Tanner is the Director of the Access Office at Valdosta State University. She received her Ed.D.
in Adult and Career Education at VSU in 2008. She completed her B.S. in Marine Affairs and her M.S. in
Human Development and Family Studies: College Student Personnel at the University of Rhode Island in
1993 and 1996, respectively. She has been trained as a Diversity Trainer through the National
Multicultural Institute and as a University System of Georgia Campus Mediator through the Consortium
on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution program. Kimberly is a member of the AHEAD Technology
Standing Committee, the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Disability
Knowledge Community, and the Georgia Board of Regents Administrative Committee on Learning
Disorders. She is the Past Chair of the Regents Administrative Committee on Disability Services and the
Valdosta Mayor's Council for Persons with Disabilities. Kimberly was selected as one of 25 Disability
Services Providers across the country to participate in the three year Department of Education funded
grant, Project ShIFT (Shaping Inclusion through Foundational Transformation).
Garret Westlake, Ph.D.
Dr. Westlake has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. He holds an M.Ed.
in Special Education from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, and a BA in Cognitive Science from
Carleton College, where he graduated with distinction.
A higher education professional for over 10 years, Dr. Westlake has served as the Coordinator of
Disability Services for Volunteer State Community College, and in leadership roles for AHEAD, Student
Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), and the Tennessee Department of Education. He is
currently an Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Disability Resources at Arizona State University.
Dr. Westlake is an expert on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), student development, and
entrepreneurship in higher education. He is a respected speaker and consultant appearing at national
conferences, colleges and universities, and local parent and advocacy organizations. He currently
serves as a board member for Phoenix-based New Way Academy’s Bridgeway Transition Program.
Host Hotel
All housing and events associated with the 2014 AHEAD Management Institutes will be held at the The
Westin New Orleans Canal Place. AHEAD has secured sleeping rooms for AHEAD Management
Institute attendees nearly 50% off the hotel’s standard rate.
The room rate for AHEAD attendees is $159 + tax per night for a single or double occupancy room.
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Reservations can be made by calling the hotel’s toll-free reservation line directly at: 1-888627-8180, and asking for the “AHEAD Group Rate,” before January 6, 2014. Reservations can
also be made online by visiting:
https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/booking/reservation?id=1310230208&k
ey=AD377
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Based on availability, the hotel will extend the group rate up to three days before and after
the event if attendees want to add on some "get-away" time in the Big Easy.
The Westin New Orleans Canal Place
100 Rue Iberville
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 566-7006
In case you’d like to “visit” the hotel in advance, please feel welcome to check out:
www.westin.com/NewOrleans
Registration Information
There are several registration options for the 2014 AHEAD Management Institutes:
ONLINE
ahead.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=1
EMAIL
Visit ahead.org/conferences/management-institutes to download a Word registration form and email
to ahead@ahead.org
FAX or MAIL
Complete the following registration form and return with payment information on or before January 20,
2014 to:
AHEAD Registration
107 Commerce Centre Drive, Suite 204
Huntersville, NC 28078
Fax: 704-948-7779
Register by December 20, 2013 for the very best value!
Questions? Call AHEAD at 704-947-7779
2014 Management Institutes Registration Form
January 30 – February 1, 2014 • The Westin New Orleans Canal Place • New Orleans, LA, USA
Return completed form with payment to AHEAD:
Email: ahead@ahead.org or Fax: 704-948-7779
Mail: AHEAD Registration / 107 Commerce Centre Drive, Suite 204 / Huntersville, NC 28078 USA
Part 1 - Registrant Information:
First Name:
Last Name:
Job Title:
Institution:
Department:
Street Address:
City:
State/Province:
Zip/Postal Code:
Telephone:
Fax:
Email:
Part 2 - Registration Information (select one):
__ I will attend and pay the EARLY BIRD rate for AHEAD & TRiO Staff Members of $339
(for registrations received on or before December 20, 2013)
__ I will attend and pay the REGULAR rate for AHEAD & TRiO Staff Members rate of $389
(for registrations received after December 20, 2013)
__ I will attend and pay the NON-AHEAD, NON-TRiO EARLY BIRD rate of $399
(for registrations received on or before December 20, 2013)
__ I will attend and pay the NON-AHEAD, NON-TRiO rate of $459
(for registrations received after December 20, 2013)
Registration includes all materials, continental breakfasts, and refreshment breaks. Travel expenses,
hotel accommodations, and additional meals are not included in the registration fee. Refunds can only
be provided for cancellations received in writing before December 20, 2013. A $75.00 administrative fee
will be charged for all cancellations. We regret that no refunds can be issued after December 20, 2013
for any reason, but can be transferred to another attendee from the same institution.
Part 3 – Program Selection
In addition to the Saturday morning plenary program, I am going to attend the following two-day
session (select one)
___
Institute #1: Social Model at Work: Shifting Office Practices
___
Institute #2: ASD from A to Z: How to Serve this Increasing Population with Pro-active, Positive,
and “Penniless” Approaches
___
Institute #3: The Institute for New and Newer Disability Resource & Service Managers and
Directors
___
Institute #4: Working with Students with Disabilities: Services & Programming Beyond
Accommodations (This session is designed primarily for TRiO professionals, but all are welcome)
Part 4 - Programmatic Accommodation Information:
___
Please check here if you will require any disability-related programmatic accommodations for
the Institute. A member of the AHEAD conference staff will contact you directly to make
necessary arrangements. The deadline for notifying AHEAD of accessibility requirements is
Wednesday, January 8, 2014.
Part 5 - Payment Information:
Amount Due: $____________
Form of Payment Enclosed (select one and provide appropriate information regarding form of payment):
____Check payable to AHEAD (FEIN# 34-1265325)
Check #: ______________________________ ___________________________________________
____Purchase Order for AHEAD (FEIN# 34-1265325)
Purchase Order #: __________________________________________________________________
____MasterCard/VISA/American Express/Discover
Account Number (16 digits):
___________________________________________________________________________________
Exp. Date: ____/____
Three digit security code: ______
Billing Address for this Credit Card Account
___________________________________________ _________________________________________
Cardholder’s Name (as it appears on card):
___________________________________________ _________________________________________
Daytime Telephone Number of Cardholder:
___________________________________________ _________________________________________
Cardholder’s Signature:
___________________________________________ _________________________________________
Register by December 20, 2013 for the very best value!
Questions? Call Valerie Spears-Jarrell at 704-947-7779 or via email: valerie@ahead.org