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.
The self directed supported employment model fosters a sense of self-worth, opens opportunities for personal growth and leads to greater independence for individuals with disabilities. Lessons learned and outcomes from Artist FirstŸ??s innovative supported employment program Lifeworks can be replicated beyond the art world, fostering full participation and inclusion. Lifeworks is a guided self-employment program. This program gives professionally minded artists with disabilities the chance to create art as a career. Artists First staff facilitates financial independence for the participants by vigorously seeking out opportunities locally, regionally, and nationally to display, market and sell Lifeworks participants' artwork. Lifeworks' staff collaboratively identifies employment goals and develops a realistic action plan with participants. Artists with disabilities are empowered in developing their own road map to meaningful employment opportunities through creative self-expression. Through career coaching, participants further employment skills such as communication and self-advocacy. . By the end of the session, participants will be able to compare and contrast different employment models for individuals with disabilities. By the end of the session, participants will be able to identify and implement inclusive employment actions. By the end of the session participants will be able to understand the connection between creative self-expression and personal growth.
