Each year, the TASH Conference strengthens the disability field by connecting attendees to innovative information and resources, facilitating connections between stakeholders within the disability movement, and helping attendees reignite their passion for an inclusive world. This year’s conference theme, “Gateway to Equity,” explores inclusive communities, schools, and workplaces that support people with disabilities, including those with complex support needs, in living a fair, just, and balanced life. Return to TASH website.
This session will provide participants with information about the Wellspring Guild, a not-for-profit organization, that envisions a future where all people are presumed competent and seen as valued contributing citizens exercising their right to communicate. Communication is essential to citizenship and community participation. The mission of Wellspring Guild is to train and certify practitioners employing a uniformed standard of practice to ensure for all a meaningful voice that is personal, authentic, and effective. After this session participants will be able to; a) explain presumption of competence and that everyone has the desire and ability to express themselves and direct their own lives. b) define evidence based practice in relationship to AAC, movement differences, inclusive schools, and inclusive communities. c) summarize the importance of a total communication approach and that all people are entitled to a robust communication system which allows for full effective expression, and self-advocacy. d) define Wellspring Guild's professional standards and conduct which include, use of informed consent, promotion of respectful collaboration with professionals of other disciplines and deliverance of culturally and age appropriate supports and services.
