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Conference Schedule of Events

Day 1 - Monday, March 11, 2024
Check-in and Registration
Breakfast​
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: General Session

  • Welcome, Conference Overview, Announcements

  • Remarks: FranSha Anderson, SILC Congress Chair

  • Past, Present and Future – The Purpose of NASILC

    • Mel Leviton, Sidna Trimmell, Brooke Wilson

      • Interactive session

10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.: Break​

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: General Session continued

  • Past, Present and Future – The Purpose of NASILC

    • Mel Leviton, Sidna Trimmell, Brooke Wilson

      • Interactive session

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch

1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.: General Session

  • Effective Communication

    • Dr Phillip Lewis

​2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.: General Session

  • IL Panel – Combined Efforts

    • NASILC, NCIL & APRIL

2:45 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.: Break​

3:05 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Breakouts

  • Breakout #1 – SILC 101

This session will cover the fundamentals of the Rehabilitation Act, specifically regarding the SILC, CILs, the DSE, and the SPIL. We will delve into the roles and responsibilities of each entity and clarify the position of the SILC in the IL Network. Additionally, we will provide you with resources and easy-to-understand explanations of what the SILC is accountable for in your state and with your State Plan for Independent Living.

  • Breakout #2 - Getting Over Ourselves Through Peer Support: Connecting and Moving Forward

    • Mel Leviton

Are you ready to provide AND accept peer support? Do you have invisible disabilities and wish for acknowledgement in the disability community? Do you have visible disabilities and want people to know you’re more than your disability? Are you not disabled and afraid to admit it in our community? We’ve all learned various ways of coping with our disabilities and those of loved ones in an often unwelcoming world. Surprise! Our coping may not be healthy or helpful within the disability community. Set your expectations and ego aside. This interactive workshop will ask you to step up for yourself AND with each moving forward as a critical part of our community.​

Day 2 - Tuesday, March 12, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: Breakfast​
9:00 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.: General Session

  • Announcements and Housekeeping

9:10 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.: Regional Breakouts​

  • Region Reps and alternate decision (odd regions and any vacancies)

  • Sharing successes

9:50 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: Region Sharing

  • regional group share one or two significant accomplishments or initiatives undertaken in the past year to share with the general membership

10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.: Break​

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: General Session

  • NASILC General Update

    • Updates

    • Elections

      • Vice Chair

      • Secretary

      • Regional Rep Chair

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch​

1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: General Session

  • ACL/OILP – What’s Up in IL

    • Ed Ahern​

2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.: Break​

2:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: General Session and Roundtables

  • Peer Support - Is it the More You Know or Who You Know?

Day 3 - Wednesday, March 13, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: Breakfast​
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.: General Session

  • ILRU - SILC & Statewide Network Relationships

Collaboration is key. And when it comes to the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), the Centers for Independent Living (CILs), and the Designated State Entity (DSE), it's not only a good practice; it's the law! However, we understand that building and maintaining collaborative relationships can be challenging. That's why this session is here to provide practical examples of how you can improve your relationships and work together more effectively. From sharing real-world experiences to offering helpful tips, this session will help you build strong and productive collaborative relationships in your state. So whether you're feeling stuck or want to improve, join us and discover how SILCs, CILs, and DSEs can work together towards a better future.​

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: Break​​

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: General Session

  • ILRU - SILC Outreach to Consumers—How SILCs reach consumers for SPIL evaluation and consumer satisfaction evaluation.

Do you want to gather feedback and input directly from consumers in a more efficient and effective manner? Look no further than this training, where you will learn the latest methods and processes that SILCs are using to collect and use information on the needs of individuals with disabilities. You will gain insights into how SILCs can interact with consumers to evaluate the effectiveness of the State Plan for Independent Living and how to collect and receive consumer satisfaction data. This training will equip you with the tools you need to gather feedback and input directly from consumers, share it with CILs, analyze it, and use it to improve IL programs, services, and advocacy.​​

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch

1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.: Breakout Sessions

  • Breakout #1 - SILC's Role in a Disaster

    • Beth Meyer and Ed Ahern

Join us for dynamic discussion as we touch on a range of issues at the intersection of Independent Living Network  before, during and after disasters.

  • We will have a brief review of the recently released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Understand how to connect with emergency management partners in a disaster and ways to collaborate

  • Get tips and tricks to taking first steps to address disaster in your state (if you haven’t already done so)

  • Discuss developing SPIL goals that align with disaster/emergency management goals

  • Learn more about the free COVID test distribution partnership between ACL and Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) that allows CILs and SILCs to share free tests throughout the community.

  • Breakout #2 - Bridging the Divide: Combating Bullying within the Disability Community

    • ​Carrie England

Bullying is a pervasive issue that affects individuals from all walks of life, but it can be especially challenging for people with disabilities. This presentation will explore the complex dynamics of bullying, particularly in the context of disability, and equip attendees with knowledge and tools to tackle this issue effectively.

2:45 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.: Break

3:05 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: General Session

  • Looking to the Future

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