Program for Autism & Advocacy Conference, Oct. 27 (Fri.), NYC, free
AUTISM AND ADVOCACY: A CONFERENCE OF WITNESS AND HOPE
Friday, October 27, 8:30a.m- 5 p.m.
Fordham University McNally Amphitheatre
140 West 62nd Street, New York City
Conference is Free: Please register by contacting James Fisher by email at jafisher@fordham.edu, or at 212-636-7698
Click here to download a PDF file about the conference.
Program
All events held in or just outside McNally Amphitheatre
8:30 Continental Breakfast
9:00 Conference Introduction and Opening Address by Timothy Shriver, CEO Special Olympics
10:30 Advocacy and Presence: Communities of Faith Engaging Autism
Moderator: Rev. Bill Gaventa
Speakers: Dr. Mary Beth Walsh; Rabbi Geoffrey Haber
Comment: Dr. Jeannine Hill Fletcher
Panelists are leaders in movement to promote full inclusion for persons with autism in life of faith communities; models for advocacy and justice work.
Noon: Buffet Lunch
Presentation by Prof. Stuart Murray, ‘Autism and Hollywood’
Moderator: Dr. Mark Osteen
1:30 The Varieties of Autism Advocacy
Moderator: Dr. Lance Strate
Speakers: Wanda Brown, founder of ASD Concepts, advocacy program focusing on needs of African-American families in the autism community; Kassiane Sibley, self-advocate and influential blogger; Prof. Bruce Mills, creator of service learning program engaging autism community; Gloria Pearson-Vasey, Canadian advocate and co-author with adult autistic son of The Road Trip.
3:30 Panel on Catholic Education and the Spectrum
Speakers: Dr. Salvatore Ferrera; Dr. Carol Trasborg; creators of innovative program for students on autism spectrum at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn
4:30 Closing Reflections: Dr. Kristina Chew and Audience
5 PM: Reception and Book Exhibit
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POSTED IN: Autism Advocacy Conference, Disability Rights, Education, Religion
2 opinions for Program for Autism & Advocacy Conference, Oct. 27 (Fri.), NYC, free
KathyIggy
Oct 11, 2006 at 4:40 pm
Oh, I wish I was in that area for this conference. It sounds very interesting, especially given I’ve never seen the “communities of faith” and Catholic education issues addressed before. Megan did manage to make it through her 1st Communion (with a few hitches, of course) in 2nd grade, though I would love to hear suggestions for making her feel more comfortable. Attending church is so difficult for her, given the large number of people and the echoey noise…we’ve had many meltdowns there, unfortunately.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Oct 11, 2006 at 8:28 pm
We more than wish that you could be there! I will be reporting on the presentations, for sure. That’s really about Megan making it through her 1st Communion—–we’ve not been able even to get that started for Charlie—-Charlie does his best during church services, but it is not easy.
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