The Association for Successful Parenting (TASP) proudly presents
2026 Chance to Parent Conference
Building Bridges: Strengthening Community Connections and Advocacy for Parents with IDD
📅 March 12 & 13, 2026 | 📍 Phoenix, Arizona
We're Back!
After a 7-year hiatus from in-person conferences, we are excited to be hosting our next conference in conjunction with the Arizona State University School of Social Work on March 12 & 13, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Join us for two days of learning, networking, and building bridges for parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Building Bridges
This year's theme focuses on breaking down silos and strengthening the community fabric that surrounds and supports parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
This year's TASP conference will highlight advocacy efforts, community-based models, and relationship-driven practices that reinforce a parent's right to raise their children with dignity and connection.
What You'll Gain
🤝
Enhanced Collaboration
Gain tools to enhance collaboration across sectors and strengthen partnerships that support families.
🎤
Learn from Leaders
Hear from self-advocate leaders and center the lived experiences of parents with IDD.
💡
Relationship-Driven Practice
Explore what it means to truly walk alongside families, not ahead of them.
🌐
Community Connection
Strengthen community and systems-based partnerships that promote advocacy and inclusion.
📚
Innovative Practices
Learn about new and innovative practice, policy, and research at local, state, national, and international levels.
⚖️
Equitable Support
Promote equitable parenting support for individuals with IDD while centering dignity and rights.
Who Should Attend?
The 2026 TASP Conference offers social workers, legal professionals, policy makers, researchers, direct service providers, parents, and others, an opportunity to learn about innovative practice, policy and research. The conference can benefit anyone working with and/or supporting a parent with an intellectual or developmental disability, as well as parents themselves!
Social Workers
Legal Professionals
Policy Makers
Researchers
Direct Service Providers
Parents with IDD
Family Members
Community Partners
Conference Experience
🎤 Keynote Presentations
Hear from leading experts Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot and Dr. Karyn Harvey on disability policy, trauma-informed care, and advocacy.
👥 Parent Panel
Listen to authentic voices and lived experiences from parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
📋 Breakout Sessions
Choose from 25+ sessions covering direct services, community approaches, policy, legal perspectives, and current research.
🗣️ Plenary Sessions
Participate in inclusive and interdisciplinary discussions to create positive outcomes for families.
🤝 Networking
Share knowledge and network among a broad scope of stakeholders across all disabilities.
🍽️ Meals Included
Coffee, pastries, and lunch provided both days—perfect opportunities for informal connections.
Featured Keynote Speakers
Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot
Director and Distinguished Professor of Social Policy, ASU School of Social Work
Leading expert on disability policy and the intersections of disability with child welfare, aging, and abuse.
Thursday, March 12, 9:00 AM
Dr. Karyn Harvey
Psychologist/Author/Trainer/Speaker
Trauma & Recovery: The Right to Heal
Expert in trauma-informed support for people with IDD with 35+ years of clinical experience.
Friday, March 13, 9:00 AM
Join Us in Building Bridges
Register now and be part of this transformative conference supporting parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Conference Registration
Join us for two full days of learning, connection, and advocacy
🎉 Early Bird Special!
Register by December 31, 2025 and save on registration fees
What's Included
Dates
March 12-13, 2026 | Two full days of content
Morning Refreshments
Coffee and pastries provided both mornings
Lunch Included
Full lunch provided both days
Expert Speakers
Keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions
Networking Opportunities
Connect with professionals, advocates, and families
Registration Rates
Standard Rate
Early Bird (Until Dec 31)
$199 Save $51
Regular Rate (After Dec 31)
$250
Reduced Rate
Self-Advocates & Students
Early Bird (Until Dec 31)
$75 Save $25
Regular Rate (After Dec 31)
$100
📌 Registration open October 1, 2025 - February 15, 2026
Ready to Register?
Secure your spot at the 2026 TASP Conference and be part of building bridges for parents with IDD
Register NowQuestions?
For additional details, please refer to our FAQ page or contact us at info@achancetoparent.net
TASP CONFERENCE 2026
Conference Schedule
March 12-13, 2026 • Phoenix, Arizona
DAY 1: Thursday, March 12, 2026
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Registration & Coffee / Visit Exhibitors
8:45AM-9:00AM
Welcome
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Keynote: Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Break / Visit Exhibitors Travel to Breakout 1
10:00 AM – 11:10 AM
Session Breakouts 1
11:10AM-11:20AM
Break / Visit Exhibitors Travel to Main Space
11:20PM-12:00PM
Cathy Haarstad, TASP Board President, More Support for Parents
12:00PM-1:00PM
Lunch & Networking / Visit Exhibitors
1:00PM-1:10PM
Break / Visit Exhibitors Travel to Breakout 2
1:10PM-2:20PM
Session Breakouts 2
2:20PM-2:25PM
Break / Visit Exhibitors Travel to break out 3
2:30PM-3:40PM
Session Breakouts 3
3:40PM-3:50PM
Break / Visit Exhibitors Travel to Main Space
3:50PM-4:00PM
Day 1 Close
4:00-4:30PM
Networking/Visit Exhibitors
DAY 1 BREAKOUT 1: 10:00 AM - 11:10 AM
1
From Advocacy to Action: Enforcing ADA Protections for Parents with IDD
Lead Presenter: MJ (Maleeka) Jihad
2
Preventing Family Separation at Birth: Training Doulas to Support Parents with Disabilities
Lead Presenter: Sarah Lorr
3
Research Better Together-Building Community Partnerships
Lead Presenter: Susan Jones
4
Pregnancy in people with IDD is public health: Using public health methods to improve pregnancy experiences and outcomes in people with IDD
Lead Presenter: Eric Rubenstein
DAY 1 BREAKOUT 2: 1:10 PM - 2:20 PM
1
The Numbers Gap: Making Sense of Testing Results
Lead Presenter: Margo Townley, MSW, PsyD
2
Tailored Services – Maryland Strategies and Perspectives for Representing IDD Parents in Child Welfare Cases
Lead Presenter: Kenneth Wardlaw
3
Usage and Engagement in a Digital Intervention for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities who are Parents of Infants
Lead Presenter: Ed Feil
4
Enhancing your Professional Toolbox of Parent Training Strategies when Supporting Parents with Intellectual Disabilities
Lead Presenter: Trupti Rao
DAY 1 BREAKOUT 3: 2:30 PM - 3:40 PM
1
Ensuring Equity in Child Welfare: Applying the ADA and Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to Support Birth Parents
Lead Presenter: Roberta Rinker
2
True Inclusion in family life
Lead Presenter: Ivanova Smith
3
An End to “Insight”; Centering the lived experience of Parents with Intellectual Disabilities in the Courtroom.
Lead Presenter: Amy Armstrong
4
Recalled lived experience of children welfare involvement and growing up with a parent with intellectual disability
Lead Presenter: Morgan Siska
5
Raising Families: Disability Justice and Intersectional Identities
Lead Presenter: Dr. Julie Clockston
DAY 2: Friday, March 13, 2026
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Registration & Coffee / Visit Exhibitors
8:45AM-9:00AM
Welcome
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Keynote: Dr. Karyn Harvey, Trauma and Recovery: The Right to Heal
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Break / Visit Exhibitors Travel to Breakout 4
10:00 AM – 11:10 AM
Session Breakouts 4
11:10AM-11:20AM
Break / Visit Exhibitors Travel to Breakout 5
11:20PM-12:30PM
Session Breakouts 5
12:30PM-1:15PM
Lunch & Networking / Visit Exhibitors
1:15PM-1:30PM
Break / Visit Exhibitors Travel to Breakout 6
1:30PM-2:40PM
Session Breakout 6
2:40PM-2:50PM
Break / Visit Exhibitors Travel to Main Space
2:50PM-3:50PM
Parent Panel with Lisa Simmons, Lindsay Brillhart, Quiana Mayo, and Ivanova Smith
3:50PM-4:00PM
Closing Remarks
DAY 2 BREAKOUT 4: 10:00 AM - 11:10 AM
1
Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities
Lead Presenter: Maureen van Stone
2
PATHS: Providing Accessible Training and Home Support for Parents with Intellectual Disabilities
Lead Presenter: Sara Clancey
3
Challenging Ideals of Motherhood: Perceptions of Disability and Babywearing as an Inclusive Practice
Lead Presenter: Alissa Inzunza
4
I/DD and the Criminal Justice System: Victims, Police Contact, and Policies
Lead Presenter: Ezequiel Dominguez
DAY 2 BREAKOUT 5: 11:20 AM - 12:30 PM
1
Proud Parents--Leadership & Encouragement for ALL Parents
Lead Presenter: Lu Freitas
2
The Measure of Belonging: Assessing Supports and Using AI to Strengthen Advocacy and Community for Parents with IDD
Lead Presenter: Nicole Brisson
4
Dreaming Beyond High School: Supporting Students with Intellectual Disability and Families to Navigate Inclusive Postsecondary Education
Lead Presenter: Lyndsey Nunes
DAY 2 BREAKOUT 6: 1:30 PM - 2:40 PM
1
Lets Be Creative! Best Practices for Supporting Parents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Navigating the Child Welfare System
Lead Presenter: Kelli Nagel
2
Self Care - Taking Care of You!
Lead Presenter: Karyn Harvey
*Schedule subject to change
Meet our Keynote and Session Speakers!
Keynote Speakers
Join us for inspiring keynotes from leading voices in disability advocacy and support
We are honored to welcome two exceptional keynote speakers to the 2026 TASP Conference. Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot and Dr. Karyn Harvey bring decades of expertise, groundbreaking research, and deep commitment to supporting parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot
Director and Distinguished Professor of Social Policy, ASU School of Social Work (SSW)
📅 Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Opening Keynote Address
Opening Keynote Address
Elizabeth Lightfoot is Director and Distinguished Professor of Social Policy at the Arizona State University School of Social Work. Lightfoot's research centers on disability policy and services, with a focus on the intersections of disability with child welfare, aging, disparities, and abuse.
She has conducted numerous projects investigating the interactions of parents and children with disabilities in the child welfare system and her research findings have been used as evidence in the creation of national policies involving disability.
Distinguished Career: Before coming to ASU, she was the Global Distinguished Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work for 23 years.
Dr. Karyn Harvey
Psychologist/Author/Trainer/Speaker
Trauma & Recovery: The Right to Heal
📅 Friday, March 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Closing Keynote Address
Closing Keynote Address
Karyn Harvey has worked as a clinician in the field of intellectual disabilities for over 35 years. She has her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland.
She has written three books: Positive Identity Development, Trauma-Informed Behavioral Interventions, and Trauma and Healing, as well as several chapters in various publications and a variety of articles.
She currently has a private practice and does therapy with people with intellectual disabilities. In addition, she regularly conducts trainings on trauma-informed support for people with IDD, trauma-informed leadership, and trauma-informed behavioral interventions for both state and individual organizations throughout the US and Canada.
Award-Winning Clinician: She has trained numerous trainers throughout the United States and Canada in conducting trauma-informed supports training. In the last several years she has received awards for her clinical service from NADD, START and AAIDD.
Don't Miss These Inspiring Keynotes
Register now to secure your spot at the 2026 TASP Conference
Register for ConferenceTASP CONFERENCE 2026
Presenter Directory
March 12-13, 2026 • Phoenix, Arizona
DAY 1 BREAKOUT 1: 10:00 AM - 11:10 AM
From Advocacy to Action: Enforcing ADA Protections for Parents with IDD
MJ (Maleeka) Jihad
MJ (Maleeka Jihad) is the Founder & CEO of MJ Consulting and Executive Director of the MJCF: Coalition, where she provides expert consultation, testimony, and training at the intersections of family defense, disability rights, and racial justice. A Black and Muscogee (Creek) woman with both lived and professional expertise, she has supported attorneys, social workers, and advocates nationwide in protecting parents’ rights under the ADA. With over a decade of experience as a strategist, trainer, and community leader, MJ’s work centers on culturally conscious leadership, family preservation, and the enforcement of civil rights for parents with disabilities.
Preventing Family Separation at Birth: Training Doulas to Support Parents with Disabilities
Sarah Lorr
Sarah Lorr is a professor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Her research focuses on disability and family law, specifically studying the role of disability in the family regulation system and the right of people with disabilities to marry. She is a member of the Academic Advisory Board of the Family Justice Law Center and the chair of the AALS Section on Disability Law. Prior to joining Maryland Carey Law, she was a supervising attorney at Brooklyn Defender Services Family Defense Practice. She also co-directed the Disability and Civil Rights Clinic at Brooklyn Law School.
Saskia Valencia
Professor Valencia is the interim director of the Disability and Civil Rights Clinic and Visiting Assistant Professor of Law. Prior to joining the Clinic, initially as a teacher, she was a senior staff attorney at Brooklyn Defender Services' Family Defense Practice (BDS) where she represented parents and caregivers accused of abuse and neglect. At BDS, Professor Valencia was a member of the Preserving Family Bonds team, which had a specialty focus on post-dispositional and termination of parental rights-stage cases with the goal of supporting families in innovative ways to achieve the most favorable resolution possible to preserve families’ bonds.
Prianka Nair
Professor Nair joined Cardozo as the Co-Director of the Bet Tzedek Civil Litigation Clinic after serving as Assistant Professor of Clinical Law and Director of the Disability and Civil Rights Clinic at Brooklyn Law School. Previously, she worked at Disability Rights New York, where she conducted abuse and neglect investigations, focusing on access to services in correctional facilities across New York State. Professor Nair earned her law degree in Australia and served as a Solicitor for the Australian federal government before completing her LL.M. at Columbia Law School, where she was a James Kent Scholar.
Research Better Together-Building Community Partnerships
Susan Jones
Susans' career specialized in supporting parents with IDD. She’s one of the founders of The Association for Successful Parenting, a Senior Board Member, and a trainer. Before her retirement, she served as the Department Director of the Family and Youth Services Department at The United Arc in Turners Falls, MA, which provides comprehensive services to parents with learning differences. Susan has conducted training on working with parents with intellectual disabilities, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Most recently, she has been consulting with Brandeis University as a Community Engagement Specialist and a member of the Massachusetts Partnerships for Supporting Parents with IDD.
Joanne Nicholson
Joanne Nicholson, PhD, mother of 4 and grandmother of 6, is a clinical and research psychologist, Professor at the Institute for Behavioral Health at Brandeis University, and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the UMass Chan Medical School. Her research is applied and community-engaged, focusing on the development, implementation, testing, and sustainability of interventions, services, and supports for families living with behavioral health conditions and disability. Individuals with lived experience are partners in these projects, which include the critical, ongoing contributions of an active team of mothers with IDD.
Betsy Misch
Growing up with a sister living with a disability and working in the field for over two decades, Betsy has spent most of her life advocating for the rights of individuals living with disabilities. Betsy is currently the Director of The United Arc’s Family and Youth Services Department. She sits on the board of The Association for Successful Parenting and The Ma Partnership for Supporting Parents Living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Betsy has provided training to the University of Massachusetts Psychological and Brain Sciences Studies Dept., the Arc, and the Children’s Trust of Massachusetts
Pregnancy in People with IDD Is Public Health: Using Public Health Methods to Improve Pregnancy Experiences and Outcomes in People with IDD
Eric Rubenstein
Eric Rubenstein, PhD, ScM, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health. Dr. Rubenstein's work covers issues that impact health and well-being across the life course for people with IDD. He has extensive work examining phenotype and service type in children on the autism spectrum. Dr. Rubenstein uses Medicaid data to examine service use and health outcomes for people with IDD who are often served by the public insurance system. That work cannot be done without input and collaboration from the IDD community.
Laura Graham Holmes
Dr. Graham Holmes is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Silberman School of Social Work at CUNY Hunter College. She is an interdisciplinary scholar and educator whose mission is to facilitate health and flourishing among autistic people using neurodiversity-affirming, community-engaged approaches, and to build capacity among healthcare professionals to support this diverse population. She develops and implements peer-facilitated interventions for autistic people that address overlooked, critical needs in the community. These include healthy relationships, sexual and reproductive health, substance use disorder prevention, chronic pain management, and the ways that sexual and gender identity shape health.
Ashley Scott
Ashley Scott is a project manager with Dr. Eric Rubenstein at Boston University’s School of Public Health. She supports research to improve the health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and currently leads a qualitative study about health care experiences and outcomes for pregnant women with IDD. Ashley also manages a co-research team of researchers with and without Down syndrome to conduct research about issues important to the Down syndrome community.
DAY 1 BREAKOUT 2: 1:10 PM - 2:20 PM
The Numbers Gap: Making Sense of Testing Results
Margo Townley, MSW, PsyD
I have been a psychologist for more than 10 years after nearly 20 years as a Social Worker in under-served, rural areas. As a self-employed consultant for those involved with Massachusetts CPS/DCF, I offer guidance for caring for vulnerable children and families by providing assessments that merge my Social Work and PsyD. I provide a strengths-based approach, making information and results accessible and understandable so that meaningful services and changes are possible for people and institutions. Examining the effects trauma, poverty, intergenerational issues, and other factors have on available choices and outcomes helps to increase understanding and promote social justice.
Tailored Services – Maryland Strategies AND Perspectives FOR Representing IDD Parents IN Child Welfare Cases
Kenneth Wardlaw
Kenneth Wardlaw has been practicing child welfare law for over 30 years. Mr. Wardlaw worked for the Maryland Disability Law Center, Maryland’s then protection and advocacy agency from 2001 to 2003, working in their IDD division and co-writing the amicus brief in the case establishing the “tailored services” standard for IDD parents. Since 2004, Mr. Wardlaw has represented parents, including many with IDD issues, in CINA cases with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender’s, Parental Defense Division and now serves as the Supervising Attorney for their Southern Maryland Office.
Sheila Long
Since 2010, Ms. Long has represented parents in CINA cases for Maryland’s Public Defender’s Office. Her case experience includes representing parents with IDD. A fierce and dedicated advocate for parents, Ms. Long has over 15 years of relevant CINA work experience and currently serves as a Senior Staff Attorney for the Southern Maryland Parental Defense Division as well as a board member for the Family Recovery Court.
Elizabeth VanHorn
Elizabeth VanHorn, LCSW-C, has worked with Maryland’s Office of the Public Defender as part of the Parental Defense Division since 2022. Prior to joining OPD, Elizabeth served as the Deputy Director for Programs at Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children of New York City where she was a member of the staff for nearly ten years. During Elizabeth’s tenure at CASA NYC, her work centered around advocating for families as they navigated the family policing system. These roles provided Elizabeth direct insight into various inequities that families navigating the family policing system and inspired her to join an interdisciplinary team.
Usage and Engagement in a Digital Intervention for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Who Are Parents of Infants
Ed Feil
Ed Feil, Ph.D., an educational psychologist and ORI Senior Scientist, has been a member of the ORI research community since 1993. Dr. Feil has authored papers on early intervention assessment methodology, interactive Internet interventions, and early child psychopathology. His research has focused on early childhood and incorporating Internet technology into the delivery of evidence-based interventions to hard-to-reach populations.
Kendra Guinness
Kendra Guinness received her Ph.D. in behavior analysis from Simmons University. Her primary research interest is developing and evaluating technology-based interventions to teach skills to adult learners, focusing on applications with paraprofessionals, caregivers, and students in higher education settings. Dr. Guinness is a board-certified behavior analyst at the doctoral level (BCBA-D) and a licensed applied behavior analyst (LABA) in the state of Massachusetts. Her clinical background involves working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other behavior challenges with an emphasis on caregiver consultation and early intervention.
Betsy Davis
Betsy Davis received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology/Research Methodology and Statistics from the University of Oregon in 1992. Her primary research interest focuses on how to establish successful community-research relationships and build respectful cross-cultural bridges between non-majority cultures and mainstream evidence-based programs. This focus is predicated on understanding the societal factors that contribute to health disparities in non-majority cultures and how these factors affect our ability to truly address disparities through mainstream research.
Enhancing Your Professional Toolbox of Parent Training Strategies When Supporting Parents with Intellectual Disabilities
Trupti Rao
Trupti Rao, Psy.D. is a New York State Licensed Clinical Psychologist who serves as the Director of Child Welfare Services and Psychology Training at the Westchester Institute for Human Development in NY. She co-developed a curriculum to provide intensive in-home parent training for parents with intellectual disabilities, and has presented about the program at both local presentations and national conferences. Additional activities at WIHD include overseeing a continuum of child welfare programs and coordinating psychology doctoral level training activities. Her research interest lies in the intersection of developmental disabilities and child welfare.
Varsha Bhatnagar
Varsha Bhatnagar, PsyD. works at the Westchester Institute for Human Development. Dr. Bhatnagar is a New York Licensed Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about parenting, equity, and serving underserved communities. Dr. Bhatnagar has a plethora of experience working with parents, conducting parenting assessments, and working with neurodiverse clients. Currently, she serves as a supervisor for the clinicians of Project Impact which is a parenting program for parents with intellectual disabilities.
DAY 1 BREAKOUT 3: 2:30 PM - 3:40 PM
Ensuring Equity in Child Welfare: Applying the ADA and Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to Support Birth Parents
Roberta Rinker
Roberta Rinker, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, has over 25 years of experience in the fields of child welfare and adoption, education, and public defense. She has spent her career advocating and supporting biological parents at the intersection of disability and child welfare. Their work focuses on strengthening systemic accountability, training professionals, and developing family-centered policies. She has extensive experience collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, including attorneys, child welfare professionals, service and advocacy organizations that support individuals with intellectual disabilities to develop comprehensive service plans to allow for the successful reunification of children with their biological families.
True Inclusion in Family Life
Ivanova Smith
I am transnational adopted and an immigrant from Latvia. I was institutionalized for first five and half years of my life. I was in special education through my schooling and my mother fight for me have access to acedemics. My parents supporting me becoming an adult I eventually got married and had two daughters Alexandra and Hildegard. but I had to deal lots stigma having idd and being disabled parents when with all great things I done. Like getting my BA in history and career and policy change that make services more person centered
Recalled Lived Experience of Children Welfare Involvement and Growing Up with a Parent with Intellectual Disability
Morgan Siska
I am a social worker with a MSW, working on my PhD dissertation about children growing up with their parent with intellectual disability. I completed training and advocacy as part of the 2019 New Hampshire Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities culminating in a petitioning to ban the use of restraint in school. I practiced for 10 years as a social worker in the UK in child protection, families in need, and children placed in foster care and adoption. I was responsible for seeking the child’s voice in decision-making, conducting parenting assessments, and producing reports and court statements.
Raising Families: Disability Justice and Intersectional Identities
Dr. Julie Clockston
Dr. Julie Clockston (She/Her/Hers) is a seasoned social work professional with 30 years of experience serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She holds a BSSW, MSW, and Doctor of Social Work and specializes in trauma-informed care using EMDR and Brainspotting. A former president of NASW Colorado and TASP, she leads national training initiatives for professionals working with parents with cognitive challenges. Dr. Clockston is a tenure-track professor, mentor, and Metropolitan State University of Denver’s 2025 President’s Faculty Fellow. She currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to the President and is a member of CSWE’s Council on Disability.
Sydney Jackson Clockston
Sydney Jackson-Clockston is a leadership development coach, business strategist, and founder of Citrine Unlimited LLC. With over a decade of experience supporting entrepreneurs, mission-driven organizations, and women in leadership, Sydney specializes in guiding changemakers to grow their influence, build meaningful professional networks, and lead with authenticity. She has supported hundreds of business owners through pivotal transitions, partnered with startups' capacity-building strategies, and facilitated mentorship circles. Sydney is a staple in the disability community. Working to include and support individuals with cognitive and other disabilities. Sydney is also an award-winning author and a sought-after speaker known for delivering engaging, actionable workshops.
DAY 2 BREAKOUT 4: 10:00 AM - 11:10 AM
Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities
Maureen van Stone
Maureen is an assistant vice president and the director of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute (Maryland’s designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities), and the founder of Project HEAL. Maureen is an associate faculty for the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and affiliate faculty for the Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Maureen is a member of Kennedy Krieger’s ethics program. Maureen serves on the boards of directors of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities and Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.
Mallory Legg
Mallory Legg is the director of Project HEAL and serves on the board of directors of Maryland First Disability Trust. Mallory serves as the co-chair of the membership committee of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to the field of special education law.
Paths: Providing Accessible Training and Home Support for Parents with Intellectual Disabilities
Sara Clancey
Sara Clancey is an occupational therapist who has spent her career serving children and their families. Sara is the Assistant Director for Community Services at the Institute for Human Development at Northern Arizona University. She is involved with many different projects serving children and parents with disabilities and was the project director for the PATHS program.
Nicole Rambeau
Nicole Rambeau is a pediatric occupational therapist who primarily provides early intervention services to families living on the Navajo Nation. She provided project coordination support to the PATHS program & has helped to curate content for trainings.
Lindsay Brillhart
Challenging Ideals of Motherhood: Perceptions of Disability and Babywearing as an Inclusive Practice
Alissa Inzunza
Alissa Inzunza, LMSW, recently graduated from Arizona State University, where she served as a research assistant and completed a thesis examining perceptions of mothers with disabilities. She was a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Fellow, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to supporting children and families with neurodevelopmental disabilities. She is beginning her career as a therapist and plans to pursue a PhD in the future, with professional interests centered on disability, family support, and advancing inclusive practices through both research and clinical work.
Lela Rankin
Lela Rankin, PhD, is a professor in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University. A former U.S. Fulbright Scholar, she served as the Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Psychology at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she advanced research on parenting practices. Her scholarship focuses on preventive interventions for vulnerable children and families, with expertise in longitudinal and mixed-method designs. She has led multiple federally funded studies, authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, and is internationally recognized for her work on infant carriers as a tool to enhance parenting and promote infant development.
IDD and the Criminal Justice System: Victims, Police Contact, and Policies
Ezequiel Dominguez
Ezequiel Y. Dominguez, MSW, is a social work PhD student at Arizona State University. Raised in the U.S. Southwest, his work is informed by family and community histories of migration and labor, grounding a research and advocacy agenda dedicated to addressing exploitation in overlooked and underserved populations. He serves as Director of the Arizona Labor Trafficking Outreach (ALTO) project, which he co-founded in 2021 to bridge academic research with community action. Through ALTO, he leads trainings, develops outreach strategies, and partners with local and national organizations to strengthen awareness and responses to labor trafficking across the state and beyond.
Danielle Wallace
Dr. Danielle Wallace is a Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and an Associate Director at the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety at Arizona State University. Dr. Wallace’s research focuses on how identities, like race/ethnicity and disability status, shape police interactions as well as creating practical and data-driven solutions to problems facing policing, with a focus on creating and revamping policies and practices in police organizations.
Isabella Castillo
Isabella E. Castillo, M.A., is a doctoral student in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. Her research examines disability, policing, race, ethnicity, safety, and well-being.
Pratiksha Dangle
Pratiksha Dangle is a PhD Candidate in Social Work at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on disability inclusion, diversity, and social justice in higher education, with particular attention to peer relations and attitudes toward disability, especially neurodiversity, in cross-cultural contexts. Beyond higher education, her scholarship explores intersectionality, analyzing how disability interacts with gender, race, ethnicity, and class to influence opportunities, barriers, and social participation across diverse contexts.
DAY 2 BREAKOUT 5: 11:20 AM - 12:30 PM
Proud Parents--Leadership & Encouragement for ALL Parents
Lu Freitas
Lu has over 40 years of experience supporting and advocating for families with disabilities. At the conference, the parents will be presenting and facilitating with my support. When confirmed, it should be their bios. They will have to commit individually by January. Best guess is Sierra Scott and Jossie Torres (and of course Quiana Mayo).
The Measure of Belonging: Assessing Supports and Using AI to Strengthen Advocacy and Community for Parents with IDD
Nicole Brisson
Dr. Nicole Brisson is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). She is Founder and Director of Adaptive Parenting Solutions and the SAGE Institute for Adaptive Parenting, and a nationally recognized expert in parenting capacity assessments for parents with disabilities. Dr. Brisson provides consultation, training, and testimony nationwide. As the former Vice President of TASP and recipient of the Carrie Ann Lucas Disability Rights Legal Advocate Award, she envisions a world where every parent with a disability is not only included but celebrated as a vital community member.
Kathleen Brown
Kathleen Brown holds a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and has worked in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 15 years, with experience across medical facilities, private practices, and community organizations. She served as Director of Developmental Services for a leading Vermont mental health provider, overseeing supports for more than 300 individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and co-occurring mental health needs. Kathleen holds chemical dependency certification and conducts adaptive parenting assessments with Adaptive Parenting Solutions, LLC. She is passionate about creating inclusive communities where every family is valued and empowered to thrive.
Dreaming Beyond High School: Supporting Students with Intellectual Disability and Families to Navigate Inclusive Postsecondary Education
Lyndsey Nunes
Lyndsey Nunes, Ph.D., MPH, is the Director of the Westfield Inclusive Postsecondary Education (WIPSE) program at Westfield State University. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked with students with disabilities in public schools, private schools, and inclusive higher education. Her work centers on systems and policy change to expand college access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Recently, she has consulted with state agencies and MAIPSE partnerships to support implementation of the new inclusive higher education law. She earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from UMass Amherst, along with graduate degrees from Simmons University and UNC-Chapel Hill.
Sarah Lamb
Sarah Lamb, M.Ed., is the Program Coordinator for the Westfield Inclusive Postsecondary Education (WIPSE) program at Westfield State University. She holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education and brings experience supporting college students with intellectual disability in academic, social, and campus life settings. In her role, Sarah collaborates with students, families, faculty, and community partners to foster meaningful inclusion for students. She is dedicated to building supportive environments that promote student success, independence, and belonging. Sarah is passionate about advancing inclusive practices in higher education.
DAY 2 BREAKOUT 6: 1:30 PM - 2:40 PM
Lets Be Creative! Best Practices for Supporting Parents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Navigating the Child Welfare System
Kelli Nagel
Kelli Nagel began her attorney career with the Colorado State Public Defender in January 2014. For eleven and a half years Kelli specialized in representing youth who were facing prosecution in adult court and adults charged with homicide. Kelli holds a Juris Doctorate and Master of Political Science from Marquette University. In August 2024, Kelli began a Master of Social Work program. In May 2025, Kelli joined the Colorado Office of Respondent Parent Counsel as the Carrie Ann Lucas Civil Rights Director. In that role, Kelli focuses upon supporting family defense teams in civil rights and disability-based litigation and advocacy.
Self Care - Taking Care of You!
Karyn Harvey
Karyn Harvey has worked as a clinician in the field of intellectual disabilities for over 35 years. She has her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland. She has written three books and she regularly conducts trainings on trauma-informed support for people with IDD, trauma-informed leadership, and trauma-informed behavioral interventions for both state and individual organizations throughout the US and Canada. She has trained numerous trainers throughout the United States and Canada in conducting trauma-informed supports training. In the last several years she has received awards for her clinical service from NADD, START and AAIDD.
KEYNOTES & SPECIAL SESSIONS
Keynote: Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot
Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot
Group Presentation: More Support for Parents
Cathy Haarstad
Cathy has over 35 years of lived experience as the parent of an adult daughter with IDD, and 30 years of experience in supporting providers who wanted to support parents with IDD and were afraid to try. She has also worked extensively with families. Cathy has a Master's degree in special education and has served on the TASP board for several years.
Keynote: Trauma and Recovery: the Right to Heal
Karyn Harvey
Karyn Harvey has worked as a clinician in the field of intellectual disabilities for over 35 years. She has her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland. She has written three books as well as several chapters in various publications and a variety of articles. She regularly conducts trainings on trauma-informed support for people with IDD, trauma-informed leadership, throughout the US and Canada. She has trained numerous trainers throughout the United States and Canada in conducting trauma-informed support training. In the last several years she has received awards for her clinical service from NADD, START and AAIDD.
Parent Panel: Lindsay Brillhart, Quiana Mayo, and Ivanova Smith, Moderated by Lisa Simmons
Lindsay Brillhart
Quiana Mayo
Ivanova Smith
Lisa Simmons (Moderator)
Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor
Join Us in Building Bridges for Parents with IDD
The 2026 TASP Conference brings together professionals, self-advocates, and families dedicated to supporting parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By sponsoring or exhibiting, you'll connect with social workers, legal professionals, policymakers, researchers, direct service providers, and parents from across the country.
Why Partner With Us?
- Connect with professionals, self-advocates, and families focused on supporting parents with IDD
- Share your programs, services, and tools that make a difference
- Build partnerships across healthcare, social work, education, and community organizations
- Demonstrate your commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and equitable parenting support
Sponsorship Opportunities
Successful Parenting Champion
$1,500
Perfect for partners who want to make a leadership statement.
- All Supporter benefits
- Logo featured on welcome slide and lunch slides
- Two complimentary conference registrations
- Dedicated recognition in opening and closing sessions (verbal + slide mention)
Successful Parenting Supporter
$1,000
Designed for larger organizations wanting more visibility.
- All Advocate benefits
- Full-page ad in digital program
- One complimentary conference registration
- Verbal acknowledgment during opening keynote
Successful Parenting Advocate
$750
Ideal for agencies or programs with a statewide footprint.
- All Friend benefits
- Half-page ad in the digital program
- Two social media spotlights
- Logo on conference signage at registration
Successful Parenting Friend
$500
Perfect for small organizations, nonprofits, or local partners.
- Logo displayed on conference website and digital program
- Mention in one social media post and conference email
- Option to include a small item/flyer in attendee bags
Exhibitor Packages
Showcase your organization and connect directly with conference attendees.
Premium Exhibitor — $1,000
- Two complimentary conference registrations
- One 6-ft draped table + 2 chairs
- Full-page ad in the digital program
- Logo featured on the conference webpage
- Recognition slide before a keynote/plenary
- One bag insert included (flyer or small swag item)
- Wi-Fi access
Standard Table — $500
- One 6-ft draped table + 2 chairs
- One complimentary conference registration
- Listing in the digital program & conference website
- Wi-Fi access
Self-Advocate Rate — $250
- Same benefits as Standard Table
- Available for qualifying self-advocate groups
Add-Ons
Enhance your visibility with these options:
- Additional conference registration: $150 each
- Program ads: $150 (quarter-page), $250 (half-page), $500 (full-page)
- Bag insert: $100 per item (included for Premium Exhibitors)
Ready to Get Started?
Questions? Contact us at info@achancetoparent.net
Conference FAQ
Everything you need to know about the 2026 TASP Conference
Find answers to frequently asked questions about registration, accommodations, presentations, and more. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us!
Registration & Fees
When will conference registration open?
Registration will open on October 1, 2025! Take advantage of the early bird rate of $199 for the full conference, but only until December 31, 2025. After that, the rate will increase to $250.
Can I attend the conference for just one day?
We do not offer single-day tickets for this conference. However, you are welcome to attend for as much or as little as you're able to be there with your 2-day registration ticket.
Do you offer discounted rates for students and parents/self-advocates?
Yes! We're pleased to offer a reduced conference rate of $75 (early bird rate) for students as well as parents/self-advocates. After the early bird rate, the reduced rate will be $100.
What if I'm a parent with a disability and cannot afford to attend the conference?
We want you there! We encourage all parents/self-advocates to reach out to their local Developmental Disabilities Councils and/or Centers for Community Living to see if they're able to provide financial assistance to attend the conference.
How do I register for the conference?
Registration information will be available on our website at www.achancetoparent.net beginning December 1, 2025.
What is your refund policy?
Refunds will not be processed after February 1, 2026. Your support for TASP and the conference is appreciated.
Presentations & Speakers
Will there be a call for proposals?
Yes! We are excited to welcome a wide variety of professionals working with parents with IDD, and self-advocates to present at the conference. We anticipate opening the Call for Proposals in August 2025.
When will I know if my presentation proposal was accepted?
Everyone who submits a proposal will be notified via email by October 1, 2025. This email will include presentation dates/times for accepted proposals. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@achancetoparent.net.
I'm a presenter, do I still need to pay the registration fee?
Yes, all presenters must register and pay the full conference registration fee by January 1, 2026. We offer the same discounted rates for student and parent/self-advocate presenters.
Conference Content
What kind of information can I expect to get at the conference?
We're pleased to offer presentations from speakers across the United States and internationally. There will be keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics focused on building community connections and advocacy for parents with IDD. Topics will include direct services/supports, community-based approaches, policy and legal perspectives, and current research in the field.
Who should attend the conference?
The 2026 Conference offers social workers, legal professionals, policy makers, researchers, direct service providers, parents with IDD, family members, and community partners an opportunity to learn about innovative practice, policy, and research. The conference can benefit anyone working with and/or supporting a parent with an intellectual or developmental disability, as well as parents themselves!
Venue & Logistics
Where is the conference being held?
The conference will take place at Arizona State University's Downtown Phoenix campus. Keynote presentations, panels, and meals will be held in the AA England Building (424 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004), and breakout sessions will be across the street in the ASU Social Work building (411 N Central Ave #400, Phoenix, AZ 85004).
What are the conference hours?
The conference will run roughly 9am-4pm on Thursday, March 12, and 9am-2pm on Friday, March 13, 2026, but this is still being finalized.
Where do I pick up my registration materials?
Conference materials will be provided online. You can pick up your printed program and name badge starting at 8am on Thursday, March 12, at the check-in table in the AA England Building.
What meals are included with my registration fee?
The registration fee includes snacks, drinks, and lunch on Thursday and Friday. Breakfast is not provided either day, but most of the recommended hotels include a free breakfast, so please be sure to check that when booking your accommodation.
Will there be a chance to network at the conference and meet other people?
Yes! We recognize the importance of meeting like-minded people doing similar work. There will be opportunities during meals, between sessions, and before and after conference sessions to meet others and network together.
Travel & Accommodations
Is there a special hotel room rate for conference attendees?
We do not have a conference block at any hotel, but we have compiled a list of suggested hotels, all within walking distance of the conference venue:
- Hampton Inn – 77 E. Polk Street
- Sheraton Downtown Phoenix – 340 N. 3rd Street
- Westin Downtown Phoenix – 333 N. Central Ave.
- Hotel San Carlos – 202 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
- SpringHill Suites Phoenix Downtown – 802 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85006
How close is the conference venue to the airport?
The conference venue is approximately 3-4 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, making it a short ride to downtown Phoenix.
How do I get from the airport to the conference venue?
There are several transportation options from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport:
- Valley Metro light rail connects directly from the airport to downtown Phoenix
- Taxi or rideshare services (Uber/Lyft)
- Rental car with downtown parking options
- Hotel shuttle services (check with your specific hotel)
Accessibility & Additional Support
What if I have accessibility needs?
We are committed to ensuring full accessibility for all attendees. Please indicate any accessibility accommodations you require when registering, and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.
Sponsorship & Exhibiting
Do you have sponsorship or vendor opportunities available?
For information about sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please contact us at info@achancetoparent.net.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help! Contact us at info@achancetoparent.net
Visit our website at www.achancetoparent.net
Call for Proposals
Building Bridges: Strengthening Community Connections and Advocacy for Parents with IDD
Important Dates
Submission Period:
September 1 - October 1, 2025
Notification Date:
October 15, 2025
Presenter Registration Deadline:
December 15, 2025
Conference Overview
We invited proposals from researchers, practitioners, advocates, self-advocates, and community partners to participate in the TASP 2026 Conference: Building Bridges: Strengthening Community Connections and Advocacy for Parents with IDD, presented in conjunction with the Arizona State University School of Social Work.
As we advance our understanding of supporting parents with IDD, there is growing recognition that meaningful change happens through strong community connections, effective advocacy, and inclusive practices. This conference will bring together diverse stakeholders to explore innovative approaches, share evidence-based practices, and strengthen the networks that support parents with IDD and their families.
The conference will welcome social workers, legal professionals, healthcare providers, disability advocates, policy makers, researchers, direct service providers, parents with IDD, family members, and community partners from across the United States and internationally.
Conference Format
The 2-day conference will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, parent panels, networking opportunities, and breakout sessions with concurrent presentations, allowing for diverse programming and attendee choice.
Proposal Guidelines
We sought proposals for 75-minute presentations, workshops, or panel discussions that align with our conference theme. In line with the conference theme of "Building Bridges," presentations will focus on one or more of the following:
Community Integration and Inclusion
Strategies that help parents with IDD build strong connections and be active, included members of their communities.
Advocacy and Rights
Approaches that amplify the voices of parents with IDD, support self-advocacy, and strengthen efforts to protect and advance rights.
Support Networks
Ways to create and maintain meaningful formal and informal systems of support that surround and sustain families.
Policy and Practice Innovation
Evidence-based strategies, new approaches, and research that bridge gaps between policy and practice to improve services for parents with IDD.
Intersectional Perspectives
Perspectives that explore the diverse experiences of parents with IDD across race, culture, gender, and other community contexts.
Collaboration and Partnership
Models, programs, or research that show how cross-sector, interdisciplinary, and community partnerships can work together with parents and self-advocates as equal partners.
Research
Studies that highlight promising practices, evaluate outcomes, and build knowledge about supporting parents with IDD in inclusive and equitable ways.
Track Options
Proposals were submitted to one of the following tracks:
- Professional/Provider Track: Primarily designed for service providers, researchers, and professionals
- Parent/Self-Advocate Track: Primarily designed for parents with IDD and disability advocates
- Dual Track: Content applicable to both professional and parent/self-advocate audiences
Presentation Formats
Submission Requirements
Presentation Information
- Presentation Title: Clear, engaging title (maximum 15 words)
- Track Selection: Professional/Provider, Parent/Self-Advocate, or Dual Track
- Presentation Format: Workshop, Panel Discussion, Research Presentation, or Case Study
- Abstract: Brief overview of your presentation content and what attendees can expect to learn (up to 100 words)
- Presentation Description: Comprehensive description of your presentation content, methodology, and relevance to conference theme (up to 200 words)
- Learning Objectives: Three specific, measurable learning objectives describing what participants will gain from your session
- Adherence to Theme: Which of the proposal guidelines it best adheres to (you may choose more than one)
- Presentation Approach: Describe your presentation style and methods
- Incorporation of Lived Experience: Detail how your material includes input from people with lived expertise
- Accessibility Needs: Any accessibility needs you have
Presenter Information
Required for lead presenter and additional presenters (up to 3 total):
- Full name and professional credentials (if any)
- Professional title and organizational affiliation
- Biography (maximum 100 words) highlighting relevant experience and expertise
- Contact information (phone, email, mailing address)
Selection Criteria
Proposals were evaluated based on:
- Relevance to Theme: Clear connection to building community connections and advocacy for parents with IDD
- Innovation and Impact: Novel approaches, promising practices, or significant outcomes
- Presentation Quality: Clear objectives, appropriate methodology, and engaging format
- Presenter Expertise: Relevant experience and qualifications
- Audience Benefit: Practical value and applicability for conference attendees
- Diversity and Inclusion: Representation of diverse perspectives and experiences
Important Information for Presenters
Registration Requirement
All accepted presenters must register and pay the full conference registration fee by January 15, 2026. Registration information will be provided upon acceptance notification. Failure to register by the deadline may result in removal from the program.
Conference Materials
All conference materials (PDF of PowerPoint presentation and any handouts) must be submitted by February 1, 2026. Detailed submission instructions will be provided to accepted presenters.
Technology and Materials
Standard audiovisual equipment will be provided. Presenters are responsible for bringing their own laptops and any specialized materials. Detailed technical specifications will be provided to accepted presenters.
Accessibility and Accommodations
We are committed to ensuring full accessibility for all presenters and attendees. Please indicate any accessibility accommodations you require for your presentation in your submission.
Join Us at the Conference
While proposals are closed, registration for the conference is open. We invite you to attend and experience this groundbreaking event.
Register for Conference Plain Language CFP (PDF)