The WILL to Overcome: The Will Johnson Story

This poster will summarize how I, an individual with an Intellectual Disability, am actively pursuing my dreams. With the support of my family and state agencies (i.e. LRS and PAYCheck), I learned skills that helped me become independent and hold a full-time job. As I share my story, I will guide participants along the stops I have made in my post-secondary journey.

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Assessing the Food Security Status of South Dakota Families Who Have Children with Disabilities

This poster reports the preliminary results of a pilot study that aimed to assess the prevalence of food insecurity among South Dakota families among families who have disabilities, and what factors are associated with food insecurity in this population. This would be especially relevant to Family and Nutrition disciplines.

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Mindful Walking for Older South Asian Family Caregivers of People with Cognitive Disabilities: A Pilot Study

This poster shares the pilot study of a mindful walking intervention being conducted with older South Asian family caregivers of people with Cognitive Disabilities. The 12-week intervention combines the physical activity (PA) of walking and the cognitive training through mindfulness. We are assessing the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, and explore its preliminary efficacy in reducing psychological stress, improving cognitive function, increasing PA, and increasing self-efficacy.

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PODER Familiar: A Culturally Tailored Health Intervention for Latino Families of Children with IDD

This poster describes PODER Familiar, a two-site (Texas and Illinois) culturally tailored health intervention aimed to promote the health and well-being of Latina family caregivers and their children with IDD. Using the peer mentors model to deliver the intervention, we evaluated the intervention using a mixed-methods design and will be presenting the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of the family caregiver and child with IDD.

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Choosing the Right Interventions for ASD and Beyond: A Resource for Providers and Parents

The poster lays out a resource that can be used by providers and parents when they are making the difficult decision of determining appropriate interventions to try with their children with disabilities. This presentation will provide resources as well as demonstrate the usefulness of posting said resources on the Rhode Island Medical Home Portal in order to make it available to more people across the state.

The Importance of Alternatives to Guardianship for People with Disabilities: Exploring Options Through a Self-Determined Lens

This poster reviews the landscape of guardianship, particularly in New York State. It informs the viewer of the unintended consequences of guardianship for people with disabilities and offers less restrictive alternatives, focusing on Supported Decision-Making, a promising and recently introduced legal option in New York State. The evidence-based information included in the poster highlights data from a recent survey on guardianship and alternatives disseminated to stakeholders statewide.

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The Role of Parent Activation in Autistic Youths' Self-Determination

Identifying ways to support self-determination in autistic transition-aged youth is critical, as self-determination skills are associated with better post-school outcomes and higher quality of life. The present study found that parent activation related to higher self-determination skills for youth with lower support needs and families with higher quality parent-child relationships. Change in parent activation across a year also related to change in self-determination for youth with higher support needs.

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Emerging Leaders in Advocacy: LEND Capitol Day in Texas

In April 2024, ACT LEND (Austin), LoneStar LEND (Houston), and Help Me Grow trainees (El Paso) held Advocacy Day at the Texas State Capitol. Goals included engaging as constituents, exploring advocacy topics, crafting policy one-pagers, learning from experts, and educating legislative staff. Advocacy Day provides the opportunity for interdisciplinary emerging leaders to learn about policy and advocacy. This experience is fundamental in developing advocacy and leadership skills for LEND trainees.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Supporting Disabled Parents

AI Empowering Disabled Parents: Opportunities and Risks This poster examines AI's role in supporting parents with disabilities, showcasing assistive technologies, learning tools, and communication aids. We'll explore AI's potential to enhance parental autonomy and family connections, while also addressing possible risks and ethical concerns. Relevant to disability studies, psychology, family advocates, social work, and disability advocacy, this poster will explore the future of inclusive parenting technologies.

It Is Never Failure to Thrive But the Need of an Accessory of Exigency to Launch

It takes a comprehensive support system to empower an individual living with a disability to transition into their best self-sufficient and self-independent version of themselves in which they are confident in cultivating their full potential.

Creating Inclusive Campuses: The Impact of Disability Student Advocacy Clubs

Explore the benefits of disability student advocacy clubs on college campuses, focusing on enhancing inclusion, support, and awareness. Relevant to educators, disability services, student affairs, and advocacy groups, this session will discuss research findings and practical strategies for fostering inclusive environments through student-led advocacy.

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Advocacy is Everywhere!

Advocacy, in its myriad forms, serves as a powerful catalyst for social change, personal empowerment, and community development. At its core, advocacy involves speaking up for oneself or others to influence policies, practices, and perceptions that affect human lives. This poster will highlight the importance of advocacy and identify its various forms.

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An Inclusive Applications-Based Cooking and Nutrition Program for Minoritized Families of Children with Disabilities in a Food Apartheid

The National Children's Center, Early Learning Center nutrition team, Georgetown University students, a GU family physician consultant collaborated to implement a cooking and nutrition education program. This initiative utilizes the communal nature of food and emphasizes inclusive, nutritious meals tailored for diverse communities. Emphasizing a neurodiverse lens, this multimodal approach empowers families to reflect on their traditions and legacies while learning how to create their own nutritious dishes at home.

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Universal Design LEND: Core Competencies in Self-Advocacy

The LEND Self-Advocacy Discipline competencies are challenging for self-advocates to read and comprehend, making it difficult for them to understand the expectations of working with LEND. I aim to develop a universal design model to assist self-advocates in understanding their supportive roles and the expectations of a LEND trainee.

Adapting to Crisis: Experiences of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic in D.C.

This session explores the experiences of individuals with IDD during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on healthcare access, social support, and adaptations to technology. It highlights barriers faced by this population and provides recommendations to improve emergency preparedness and healthcare delivery. Relevant disciplines include public health, family medicine, disability studies, and healthcare policy. Participants will gain insights into improving services for individuals with IDD in future public health crises.

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