Tennessee Association on Higher Education and Disability
2015 Spring Conference & Business Meeting
March 11-13, 2015
Austin Peay State University
Morgan University Center
Clarksville, TN
Welcome to ASPU and Clarksville, TN
It is my honor, on behalf of the Tennessee Association of Higher Education and Disability (TNAHEAD) to invite
you to Clarksville, TN, March 11-13, 2015, for our annual business meeting and conference at Austin Peay
State University.
This year we join with you in celebrating two historic events: the 25th anniversary of the signing of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, and the 20th anniversary of our own TNAHEAD! While we celebrate our
history, we also look to the future; how we grow as professionals and in the support and resources we offer
others - thus our theme for this year, “Honoring Our History and Planning Our Future through Innovative
Partnerships.”
The festivities will begin Wednesday evening, March 11, with the President’s Reception from 7:20 to 9:30 p.m.
Coffee, tea and desserts will be provided, and many of you may want to get together earlier for dinner. Watch
your e-mail and the TNAHEAD website at www.tnahead.org for more details.
Then Thursday morning, March 12, we will celebrate our history with a panel of former TNAHEAD presidents
sharing their memories. Our special guest speaker then will be Donna Sparger, the founding president of
TNAHEAD, to talk about the “early days” and how far we’ve come.
By Thursday afternoon, we will focus on our future, with presentations about Tennessee’s Accessibility Task
Force; about specific efforts in TBR, UT and private institutions; and we’ll have break-out sessions about
innovative activities from three of our institutions. We’ll wrap up Thursday’s events with an open discussion
for new professionals and more seasoned veterans to talk about current challenges, questions and topics of
interest.
Friday morning will be our annual TNAHEAD Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony, followed by the
Tennessee State of Affairs topics.
Please join me in thanking Lynette Taylor, Janet Norman and Austin Peay State University for hosting our
conference this year. Special thanks also go to our conference planning team: Michelle Rigler, Janet Norman,
Kathy Lutes-Ebel, and Kim Ochsenbein.
We look forward to seeing you in March at APSU!
Linda Nickell
TNAHEAD President 2014-15
TNAHEAD CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 2015
MARCH 11-13
Wednesday March 11
7:30-9:30
President’s Reception: Hilton Garden Inn
Thursday morning, March 12
8:00-9:00
Registration and Breakfast
9:00-9:30
President’s Welcome
9:30-10:30
Presidents panel and Celebrations
10:30-10:45
Break
10:45-12:15
Guest Speaker: Donna Sparger
12:15-1:30
Lunch
Thursday afternoon, March 12
1:30-2:45
Breakout sessions
Chester Goad, EdD: WRITE ON! How to Submit to JPED & Other Outlets to Boost
Your Professional Profile and More Importantly to Further OUR Cause
2:45-3:00
3:00-4:15
4:30-5:00
5:00-6:15
Ann Satkowiak: Universal Pathways to Employment (UPEP): a community
college’s experience with a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Labor
(DoL), Office for Disability Employment Programs (ODEP)
Bryon Kluesner, PhD & Holly Zuckerman: Accessible Technology Initiative
at UTC: Everyone Achieves
Break
Accessibility TN (update)
Phillip Voorhees, Michelle Rigler, Melissa Smith: State of the State:
Accessible Technology
Question and Discussion
Disability 101 and beyond (Optional session to talk through current trends)
Friday morning, March 13
8:00-9:30
TNAHEAD Business meeting
9:30-9:45
Break
9:45-12:00
Tennessee State of Affairs
 Discuss AHEAD policy committee-developing TNAHEAD policy committee
 Vocational Rehabilitation
 Veterans Affairs
 Legislator
12:00-12:30
Closing
GUEST SPEAKER: THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015
Keynote Speaker: Donna Sparger
Dona Sparger grew up in rural NC on a tobacco farm and earned a BS Degree in Business Education and an
MA Degree in Counseling from Appalachian State University in Boone NC. She took additional coursework at
the universities of North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Memphis and New York in preparation to become a
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
She started her career as a teacher for four years, with her experience ranging from elementary to high school to
college in NC, VA and MD. After earning her MA, she worked as a rehabilitation counselor in Knoxville, TN
for over four years.
In 1975 Dona was recruited to direct the Tennessee Client Assistant Program, which was one of the original 13
federally funded 3-year pilot projects established to determined the need for state advocacy programs for
persons with disabilities who were seeking rehabilitation services. The research findings of these 13 projects
are responsible for the federally mandated advocacy programs in all states.
In 1978 Dona was recruited to The University of Memphis to develop a program for students with disabilities.
She directed the program for 25 years until she retired in 2003, developing, growing and expanding the program
every year to culminate into a quality, comprehensive program serving over 900 students representing a wide
range of disabilities. She actively participated in relevant professional associations during this time, especially
AHEAD and TN-AHEAD.
Throughout her career, Dona has received numerous awards for her professional work and service, but the ones
she cherishes the most are the Ron Blosser Professional Service Award from AHEAD; the Martin Luther King,
Jr. Award and the Professional of the Year Award from the University of Memphis; the Pyramid Award from
the Student Affairs Division at the U of M; and last, but not least, the Dona Sparger Professional Service Award
being named in her honor by TN-AHEAD.
Dona has continued to stay active in retirement with a variety of volunteer work, including serving on the board
of her neighborhood association, delivering Meals on Wheels, and most recently writing a grant (which was
funded) for a residential facility serving women who are survivors of trafficking, drug addiction and prostitution
and who are just being released from incarceration. She also does a lot of work for her beloved Balmoral
Presbyterian Church, including writing a policies and procedures manual for her church, serves on the
Operations Committee, the Outreach Committee and the Human Resources Team. She is in her second term as
an active elder and is in her second term serving on the Committee on Ministry for the Mid-South Presbytery.
Her next undertaking is to start a prison ministry at her church. She loves travel and has been fortunate enough
to make three trips to Europe since retiring.
QUESTIONS PLEASE!
In addition to the open Q&A, attendees are welcome to submit questions prior
to the conference as well to ensure best technical answers and advice, simply
email them to Michelle Rigler at Michelle-Rigler@utc.edu
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS & INFORMATION
There will be two choices this year for your stay in Clarksville, TN, the Hampton Inn & Suites
and The Hilton Garden Inn
Conveniently located close to the Fort Campbell Military Installation and just ten minutes from Austin Peay
State University, the Hampton Inn & Suites Clarksville, TN offers a friendly base for guests travelling on
business or vacationing in Clarksville, TN. The hotel is also within short driving distance of numerous
restaurants and shopping at Governor’s Square Mall. From our comfortable hotel in Clarksville, TN, guests can
enjoy easy access to historic downtown Clarksville and the iconic Music City of Nashville, TN.
Settle into an inviting guest room, equipped with modern amenities designed to help you feel at home and stay
productive, including a microwave, a refrigerator and a clock radio. Check emails with free WiFi at the
ergonomic desk and watch the 42-inch TV as you recline on the clean and fresh Hampton bed®. Inviting suites
are also available at this Clarksville, TN hotel, offering additional space and a comfortable sleeper sofa.
Start your day right with Hampton’s free hot breakfast buffet, buy snacks and essentials from the 24-hour Suite
Shop and enjoy free tea and coffee in the hotel’s bright lobby at any time of the day or night. Work out in the
free fitness center, swim in the indoor pool or relax by one of the welcoming fireplaces on the patio, which
extends from the poolside to the hotel’s exterior.
The TNAHEAD rate for this hotel is $109 + tax
Hotel Website:
http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/tennessee/hampton-inn-and-suites-clarksville-CKVTNHX/index.html
Hampton Inn and Suites
3091 Clay Lewis Road
Clarksville, TN 37040
T: (931) 378 – 6070
F: (931) 378 – 6071
Conveniently located just off I-24 at Exit 4, The Hilton Garden Inn Clarkesville hotel is adjacent to the
Clarksville-Montgomery County Corporate Business Park, minutes from Fort Campbell and Austin Peay State
University, and less than an hour from Music City USA - Nashville, Tennessee.
Sleep deeply in a spacious guest room with the signature Garden Sleep System® bed and the added extra of an
in-room hospitality center with a refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker. Energize with a workout in the fully
equipped fitness center or relax with a swim in the heated indoor pool or whirlpool.
Spacious guest rooms and suites feature one king-sized bed or two double signature Garden Sleep System®
beds and a modern 32-inch LCD flat-screen TV with HD programming. Complimentary wired and wireless
internet access and an executive work desk with an ergonomic chair helps you stay productive on the road.
Enjoy setting your own pace with an in-room hospitality center which features a microwave, refrigerator and
coffeemaker
The TNAHEAD rate for this hotel is $83.00 + tax
Hotel Website:
http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/tennessee/hilton-garden-inn-clarksvilleBNACVGI/index.html
Hilton Garden Inn Clarksville
290 Alfred Thun Road,
Clarksville, Tennessee
Main Phone: 9316471096
TNAHEAD SPRING CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM MARCH 11-13, 2015
Name _______________________________________________________________________________
Job Title _____________________________________________________________________________
Department Name _____________________________________________________________________
Institution ___________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________State __________________ Zip _____________
Telephone number _________________________ Fax number _________________________________
Email address __________________________________
Accommodation for the Conference: Please submitted by Wednesday, March 4, 2015
_____ Sign language interpreter
_____ Oral interpreter
_____ Deaf-blind interpreter
_____ Material in alternative format: _____Braille
_____E-text
_____ Other (please describe) ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Special dietary needs: If you require a special diet for Thursday’s lunch or for the Business Breakfast please describe.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Conference Registration Fee:
Early Registration Fee
Onsite Registration Fee
_____ $90.00
_____ $115.00
Send Conference Registration form and payment (payable to “TNAHEAD”)
Michelle Rigler, Education Chair
Director, Disability Resource Center
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
615 McCallie Ave-Dept 2953
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Michelle-Rigler@utc.edu
423-425-4008
423-425-2288 (fax)
CONFERENCE REFUND POLICY
A request for full refund of the conference registration fee must be submitted in writing
by March 4, 2015
Requests received after this date will not be considered unless a person is unable to
attend due to medical conditions, active military duty, jury duty, or a death in the
immediate family. After March 4, 2015 refund deadline, only 50% of the registration fees
will be refunded.
“Postsecondary Pride”
Pride will be the center of focus again this year as we decorate our TNAHEAD
tables with pride. Please bring your school’s colors, mascots, and memorabilia
once again for the center tables. This has been such a fun and competitive show
of spirit. We all look forward to these creative displays.
Please go to the TNAHEAD website for updates and
additional information regarding the conference!