2024 AHEAD in Texas Conference Program

April 3 -April 5, 2024

Table of Contents

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AHEAD in Texas – The HUB of Disability Support

30 years of AHEAD in Texas

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Academic Event Center
3601 4th Street – Lubbock, Texas

WELCOME!

The Board of Directors of the AHEAD in Texas is so happy to have you join us for the 30th Annual AHEAD in Texas conference in Lubbock, on the campus of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. We have some outstanding sessions for you and we appreciate you being with us this year.

Taking suggestions from survey responses last year, we hope that this year’s schedule supports our need to learn and interact with each other. Join us Wednesday morning for our opening conference sessions and stay with us through the great presentations that wrap up Friday afternoon. The full schedule is included, along with abstracts, and some additional information.

HIGHLIGHTS

Lunch will be provided at the conference. We encourage you to take advantage of this time to connect with friends and colleagues from the past and meet new friends and colleagues who will be our future. Hotels all offer free breakfast, and we are starting our day a little later to also accommodate this. Snacks and beverages will be available throughout each day in the check-in area, where you will also find some exciting vendors eager to speak with you. We also have fabulous silent auction items available, waiting for your bid!

Business Luncheon

As professionals in this field, we all know the value of connecting with and learning from others. It is so important in the work we do and supporting the students who come through our offices. One of the best options we have for this is staying connected within AHEAD in Texas, our state AHEAD affiliate. During our Friday luncheon, we will hold our annual business meeting, and we are asking for you all to think about how YOU can contribute to AHEAD in Texas in the future. Think about the Bylaws and how we could revise them and what you want to see the Affiliate do with its future. Elections will be fast approaching and we need nominations for officers – including President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Director of Membership & Communication. We are always in need of supportive volunteers and ideas for conference host cities/campuses!

Accommodations

Caption services are provided by CaptionSource, LLC. Interpreting services are provided by James Whitfield Jr., M.A., Texas BEI Master/Court, RID NIC Master. If you have questions or need assistance, please visit the check-in desk or find a member of the Board.

Life in Lubbock

Lubbock is known as the Hub City because of its location as the economic, educational, and healthcare center of the South Plains. We believe AHEAD in Texas has a unique position as the hub of our state’s disability support personnel – where we join together as the center of knowledge, growth, and service to students with disabilities. Similarly, Disability Support Offices across Texas are the hub for students and access on a university campus!

From Visit Lubbock:

There is no shortage of history in Lubbock. Discover a rock ‘n’ roll legend, the largest windmill collection in the world, and historic ranch homes. Lubbock museums offer collectibles, art, and memorabilia perfect for adults and kids alike. Whether you are in the mood for some West Texas barbecue, tasty Mexican food, a savory steak, or simply a great home-cooked meal, Lubbock has you covered. With close to 1,000 restaurants, Lubbock can please any taste. Visitors can cap off their evening at one of Lubbock’s nightlife hot spots. Enjoy delicious food, live music, and your favorite cocktail, wine, or brew. Here is the direct link to the Visit Lubbock events page. https://visitlubbock.org/events/

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Academic Event Center Parking

3601 4th Street Lubbock, TX 79430

Parking is available at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Academic Event Center in the purple-shaded area. The Academic Event Center can be accessed from the 4th Street entrance to the TTUHSC campus and the Texas Tech Parkway entrance by way of 5th Street.

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2024 Conference Schedule At-a-Glance

Day 1– Wednesday, April 3, 2024

• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check-In
• 9:15 to 10:45 – Session 1 (90 minutes)
• 11:00 to 12 noon – Concurrent Session 2 (60 minutes)
  • Exhibit Hall and Silent Auction Open!
• 12:15 to 1:30 – Welcome Lunch
• 1:45 to 3:00 – Concurrent Session 3 (75 minutes)
• 3:15 to 4:15 – Roundtable Discussion – SB 412 and HB 1361 (60 minutes)

Day 2– Thursday, April 4, 2024

Exhibit Hall and Silent Auction OPEN from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• 9:15 to 10:15 – Concurrent Session 4 (60 minutes)
• 10:30 to 11:30 –Concurrent Session 5 (60 minutes)
• 11:45 to 1:30 – Keynote Speaker and Lunch
• 1:45 to 3:00 – Concurrent Session 6 (75 minutes)
• 3:15 to 4:30 – Housing Roundtable Discussion (75 minutes)

Day 3– Friday, April 5, 2024

Exhibit Hall and Silent Auction OPEN from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 9:00 to 10:30 – Concurrent Session 7 (90 minutes)
• 10:45 to 11:45 – Concurrent Session 8 (60 minutes)
• 12:00 to 1:15 – Lunch/Affiliate Meeting –Exhibit Hall Closes/Final Auction Bids
• 1:30 to 2:30 – Session 9 (60 minutes)
• End of Conference – Winners pick up Silent Auction items. No shipping!
• Turn in CEU forms at the check-in desk.

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Keynote Speakers

Presentation by Lindsay Drennan & Elspeth Doskey,
from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights – Dallas

“Students with Disabilities – The Transition from High School to College”

The session provides a general overview of Section 504 and Title II, compares the different legal obligations between high schools and colleges, covers the college admissions process, covers academic adjustments, auxiliary aids and services, the required college grievance process/procedures, and much more.  In addition to providing a general overview of these topics, the presenters will be able to answer questions related to these and other matters.

Lindsay Drennan

Lindsay became an attorney because it combined two of her passions: helping others and reading for hours at a time. Lindsay began her legal career in her home state of New Mexico after graduating from the University of New Mexico School of Law. She started her practice as a defense litigator, representing people, companies, and government entities facing lawsuits in state and federal courts – including a briefing on behalf of the State of New Mexico before the United States Supreme Court. She moved to Texas in 2017 to join a trial firm and continue her work representing clients in both lawsuits and appeals, eventually being promoted to partner. More recently, Lindsay jumped at the opportunity to join OCR and focus her practice more fully on public service. She lives in Dallas with her husband and her dog.

Elspeth Doskey, Esq.

Elspeth has been working in the civil rights arena for nearly her whole legal career. In addition to her role at the Office for Civil Rights, where her investigations cover elementary and secondary institutions, as well as post-secondary institutions, she also worked with the Department of Labor with a focus on migrant workers’ rights. Originally a New Orleans native, and after a decade in Philadelphia, Elspeth has been in Dallas since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most salient after recent sports years, she remains loyal to her Saints and Phillies.

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Complete Conference Schedule

Day 1– Wednesday, April 3, 2024

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check-In

9:15 to 10:45 – Session 1 (90 minutes)

Wide Open Spaces of AHEAD in Texas (Tiffany Rivers, Tamara Mancini, and BOD)

Room A

• All members needed in attendance.

11:00 to 12 noon – Concurrent Session 2 (60 minutes)

• Deaf Student Mentor (Lei-Sea Sky) Room B
• Empowering Through Connection: The Role of Peer Mentors (Justo Garcia and Angie Maxey) Room C

12:15 to 1:30 – Welcome Lunch Room A

• Exhibit Hall and Silent Auction Open!

1:45 to 3:00 – Concurrent Session 3 (75 minutes)

• Navigating Work-based Learning and Workforce Programs: Finding Effective Solutions (Brenda Aviles and Jill Strawbridge) Room B
• Integrating MS Forms and MS Power Automate to Streamline Data Collected by Forms (Sharon Betzold) Room C

3:15 to 4:15 – Roundtable Discussion – Parenting Legislation- SB 412 and HB 1361 (60 minutes)

• Facilitators: Cindy Lowery, Samantha Johnson, Marilyn Harren, Tamara Mancini

Day 2– Thursday, April 4, 2024

• Exhibit Hall and Silent Auction OPEN from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

9:15 to 10:15 – Concurrent Session 4 (60 minutes)

• Creative Accommodations to Support Students with Neurodiversity, Mental Health Challenges and Disabilities (Betsy Furler) Room B
• How You Doin’? …Honestly, how are you? (Abbi May and Crystal Fuqua) Room C

10:30 to 11:30 –Concurrent Session 5 (60 minutes)

• Assistive Technology to Support Learners and Create More Inclusive Campuses (Rachel Kruzel) Room B
• Empower to Employ: An Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation Services (Marquita Greer and Elaine Wilson) Room C

11:45 to 1:30 – Keynote Lunch Room A

Students with Disabilities – The Transition from High School to College

Lindsey Drennan and Elspeth Doskey
Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Dallas Office

1:45 to 3:00 – Concurrent Session 6 (75 minutes)

• We Need You: Behavioral Threat and Assessment (BTAM) (Samantha Johnson) Room B
• Layman’s Guide to Why We Do What We Do in a DSO (Marilyn Harren) Room C

3:15 to 4:30 – Housing Roundtable Discussion (75 minutes)

• Facilitators: Elvira Smith, Tiffany Rivers, Laura Marquez Ramsey, Shawn McNeil

Day 3– Friday, April 5, 2024

• Exhibit Hall and Silent Auction OPEN from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

9:00 to 10:30 – Concurrent Session 7 (90 minutes)

• Is That a Reasonable Accommodation? Establishing Technical Standards and Essential Elements (Marilyn Harren) Room B
• Oh No You Better Not! Lessons Learned From A HUD Complaint (Larry Phillippe) Room C

10:45 to 11:45 – Concurrent Session 8 (60 minutes)

• Meet the TECHniques Center (Sharon Betzold) Room B
• Simplifying WCAG for Electronic Accessibility (Terisa O’Dowd) Room C

12:00 to 1:15 – Lunch/Affiliate Meeting Room A

• Last Chance Exhibit Hall/Final Silent Auction Bids

1:30 to 2:30 – Session 9 (60 minutes) Room A

• Texas ABLE Program: State savings program for Texans with disabilities (Vanessa Goodson)

End of Conference

• Winners must pick up Silent Auction items before they leave. No shipping!
• Please turn in CEU forms to the check-in desk by 3:00 pm.
• Don’t forget to complete the online conference survey! https://www.txahead.org/evaluation/
• Happy trails and we will see you next year!

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2023 – 2024 AHEAD in Texas Board Members

Vacant – President-Elect

Tamara Mancini, President

Texas Tech University Health Science Center
806-743-1926
tamara.mancini@ttuhsc.edu

Cynthia Lowery, Immediate Past President

The University of Texas at Arlington
817-272-3364
cindy.lowery@uta.edu

Samantha Johnson, Secretary

Blinn College District
979-209-7251
samantha.johnson@blinn.edu

Shawn McNeil, Treasurer

Texas State Technical College
346-239-3381
smmcneil@tstc.edu

Laura Marquez Ramsey, Director of Membership/Communication

Trinity University
210-999-7488
lramsey@trinity.edu

Elvira Smith, Director at Large

The University of Texas at Arlington
817-272-3542
esmith@uta.edu

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AHEAD in Texas 2024/2025 Open Officers

PRESIDENT

The President is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the Affiliate.  Upon completion of his/her one-year term, the President will assume the position of Immediate Past-President.

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Open and call to order all general and Board of Director meetings.
• Establish the agenda and announce the business before the assembly.
• Sign all contracts between the Affiliate and external vendors (i.e., for conference space, sign language interpreters, AV equipment, catering, etc.)
• Help facilitate the planning and execution of the Affiliate’s annual conference, regional workshops, and membership meeting(s) as needed.
• Establish and oversee committees deemed necessary for the Affiliate’s efficient operation.
• Serve as official liaison of the Affiliate to AHEAD and other organizations or to appoint a designee for such purposes.
• Ensure adherence of the Affiliate to the Affiliate Bylaws as set forth by the membership.
• Purchase and award recognition gifts for outgoing officers and other members who have contributed their time and expertise to the Affiliate at the annual conference.
• Ensure continuation of AHEAD Affiliate status with the assistance of the Treasurer.
• Solicits registrations to exhibit at the annual conference after updating the Exhibitor/Vendor Registration.

PRESIDENT-ELECT

In the absence of the President, the President-Elect takes the chair and follows the same list of duties as the President.  The following year, the President-Elect assumes the duties of President.

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Plan and oversee all aspects of the annual conference and regional workshops. 
• Works with the President, Interpreter Services, and Chair of the Site Committee to ensure accessibility for all attendees.
• Recruits, schedules, and manages Moderators for all Conference sessions
• Creates all Conference evaluation forms; collects all evaluation forms; synthesizes and analyzes all evaluation data; presents evaluation report to the Board.

SECRETARY

The Secretary is the recording officer of the Affiliate.  This office is elected for a two-year term to run in alternate years with the treasurer.

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Take written minutes of all Board or membership meetings.
• Prepare meeting minutes for review and revision following the meeting.
• Collects all CEU forms and creates Certificates of Attendance for each requester. Copies of CEU certificates will be maintained for one year from the date of the spring conference.
• Perform any duties assigned by the President, Board of Directors, or membership-at-large.

DIRECTOR – MEMBERSHIP/COMMUNICATION

The Director of Membership/Communications is the communication liaison between the Affiliate and AHEAD and the general membership.  The Director of Membership/Communications is elected for a two-year term to run in the same year as the office of Secretary.

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Serves as the Affiliate communications liaison to AHEAD.

• Maintain Affiliate member list-serve.

• Maintain membership database.

• Receive and respond to all membership inquiries.

• Recruits, schedules and manages volunteers for the annual Conference.
• Maintain current database of conference exhibitors/vendors.
• Perform any duties assigned by the President, Board of Directors, or membership-at-large.

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BYLAWS

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1

The name of this organization is the Association on Higher Education And Disability in Texas (AHEAD in Texas). AHEAD in Texas was established in 1992 and incorporated in the State of Texas as a non-profit corporation in 2000. AHEAD in Texas is an affiliate of the International Association on Higher Education And Disability, formerly known as the Association on Handicapped Student Service Programs in Post-Secondary Education. AHEAD in Texas (hereafter known as the Affiliate) shall educate, train, and communicate with professionals of various educational agencies serving students with disabilities attending any public or private post-secondary institution in the State of Texas.

AHEAD in Texas does not discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other constitutionally or statutorily impermissible reason. This policy extends to all programs and activities supported by AHEAD in Texas.

SECTION 2

The purpose of the Affiliate shall be to serve as a non-profit organization providing expertise and information on disability issues, rights of persons with disabilities, educational and professional development opportunities to higher education disability service providers and other professionals/interested parties, promoting coordination between agencies, associations, and organizations for the purpose of promoting opportunity and advocacy for college and university students with disabilities and supporting legislation that benefits higher education and students with disabilities.

ARTICLE II: STRUCTURE

AHEAD in Texas (hereafter referred to as the Affiliate) is created as a volunteer professional organization directed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will be composed of elected officers whose responsibility will be to carry out the mission of the Affiliate through policy formation, the execution of fiduciary responsibility, and maintenance and growth of the organization.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1

Membership shall be open and available to any interested person

according to membership and dues categories as established by the Board of Directors and contained in the bylaws with rights and responsibilities contained therein.

SECTION 2

Membership levels:

1. Institutional Membership – Higher Education: Directors/Coordinators/Counselors/Staff of Disability Services at 2 and 4-year public and private colleges and universities. This membership level is eligible to hold office and has full voting privileges. This membership is transferable to another staff member at the same institution if there is a change of staff during the membership year as long as the original membership was paid for by the institution.
2. Professional – Higher Education Other: Directors/Coordinators/Counselors/Staff of Disability Services at 2 and 4-year public and private colleges and universities. In addition, Directors/Coordinators/Counselors/Case Managers of other agencies/professional organizations providing services to and promoting access or advocating for post-secondary students with disabilities can also serve as professional members. This membership level is eligible to hold office and has full voting privileges. This membership is transferable (higher education only).
3. Associate: Former professional members, administrative/support staff at any agency/professional organization/post-secondary institution, advocates, or family members of students with disabilities. This membership level is not transferable, not eligible to hold office, and has no voting privileges.
4. Emeritus Professional: Individuals retired from positions in higher education who were previous members of AHEAD in Texas. This membership level is not transferable, not eligible to hold office, and has no voting privileges.
5. Student: Individuals enrolled as full-time students in an undergraduate or graduate program at an institution of higher learning. This membership level is not transferable, not eligible to hold office, and has no voting privileges.

SECTION 3

The membership/dues year shall run from January 1 – December 31.

ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY

SECTION 1

Executive Authority shall be vested in the Board of Directors, composed of elected Officers. The Board of Directors is empowered to do all things permitted by law and to exercise all authority within the purposes stated in the bylaws contained herein.

SECTION 2

The officers of the Affiliate shall be the President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past-President, Director of Membership/Communication, and Director-at-Large.

SECTION 3

All officers shall be elected at-large from the active and eligible voting members of the Affiliate by a date set by the Board of Directors. The terms of all officers will begin June 1. Nomination and elections of Officers will be in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4

The term of office for the President, President-Elect, and Immediate Past-President shall be for a period of one (1) year. The term of office for the Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Membership/Communication, and Director-at-Large shall be for a period of two (2) years. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President without prejudice to the ensuing term of office.

All other midterm vacancies shall be filled by presidential appointment and approved by a majority of the officers.

SECTION 5

The officers shall have full authority to conduct the affairs of the Affiliate between meetings of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 6

Such authority must remain within the provisions of and not conflict with the bylaws, decisions, actions, or policies established by the Affiliate.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

The officers of the board shall be the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Membership/Communication, and Director-at-Large. Duties of the Officers of the Board shall be delineated in the Board Policy and Procedure Manual.

ARTICLE VI: FINANCE

SECTION 1

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for maintaining the fiscal integrity of the Affiliate and for ensuring financial stability and growth. The Treasurer will serve as the chief financial officer of the Affiliate.

SECTION 2

Income shall be derived from sources consistent with the purpose and mission of the Affiliate. Affiliate funds shall be invested in instruments that are insured and/or are of a type and level of risk approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall periodically review the types of instruments and the level of risk allowed for investments. All financial transactions, fees, and references made thereto will be in U.S. funds.

SECTION 3

The financial and accounting records of the Affiliate will be compiled into a summary report at the close of the fiscal year in a manner prescribed by the Board of Directors. The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

SECTION 1

The Affiliate President, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, shall establish, maintain, and dissolve such standing and ad hoc committees as may be needed to conduct its business and activities. Chairs of each committee will be selected and appointed by the President.

SECTION 2

Chairs of standing and ad hoc committees may be expected to attend Board meetings and report on activities of their respective committees. Committee chairs function in an adjunct and advisory manner to the board and do not have voting privileges on Board matters.

ARTICLE VIII: IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL

An elected officer may be impeached by the Board of Directors for actions that are seriously negligent, fraudulent, illegal, and/or unethical within the duties of the respective office. Impeachment procedures will be delineated in the Board Policy and Procedure Manual.

ARTICLE IX: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The most current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order shall be the Parliamentary guidelines for proceedings of the Affiliate whenever it does not conflict with the Constitution and /or these bylaws.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1

Amendments or other changes in these bylaws may be initiated in the following ways:

1. The President may propose amendments.
2. The Board of Directors may propose amendments.
3. Any active voting member may submit, in writing, a proposed amendment to the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2

The Board of Directors will consider the proposed amendment(s) upon approval of a simple majority of the Board of Directors; the amendment shall be made available to the entire membership for vote. Upon two-thirds approval of those voting from the general membership, the amendment shall become part of these bylaws.

We would like to thank our vendors and sponsors for their support and participation.

• For All Abilities
• Christal Vision
• Texas Workforce Commission-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division
• TextHelp
• The Texas ABLE Program
• Also, a big thank you to all our members who have volunteered their time, and to the Visit Lubbock team for all their help!

Don’t forget:

• Turn in your CEU forms.
• Pick up/pay for your auction items.
• Complete the conference survey. https://www.txahead.org/evaluation/