Best Practices in Inclusive Education: Wisconsin Summer Institute

WISCONSIN’S 15TH ANNUAL STATE-WIDE INSTITUTE ON BEST PRACTICES IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION - 2008  

This year’s program offers some exciting information on Best Practices in Inclusion, Literacy, Transition, Autism, and Collaboration. Ralph, Emily, & D.J. Savarese are national speakers, authors, & advocates. Ralph and Emily are both professional educators who adopted D.J. as a six-year old. D.J. has autism, is nonverbal, and effectively uses alternative communication. He wrote the last chapter of Ralph Savarese’s recent book, “Reasonable People: A Memoir of Autism and Adoption.” The Savarese’s were recently featured on ABC’s “Nightly News with Charles Gibson,” CNN’s “ Anderson Cooper 360,” and NPR’s “The Diane Rehm Show.” Newsweek described the book, “Reasonable People” as a “Real life story and an urgent manifesto for the rights of people with neurological disabilities.” This book traces the development of D.J., a boy mistakenly thought to be profoundly retarded, and now, successfully earning high grades in general education classes, including High School Honors English. Neither a typical story of autism nor simply a challenge to expert opinion, it is an illuminating and ongoing story of one family’s journey together. D.J.’s insightful comments on living with autism and how people with disabilities are underestimated are not to be missed! In two follow-up sessions, Emily will discuss their specific and successful approach to teaching D.J. to read and write, as well as how K-12 teachers can use appropriate curricular modifications to promote meaningful participation throughout the academic areas of Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts.

Our keynote speaker on Wednesday is Ben D. Anderson, founder of “Break Through, Inc.”

Ben was born with Cerebral Palsy and misdiagnosed with an IQ of 63. He was placed in a residential special education school for several years. Thirty years ago, Ben began a non-profit organization, “Break Through, Inc.,” which provides awareness and inclusion training. In 1992, Ben graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stout with a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Rehabilitation with an emphasis on Community-based Services. In 2006, he was appointed by Governor Jim Doyle to the Rehabilitation Council. Ben has also served as a consultant on ADA requirements. He has spent more than 30 years as a self-advocate who has spoken nation-wide on Inclusion and Self-Advocacy. Ben will present on the psychological and emotional effects of growing up with a disability. Furthermore, he will share how a person with a disability can overcome obstacles, develop strong self determination and self advocacy skills, and collaboratively engage the school and community in disability advocacy.

In addition to the keynote speakers, general and special educators, DPI consultants, and other professionals from across Wisconsin will present forums and facilitate discussions on: Autism; Literacy; Math; Transition; Understanding Behavior; Accommodations & Modifications; Aligning Staff for Effective Collaboration & Inclusion; Interfacing Extended and General Education Standards; Using the Arts to Build Inclusion; Bridging Communication Gaps for Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing;Working Collaboratively with Parents; & Self-Advocacy. Finally, there will be several opportunities for team & individual planning as well as networking with professionals, presenters, & colleagues.

The first opportunity for networking will begin on Monday evening at 6:00 p.m., at which time everyone attending is invited to gather for the Institute’s Opening Networking Social. Another Networking Social will be on Tuesday from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. These Networking Socials will be held on the Westwood Conference Center Upper Deck and Lounge. Please plan to join us for door prizes, snacks, beverages, and conversation.

The option of registering for 3 Graduate Credits is also available through your attendance and participation in the Institute. Graduate credits will be offered through Cardinal Stritch University . The tuition cost for the 3 Graduate credits is an additional $585. Detailed information on the graduate course will be provided at an informational meeting on Tuesday, July 29 from 4:00-4:30 at the Institute. If you are considering this course credit option and have questions, please feel free to contact me prior to the Institute by telephone (414-881-8101) or e-mail (Beloin@att.net ).

Cordially,

Kim S. Beloin, Ph.D
Director: State-wide Institute on Best Practices in Inclusive Education &
Adjunct Associate Professor of Education/Special Education