Tuesday, October 17, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Registration, Networking and Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
General Session 1, Welcome and Keynote
Keynote: Building Curiosity, Courage, and Mindfulness
Learning to find healthy connections can have a direct impact on your self-esteem and increase positive and meaningful experiences. All people need support to stretch their curiosity, be more courageous and think more positively about their future. Challenge yourself in this interactive keynote and learn valuable ways to enhance your skills and build your capacity to grow as advocates.
Alex Olsen will share his self-advocacy journey that includes bright moments of curiosity, courage, and mindfulness. Alex has a passion for life and supportive people in his life. He will inspire you to think very closely about what it truly means to be Self-Determined and to develop strong self-advocacy skills.
Brian Kenney has a master’s degree in education from UW Stevens Point and owns his own team building business called Team Extreme LLC, where he specializes in working with businesses to assist them in improving their leadership and develop team building skills. He is
very focused on improving human connections. Brian has been facilitating team building workshops for 25 plus years.
Alex Olsen is a 2012 graduate of Edgerton Senior High School. He is an adult with an identified intellectual disability and autism as well as a speech and language impairment. Alex received special education services throughout his education and was able to grow in his skills and through his transition program was able to get a job at Culver’s in Newville, WI. He has been working there since April of 2013. Alex is a valued and respected member of the Culver’s family. He rarely, if ever, misses a day of work, is extremely meticulous about his job responsibilities, and sees himself as a productive member of the community. When Alex is not working, he is exercising!
Be Curious, not jodgemental.
– Walt Wittman
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Roaming Reporters
Tag along with our Roaming Reporters as they talk to attendees at the 2023 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference. This year’s theme is Be Curious: Explore the Possibilities.
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Tuesday Sessions 1 – 8
hide
Presenters: Wendy Maher, Pam Malin, Transition Students
Boundaries are an important part of our relationships. At work we have different boundaries than at home and in the community. How do you make friends at work? Can you date someone you work with? How do we meet people in the community? In this session we will use activities and role-play to practice setting strong boundaries and identify tools to help stay safe.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 82977126315
Session 1: Building Community Connections to Create a Positive Future
Presenters: Brian Kenney and Alex Olsen
Room: Africa 10
Alex’s journey includes bright moments of curiosity, courage, and mindfulness. Hear
how his community connections helped him build independence, get a job, and
shape the life he wants.
Session 2: Self-Determination for Teens and Young Adults
Presenters: Daniela C. Freitas and Erika Portillo
Room: Africa 20
Goals can help young people have a meaningful life. Join us to try out tools to
teach responsibility, self-determination, and gain confidence to make decisions
about your life.
Session 3: What’s Working in your Self-Directed Life? Real-Life Stories
Presenters: Katie Erickson, Delores Sallis, and Megan Walch
Room: Africa 30
Explore resources that can help you better self-direct your life. Understand the role
of the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and hear from people who are
experiencing long-term care programs.
Session 4: Self-Directing within a Managed Care Organization (MCO)
Presenters: Carlen Dupler, Stephanie Lally, and Shannon McKinley
Room: Africa 40
Discover the possibilities of self-direction in your own care plan. MCO staff and
self-advocates will share examples of how they worked together to self-direct their
care plan.
Session 5: Self-Advocates Explore New Employment Possibilities
Presenters: Allison Caudill, Marquis Garner, and Edward Kastern
Room: Africa 50
Research is a new area of employment available to people with disabilities. Hear from two self-advocates on the research project they worked on around the effects of COVID-19 on people with disabilities.
Session 6: Finding and Training Caregivers
Presenters: Casey Beilke, Kevin Coughlin, and IRIS Participant
Room: Africa 60
Be curious and join this interactive session to learn how you can get your caregiver
certified as Certified Direct Care Professionals (CDCP) for free, qualify them for
bonuses and hire new caregivers through WisCaregiver Connections. The
Department of Health Services (DHS), in partnership with University of Wisconsin GreenBay has launched the CDCP program and WisCaregiver Connections. Hear the early success of the program and learn how you can be part of this exciting initiative.
Session 7: The LGBTQ+ Perspective on Healthcare and Relationships Beyond High School
Presenters: Christie Carter, James H., Brook S., and Blue T.
Room: Africa 70
Learn what it is like to be an LGBTQ+ adult from a panel of people who live it. You will
learn tips on how to start conversations about someone’s identity, how to advocate
for your needs to healthcare professionals and build meaningful relationships beyond
high school. The session will include a panel discussion with Q&A.
Session 8: Including Technology in Your Plan
Presenters: Stacy Ellingen, Chris Patterson, Julie Strenn, and Stacey Wargowsky
Room: Africa 80
Think technology first! Interested in how technology can help you meet your goals?
Technology can be used to increase independence at work, home, and in the
community. This session will discuss safeguards around technology and share funding
strategies to get the technology paid for on your service plan. A self-advocate will
also share their story on how technology has benefited their life in numerous ways.
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Self-Advocate Sessions 9 – 16
hide
Presenters: Hunter Markel, Tim Markle, and Lauren Tierney
Taking charge of your health is an important step toward becoming an adult. When you are healthy, you can go to work and school. We’ll hear the story of how a team of people can help youth with I/DD learn about how to be healthy and take charge of their healthcare. You’ll learn about when and how to get started taking charge of your healthcare.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 86081347681
Session 9: Managing Feelings: Knowing Your Body and Mind
New Employment
Room: Africa 10
Erin will share useful information on how she takes care of her emotional health and
how you can use similar tools to help yourself. Let’s talk about how to get our body
and mind to work together. This session empowers people to take charge of their
actions and be happy with the choices they made.
Session 10: YouTube Self Determination Channel
Room: Africa 20
Do you see life as a journey? Are you looking for a path that empowers you? We are a group of self-advocates with developmental or intellectual disabilities who believe self-determination is essential to living our best life–the life we all deserve. This channel is dedicated to sharing our voices about making choices and speaking up for ourselves. We celebrate successes and show that, through perseverance, anything is possible. Here you can connect with other self-advocates and people who support us. We hope as you watch these videos, you’ll want to join us in our journey by subscribing! Self-determination: “You MAKE CHOICES about your life.” Self-advocate: “You SPEAK UP for yourself.”
Visit the Self Determination Channel on YouTube
Session 11: Disability and Tribal Nations: The Power of Storytelling
Presenter: Kody Funmaker
Room: Africa 30
Kody will share his experiences growing up as a person with disabilities and a
Ho-Chunk tribal member. He will share what his native heritage has taught him
about feeling accepted. Kody is an Edgewood College student and he’s
participated in Project Search at the Kalahari Hotel.
Session 12: Follow Your Passions
Presenter: Andrew Patterson (DJ Buffet)
Room: Africa 40
Andrew is a highly driven person. He finds his passion and follows it. He became a
DJ from his love of music. It all started when he turned the local YMCA Adaptive
Recreation dances which consisted of playing music from a Bluetooth speaker to
more of a dance club party atmosphere. Today DJ Buffet appears at various
non-profit events around the state.
Session 13: Be Curious about Getting Involved in Advocacy
Presenter: Sydney Badeau
Room: Africa 50
Sydney will share how she got involved in advocacy and how advocacy has
helped her grow her career. She’ll share tips to help others get started in their
advocacy work.
Session 14: Rosie’s Journey and How Self-Direction Helps Her Survive
Presenter: Rosie Bartel
Room: Africa 60
Rosie’s advocacy has benefited people of all ages and abilities. Throughout her
journey, Rosie has used the principles of self-determination and self-direction to
share her story, advocate for herself and others, and teach others how to be their
own best advocate.
Session 15: Be Your Own Best Advocate
Presenter: Matt Purfuerst
Room: Africa 70
Learn how Matt used his strengths to overcome obstacles and be better prepared
to advocate for himself. He will help you learn how to better prepare, plan, and
practice to be your own best advocate. Try mindful meditation techniques to boost
your self-confidence.
Session 16: Lexi is Creating Change!
Presenter: Lexi Galarowicz
Room: Africa 80
Lexi will share what it’s like to be a Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete and staff
person. She will share the experience and training she has received to help her be
a strong advocate. Learn how your voice matters and how you can make change
in your life.
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Roaming Reporters
Tag along with our Roaming Reporters as they talk to attendees at the 2023 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference. This year’s theme is Be Curious: Explore the Possibilities.
2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Curiosity Lab and Interactive Exhibits! How Curious Are You?
Join us for this hands-on session! There will be a variety of interactive game and puzzles to help you increase your curiosity and enhance your creative side. Build more confidence, be courageous, and think more positively.
Hosted by The Holmen Project Search Students
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Break and Hotel Check-In
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Dinner and Diehard Awards
Diehard Awards are presented to people who have made a significant contribution to advocacy work here in Wisconsin. A diehard is someone with a commitment to self-determination who goes above and beyond what’s expected to help others along the way.
Ramsey Lee
Emily Savage
Lisa Schneider
Lisa Sobczyk
Jenny Felty
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Roaming Reporters
Tag along with our Roaming Reporters as they talk to attendees at the 2023 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference. This year’s theme is Be Curious: Explore the Possibilities.
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Dance Celebration with People First Wisconsin and DJ Buffet!
Meet DJ Buffet! Andrew Patterson, also know as DJ Buffet is 28 yrs old with Down Syndrome. Andrew is highly driven and does not let anything slow him down. Andrew has a love of music, sports and spending time with his girlfriend. Andrew enjoys DJing for events, working at this two jobs, walking his two dogs and spending time with his friends.
A fun night of music, dancing, and friendship…and maybe a few prizes!