DDA's Enabling Technology and Innovation Summit: Innovation for Life

The 2024 Summit will be held Wednesday, November 13th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm with an optional reception / happy hour from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and Thursday, November 14 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. 

Register for the event here

The location for this year's Summit is the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro:

Embassy Suites Murfreesboro

1200 Conference Center Blvd

Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Google Map Directions

If you would like to book hotel accommodations at the special conference rate, you can visit the site below. 

Embassy Suites Murfreesboro

This workshop will provide an overview of DDA’s Enabling Technology Program including ET Services and Supports, Protocols and Procedures, Documentation, and Funding. Attendees will be able to meet with DDA’s Technology Champions to discuss best practices for incorporating Enabling Technology into different support situations and receive recommendations for technology solutions.

Target Audience: Support Coordinators, Case Managers, Provider Agency Directors/Coordinators, and ETIS/Technology Champions

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Breakout Room

Note: On the ticket checkout page, please fill out the name information for the participant, not the person registering (if registrant is different from participant). 

 

This workshop will discuss the built-in accessibility features and applications within iPhones/iPads that make life easier for people with disabilities. Attendees will discover features that will help them with communication, navigate their surroundings, enhance their hearing, and have more control over their smartphone. Attendees should bring their own iPhone/iPad and follow along to learn and experience new features.

Target Audience: Technology users of all ages including Self-Advocates, Parents/Guardians, Family Members, and Direct Support Staff

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Breakout Room

Note: On the ticket checkout page, please fill out the name information for the participant, not the person registering (if registrant is different from participant) 

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The State of DDA and Technology - Milton Neuenschwander, State Director of Enabling Technology; Jeremy Norden-Paul, Director of Division of Program Innovation

  • DDA's Enabling Technology program started as a small pilot project in 2018 with one simple question: How can technology help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live more independently and experience a greater quality of life? Since then, Enabling Technology has grown exponentially to become a major program available to thousands of people across Tennessee. Our success with Enabling Technology has positioned Tennessee as a national leader and opened doors for us to create other innovative tools and service models. As we embark on new journeys and work together to reach more people than ever before, this presentation will invite you to consider yet another simple question: How can Enabling Technology and innovation help people all across the lifespan, in all areas of their lives?
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Improving Access to Oral Health Care through Technology-Driven Solutions - Kelli Bingham - Executive Director, Harmony Health Foundation; Dr. Sean Boynes, DMD, MS - Board of Directors, Harmony Health Foundation; Dr. Tina Saw, DDS - General Dentist and Entrepreneur

  • Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) encounter significant barriers to preventive dental services, leading to a higher prevalence of untreated dental issues and adverse oral health outcomes. This presentation will focus on a new initiative designed to pinpoint and measure the primary obstacles to accessing oral health care and to establish a pilot program with scalable solutions, incorporating innovative technologies to enhance access to dental care and preventive measures. Panelists will discuss the initiative and its current and future impact and implications for patients, providers, and policy. 
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Tennessee State Parks Accessibility Initiative: An Overview of Access 2030 - Don Tate, Facilities Construction Director and Park Accessibility Access 2030 Team Lead for Tennessee State Parks 

  • The Tennessee State Parks Accessibility Initiative, titled "Access 2030," is a strategic plan aimed at enhancing accessibility and visitor experience across State Parks, with a focus on interpretation, education, inclusivity, and physical accessibility. This initiative includes improvements in educational programs, interpretive materials, and facility upgrades to ensure everyone can fully enjoy our state parks. The presentation will outline the ongoing efforts and highlight a few of our current focus areas that are improving the accessible environment for all visitors.
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Bridging the Digital Divide: Virtual Tech Training for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Supporters - Dr. Mark Friedman, Adjunct Associate Professor, City University of New York, Vice Chairperson of Pennsylvania DD Council, Dr. Ruthie-Marie Beckwith, Adjunct Professor of Disability, City University of New York; David Taylor, Board of Directors, TASH; Pisanach Chinratanalab, Self-Advocate with People First, Tennessee General Assembly Volunteer; Sara Phillips, Treasurer, Dickson Chapter People First, Disability Services Division Council and Technology Board

  • Discover how the Technology For All Virtual Training program is teaching individuals with (I/DD), their families, and DSPs to overcome the digital divide and foster independence. Hear self-advocates, who serve as paid trainers, share their experiences and successes teaching participants to use enabling technology. Learn how people with I/DD are increasing their confidence and overcoming their fear of technology, by participating in virtual weekly training, including: 1) Online safety (phishing, identity theft), 2) Using email, texting, and video conferencing), 3) Telehealth, 4) Assistive technology, 5) Artificial Intelligence, 6) Applying for jobs, and 7) Social media. See more at www.mytechforall.com
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Innovating Job Interview Prep: Leveraging VR and AI for Successful Interview Experiences - Kyle Baughman, Director of Enabling Technology, MillarRich

  • Interviewing for a job can be a daunting experience for many, but using Virtual Reality and AI allows providers to curate experiences that account for the interests and needs of the client.  In this session we will look at how Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligense platforms and programs, such as Virtual Speech and ChatGPT, can provide the framework for developing comprehensive plans for interview preparation. 
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Keynote Session - Dignity of Risk and Duty of Care: Values, Rights, and Power in the Lives of People with Intellectual and Other Disabilities - Jason Buckles, PhD, LPCC, Owner of Talkabout Inc.

  • Working towards a ‘dignity of risk’ is an essential issue of human rights necessary to develop lives rich with the experience of preference and liberation. Many individuals’ decisions to take risks or develop independence can, however, be limited due to professional concepts of the ‘duty of care’. This talk will focus on historic and contemporary perspectives of these concepts, while also introducing a replicable process for considerate decision making within an interdisciplinary and community support framework with examples of applied practice.

Time Session Speaker
1:00 PM Welcome Remarks DDA Commissioner Brad Turner
1:15 PM the State of DDA and Technology

Jeremy Norden-Paul, Director of the Division of Program Innovation

Milton Neuenschwander, State Director of Enabling Technology 

2:05 PM Improving Access to Oral Health Care through Technology-Driven Solutions

Kelli Bingham - Executive Director, Harmony Health Foundation

Dr. Sean Boynes, DMD, MS - Board of Directors, Harmony Health Foundation

Dr. Tina Saw, DDS - General Dentist, Entrepreneur 

3:10 PM Tennessee State Parks Accessibility Initiative: An Overview of Access 2030 Don Tate, Facilities Construction Director and Park Accessibility Access 2030 Team Lead, Tennessee State Parks
4:00 PM Flexible Support Rate Panel 

Maxine, Self-Advocate

Kelsey South, REM Coordinator and Enabling Tech Specialist - Life Bridges

Nora Buckley, Chief Operations Officer - Madison Haywood Developmental Services

Jennifer, Self-Advocate

4:35 PM the State of Aging in Tennessee - Tech Goes Home Tennessee Sammy Lowdermilk, Program Director - Tech Goes Home Tennessee
5:10 PM Summit Concludes  
5:10 PM - 7:00 PM Optional Reception   
Time Session Speaker
8:30 AM Welcome Remarks DDA Commissioner Brad Turner
8:45 AM Bridging the Digital Divide: Virtual Tech Training for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their Supporters

Dr. Mark Friedman - Adjunct Associate Professor, City University of New York, former Vice Chairperson of Pennsylvania DD Council, creator of Disability Zoom

Dr. Ruthie-Marie Beckwith - Adjunct Professor of Disability, City University of New York

David Taylor - Board of Directors, TASH

Pisanach Chinratanalab - Self-Advocate with People First, Tennessee General Assembly Volunteer

Sarah Phillips - Treasurer, Dickson Chapter People First, Disability Services Division Council and Technology Board

9:45 AM Innovating Job Interview Prep: Leveraging VR and AI for Successful Interview Experiences Kyle Baughman - Director of Enabling Technology, MillarRich
10:45 AM Door Prize Drawings  
10:55 AM Technology Trailblazer Awards  
11:15 AM Keynote Session - Dignity of Risk and Duty of Care: Values, Rights, and Power in the Lives of People with Intellectual and Other Disabilities Jason Buckles, PhD, LPCC - owner of Talkabout Inc.
12:00 PM Summit Concludes