Enabling Technology Summit

Improving Access to Oral Health Care for through Technology-Driven Solutions - Kelli Bingham - Executive Director, Harmony Health Foundation; Dr. Sean Boynes, DMD, MS - Board of Directors, Harmony Health Foundation; Dr. Tina Saw, DDS - General Dentist and Entrepreneur

• Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) encounter significant barriers to preventive dental services, leading to a higher prevalence of untreated dental issues and adverse oral health outcomes. This presentation will focus on a new initiative designed to pinpoint and measure the primary obstacles to accessing oral health care and to establish a pilot program with scalable solutions, incorporating innovative technologies to enhance access to dental care and preventive measures. Panelists will discuss the initiative and its current and future impact and implications for patients, providers, and policy. 

Tennessee State Parks Accessibility Initiative: An Overview of Access 2030 - Don Tate, Facilities Construction Director and Park Accessibility Access 2030 Team Lead for Tennessee State Parks 

• The Tennessee State Parks Accessibility Initiative, titled "Access 2030," is a strategic plan aimed at enhancing accessibility and visitor experience across State Parks, with a focus on interpretation, education, inclusivity, and physical accessibility. This initiative includes improvements in educational programs, interpretive materials, and facility upgrades to ensure everyone can fully enjoy our state parks. The presentation will outline the ongoing efforts and highlight a few of our current focus areas that are improving the accessible environment for all visitors.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Virtual Tech Training for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Supporters - Dr. Mark Friedman, Adjunct Associate Professor, City University of New York, Dr. Ruthie-Marie Beckwith, Adjunct Professor of Disability, City University of New York; David Taylor, Board of Directors, TASH; Pisanach Chinratanalab, Self-Advocate with People First, Tennessee General Assembly Volunteer; Sara Phillips, Treasurer, Dickson Chapter People First, Disability Services Division Council and Technology Board

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

Innovating Job Interview Prep: Leveraging VR and AI for Successful Interview Experiences - Kyle Baughman, Director of Enabling Technology, MillarRich

• Interviewing for a job can be a daunting experience for many, but using Virtual Reality and AI allows providers to curate experiences that account for the interests and needs of the client.  In this session we will look at how Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligense platforms and programs, such as Virtual Speech and ChatGPT, can provide the framework for developing comprehensive plans for interview preparation. 

Keynote Session - Dignity of Risk and Duty of Care: Values, Rights, and Power in the Lives of People with Intellectual and Other Disabilities - Jason Buckles, PhD, LPCC, Owner of Talkabout Inc.

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