Agenda
*TENTATIVE*
Sunday, March 3
Time
/
Activity
3:00- 6:00pm / Check-in, Registration, Networking
Vendors open
4:00- 5:30pm /
Mock/ Practice Hearing- Chase Bearden, CTD
- Jessica Ramos, Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Micah Rodriguez, Senator Carlos Uresti's Office
- Ana R. DeFrates, Senator Kirk Watson's Office
- Linda Litzinger, Texas Parent 2 Parent
Legislative Advocacy Basics
Who represents you in Austin and how do you contact them? What is the protocol for legislative office visits? How do you give an effective testimony at a legislative hearing? In addition to learning the answers to these questions, you will have the opportunity to practice giving a testimony to a panel of representatives. Breakout small group testimony sessions will be available to enable a larger number of advocates to practice speaking.
5:30- 6:00pm / Break
6:00- 7:00pm / Welcome, Introductions, Dinner
7:00- 8:00pm /
Keynote: Social Capital: The Power and Potency of Relationships - Dr. Al Condeluci, UCP/CLASS
All of us are interested in a better community where all people have an opportunity for accessible and affordable homes, jobs or meaningful daytime opportunities and lifestyles of their choice. In spite of our many years of work on this goal, the outcomes in this area are still not satisfactory for people who are vulnerable due to disability or other compromises. Many of these vulnerable people, children and adults, find themselves in isolated situations with limited options for friendships and important social relationships. This presentation takes a close look at the reasons why our systems have not been more successful in these goals, defines and delineates the concept of social capital, and offers a community building perspective designed to shift the culture to be more inclusive and supportive to all people.
Monday, March 4
Time
/
Activity
7:00- 8:00am / Breakfast, Networking
8:00- 9:00am / Welcome, Introductions
Morning Keynote: If Not Now, When?Why do we become advocates? At what point in our lives do we decide to stand up and speak out for ourselves, our friends, our family, or people we have never met? How is advocacy changing and how can keep the disability community's VOICE ahead of the curve in this ever-changing world of communication and technology?
9:00- 9:10am / Break, Transition to Breakout Sessions
9:10- 10:10am / Breakout Session 1
9:10- 10:20am /
1.1 Take Charge of Your Services- Joyce Page, Alamo Consumer Direct & Parent Advocate
- Rebecca Page, Self Advocate
The Texas Consumer Direct Service (CDS) option gives adults and children with disabilities more freedom and control over their attendant services; however, CDS can be misunderstood and confusing at first glance. Come explore this option that lets consumers manage their own care with Joyce Page, parent advocate and field coordinator with Alamo Consumer Direct, and Rebecca Page, self-advocate who uses CDS.
9:05- 10:20am /
1.2 Advocacy and Community Organizing- Dr. Al Condeluci, UCP/CLASS
All of us, from time to time, are responsible to advocate for change. Are you ready for this challenge? Change and Advocacy are simple issues with complex ingredients. When we are confronted with a challenge we can better our chances of success when we think like an advocate and community organizer. This advocacy might be formal, or informal, it might apply to helping people get jobs, housing or lifestyles. This presentation will look closely at the advocacy and community organization process and how change happens. Both individual and collective advocacy will be explored.
9:05- 10:20am /
1.3 Cross-disability Issues in the 83rd Legislative Session- Dennis Borel, CTD
- Jessica Ramos, Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Joe Tate, Community Now!
- Facilitator: Jeff Garrison-Tate,Center on Disability and Development at TAMU
There are so many issues being talked about! How can you feel confident in your advocacy message? Joe, Jessica, and Dennis are Capitol regulars who will boil it down to key issues, why these are important, and how you can speak with confidence to your legislators.
9:05- 10:20am /
1.4 History and Philosophy of the Disability Movement- Kari Brock, The Arc of Texas
To make the most of legislative advocacy efforts, it is important that advocates understand the history of the disability movement. The disability movement has played a crucial role for people with disabilities as they lead their lives today. In this presentation, participants will learn both the positives and negatives of the history of the disability movement. We will take a look at the movement from institutionalization to community living along with educational and employment successes. We will also dive into legislative battles that all advocates continue to fight on National and State levels.
10:10- 10:15am / Break, Transition to Breakout Rooms
10:15- 11:15am / Breakout Session 2 (repeat of Session 1)
11:15- 12:15pm /
2.1 Take Charge of Your Services- Joyce Page, Alamo Consumer Direct & Parent Advocate
- Rebecca Page, Self Advocate
The Texas Consumer Direct Service (CDS) option gives adults and children with disabilities more freedom and control over their attendant services; however, CDS can be misunderstood and confusing at first glance. Come explore this option that lets consumers manage their own care with Joyce Page, parent advocate and field coordinator with Alamo Consumer Direct, and Rebecca Page, self-advocate who uses CDS.
11:15- 12:15pm /
2.2 Advocacy and Community Organizing- Dr. Al Condeluci, UCP/CLASS
All of us, from time to time, are responsible to advocate for change. Are you ready for this challenge? Change and Advocacy are simple issues with complex ingredients. When we are confronted with a challenge we can better our chances of success when we think like an advocate and community organizer. This advocacy might be formal, or informal, it might apply to helping people get jobs, housing or lifestyles. This presentation will look closely at the advocacy and community organization process and how change happens. Both individual and collective advocacy will be explored.
11:15- 12:15pm /
2.3 Cross-disability Issues in the 83rd Legislative Session- Dennis Borel, CTD
- Jessica Ramos, Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Joe Tate, Community Now!
- Facilitator: Jeff Garrison-Tate,Center on Disability and Development at TAMU
There are so many issues being talked about! How can you feel confident in your advocacy message? Joe, Jessica, and Dennis are Capitol regulars who will boil it down to key issues, why these are important, and how you can speak with confidence to your legislators.
11:15- 12:15pm /
2.4 History and Philosophy of the Disability Movement- Kari Brock, The Arc of Texas
To make the most of legislative advocacy efforts, it is important that advocates understand the history of the disability movement. The disability movement has played a crucial role for people with disabilities as they lead their lives today. In this presentation, participants will learn both the positives and negatives of the history of the disability movement. We will take a look at the movement from institutionalization to community living along with educational and employment successes. We will also dive into legislative battles that all advocates continue to fight on National and State levels.
11:15- 12:15 / Lunch
12:15- 1:15pm
1:15- 2:15pm / Luncheon
Midday Keynote: The ADA, Olmstead Decision, and Medicaid Services and SupportsStephen F. Gold will explore the policy and funding implications of the community integration requirement in the ADA on existing Medicaid programs and what reform of Medicaid may mean for people with disabilities of all ages.
Plenary Agency Panel: Perspectives of the State Agencies
- Chris Traylor, HHSC Chief Deputy Commissioner
- Jon Weizenbaum, DADS Commissioner
- Debra Wanser, DARS Commissioner
- Facilitator: Dennis Borel, CTD
Likely the most powerful panel of commissioners at any conference in Texas in 2013, the top executives of key state agencies will join us and give their insider views on important proposals before the Legislature, what the impact would be on people with disabilities, and effective advocacy strategies.
2:15- 2:25pm / Break, Transition to Breakout Rooms
2:25- 3:25 pm / Breakout Session 3
2:25- 3:25pm / 3.1 Youth Leadership Forum: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders
- El Paso del Norte YLF students
- Facilitator: Rick Razo
Young people with disabilities have more opportunities and more challenges than at any other time in our nation’s history. With the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they have great opportunities to fully develop as constructive, contributing members of our society. However, many need encouragement and information about resources to develop as leaders in their communities. The El Paso del Norte Youth Leadership Forum enables them to learn from each other and from successful adults with disabilities who are recognized leaders and role models. Come learn how for the past 10 years the El Paso del Norte Youth Leadership Forum has been empowering young people with disabilities to become leaders in their community.
2:25- 3:25pm / 3.2 Mental Health and Pharmaceutical Policy
- Colleen Horton, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
- Amber Pearce, Pfizer
- Facilitator: Dennis Borel, CTD
Time to dig deeper on two important issue areas! Recent tragedies have catapulted mental health policy into the forefront of policy debates. Colleen Horton of the Hogg Foundation on Mental Health and an expert on mental health policy will lead the discussion. The second part of this session will focus on little-known pharmaceutical policy and why access to the right medicine is no sure thing. Amber Pearce of Pfizer will help you understand the critical important of pharmaceutical policy.
2:25- 3:25pm / 3.3 Telling Your Story: Building Advocacy Through Writing
- Sharon C. Jenkins, The Master Communicator & Associates
In this presentation, Sharon C. Jenkins, the Master Communicator, will present a writing clinic on how participants can get their message to the masses through digital writing methods, including blogging and e-publishing, while utilizing social media to increase awareness, advocacy, and to generate support for causes that empower people with disabilities.
2:25- 3:25pm / 3.4 The Dynamics of Power
- Shaun Bickley, Texas Advocates
- Ginger Mayeaux, Texas Advocates
Why is the measure of power so important in advocacy, especially to groups used to powerlessness? In this presentation, we will look at the means to assess our own power as individuals, groups, and coalitions. Participants will also learn how to determine the power and weaknesses of power-holders and begin to learn what sort of demands can be made of them. We will also learn about various sorts of power such as legislative, economic, legal, and disruptive; and who those powers can be wielded against. These skills will help participants learn effective advocacy to tip the balance of power in their favor!
3:25- 3:30pm / Break, Transition to Breakout Rooms
3:30- 4:30pm / Breakout Session 4 (repeat of session 3)
3:30- 4:30pm / 4.1 Youth Leadership Forum: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders
- El Paso del Norte YLF students
- Facilitator: Rick Razo
Young people with disabilities have more opportunities and more challenges than at any other time in our nation’s history. With the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they have great opportunities to fully develop as constructive, contributing members of our society. However, many need encouragement and information about resources to develop as leaders in their communities. The El Paso del Norte Youth Leadership Forum enables them to learn from each other and from successful adults with disabilities who are recognized leaders and role models. Come learn how for the past 10 years the El Paso del Norte Youth Leadership Forum has been empowering young people with disabilities to become leaders in their community.
3:30- 4:30pm / 4.2 Mental Health and Pharmaceutical Policy
- Colleen Horton, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
- Amber Pearce, Pfizer
- Facilitator: Dennis Borel, CTD
Time to dig deeper on two important issue areas! Recent tragedies have catapulted mental health policy into the forefront of policy debates. Colleen Horton of the Hogg Foundation on Mental Health and an expert on mental health policy will lead the discussion. The second part of this session will focus on little-known pharmaceutical policy and why access to the right medicine is no sure thing. Amber Pearce of Pfizer will help you understand the critical important of pharmaceutical policy.
3:30- 4:30pm / 4.3 Telling Your Story: Building Advocacy Through Writing
- Sharon C. Jenkins, The Master Communicator & Associates
In this presentation, Sharon C. Jenkins, the Master Communicator, will present a writing clinic on how participants can get their message to the masses through digital writing methods, including blogging and e-publishing, while utilizing social media to increase awareness, advocacy, and to generate support for causes that empower people with disabilities.
3:30- 4:30pm / 4.4 The Dynamics of Power
- Shaun Bickley, Texas Advocates
- Ginger Mayeaux, Texas Advocates
Why is the measure of power so important in advocacy, especially to groups used to powerlessness? In this presentation, we will look at the means to assess our own power as individuals, groups, and coalitions. Participants will also learn how to determine the power and weaknesses of power-holders and begin to learn what sort of demands can be made of them. We will also learn about various sorts of power such as legislative, economic, legal, and disruptive; and who those powers can be wielded against. These skills will help participants learn effective advocacy to tip the balance of power in their favor!
4:30- 4:40pm / Break, Transition to General Session
4:40- 5:30pm / General Session
Evening Keynote: My Medicaid Matters
- Bob Kafka, ADAPT of Texas
- Stephanie Thomas, ADAPT of Texas
On March 5, 2013, Texans will gather at the Capitol to support Medicaid and call on state leaders to make real investments in the health and well being of all Texans. Medicaid provides hospital, doctor, and other health services to children, expectant mothers, people with disabilities, older Americans, and low-income adults. It provides vital home and community-based services that allow senior and younger people with disabilities to live independently in the community. Learn how to send a message to the Legislature and state leadership that Medicaid is essential to the health and well being of millions of Texans.
5:30- 5:45pm / Conference Recap, Evaluation, Closing Activities
Tuesday March, 5
Time
/
Activity
7:00- 8:00am / Breakfast, Checkout
8:00- 8:30am / Travel Instruction and Information about the Capitol Trip, March, and Rally
8:30- 10:00am / Travel to Capitol
10:00- 10:45am / Marchers gather at South Congress Bridge
10:45- 11:30am / March up South Congress to the state Capitol
11:30- 12:30pm / Rally on South Steps of the state Capitol
12:15- 1:30pm / Visit Legislators' Offices
1:30- 2:30pm / Lunch
2:00pm / First Opportunity to Return to Hotel
3:00pm / Last Opportunity to Return to Hotel
