In its 6th year, the annual educational conference of the Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society has added even more Special Needs Topics and moved to a bigger venue. Scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2012, the conference features educational, medical and family-based topics. The conference is presented by the Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society with the support of Lamar National Bank, Region VIII Education Service Center, and surrounding disability-based organizations.
“Our annual day conference is such a wonderful resource for both parents and educators,” said Sabra Vaughan, board president of RRVDSS. “The Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society has grown so much over the past 5 years due to the devotion and hard work of our members and community supporters.” explained Vaughan. “We want to share our knowledge and resources with family members and educators of persons with all intellectual disabilities.”
The keynote speaker this year is Dr. Patrick Schwarz. Dr. Schwarz is a dynamic and engaging professor, author, motivational speaker and leader in Education (Inclusive Education, Special Education, General Education, Educational Leadership) and Human Services. He is a professor at National-Louis University, Chicago. Patrick’s company is Creative Culture Consulting LLC. He is the author of From Disability to Possibility, You’re Welcome (with Paula Kluth), Just Give Him the Whale (with Paula Kluth) and Pedro’s Whale (with Paula Kluth). His website is www.patrickschwarz.com.
Other keynote presenters include Craig Blackburn and special guest Heather Hancock. Craig and Heather are both self-advocates with Down syndrome and have been engaged for 10 years. Craig lives on his own and is a true example of how people with Down syndrome or any disability truly can be included in all aspects of the community. Craig will share with us how to incorporate his motto “WE CAN” into every phase of life so that it becomes a way of life.
“We are so excited to offer two keynote presentations this year,” states Krissy Crites, Executive Director of RRVDSS. “We want to show all members of our community that inclusion for individuals with disabilities is possible. By bringing in Craig and Dr. Schwarz and by moving our conference to the Love Civic Center; we hope to bring in more parents, educators, and community members.”
Krissy also said, “We want everyone in this community to see how important inclusion of individuals with disabilities is and what we need to do to make that possible. We want the educators and the parents to see the potential of the children in our community and that is why we offer this conference every year.”
The conference will be held at the Love Civic Center with Sandwich Etc and Cozy Cappuccino providing breakfast, lunch, and a snack. In addition to the two keynote presentations, break-out sessions will be offered with topics such as “Video Modeling,” “Early Speech and Language Skills,” “Making Language and Testing Accessible with Assistive Technology,” “Navigating the Social Maze for the Individual with Autism,” “Universal Design, Differentiated Instruction, and Curricular Adaptations,” “From the IEP to C-Scope Curriculum to STARR,” and many more.
Registration is $40 per person and includes lunch, a continental breakfast and afternoon snack. RRVDSS members will receive a $5 discount. CEU’s will also be available for educators who attend the conference. Registration is requested by September 29th, 2012, but will be taken after that date for an additional $15 fee. For parents needing financial assistance to attend, please contact RRVDSS as soon as possible. To register online, visit www.redriverdss.org/conference. Registration brochures can be requested by calling (903) 783-1922.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition, estimated at one per 733 births. It is caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. The characteristics of Down syndrome can vary widely from child to child. While some children with Down syndrome need much medical attention, others lead very healthy and independent lives. Please contact RRVDSS for more information on Down syndrome. RRVDSS is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities through support, education, awareness and advocacy. Started by parents of a young man with Down syndrome in 2004, the organization serves a 12-county region in northeast Texas, southwest Arkansas and southeast Oklahoma.