RI’S ABLE TO SAVE!Lisa Churchville, Dana Fatuda, Kevin Nerney, Kimberly Shockley & Keith WilcoxPut your money in the bank and don’t worry about losing your benefits!

“ABLE” stands for “Achieving a Better Life Experience”.

This type of account lets you and your family deposit and save money,

so you can use it for all sorts of disability related expenses.

With an Able account, you’re safe to save! Come to this session to find out more.

IS A SHARED LIVING ARRANGEMENT RIGHT FOR YOU?Joanne Malise, Lynn Obrebski, Brian Salvagna

If you’re looking for a change from your current residential services,

Why Not come to this session and find out about Shared Living Arrangements?!?

Learn what SLAs are all about, and how they compare to other residential options.

Several people who live in SLAs will talk about moving from a group home

to where they are now, and why they NEVER want to go back.

BEST FOOT FORWARDAdam Carreira, Karen Flynn, Peter Seabra & Marge Shortway Pavao

Members of the Cranston Voices will share what they know about preparing to get a job.

This is a fun and interactive presentation that will leave you laughing as you learn.

Watch a skit, learn some tips for job seekers, and play Getting Ready to Work Bingo.Hygiene ... what to wear ... interview skills ... job clubs ... resume tools and more!

If you’re thinking about getting a job, start things off right! Come to this session,

& get the scoop on how to put your best foot forward!

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX:Don’t Put Your Plans on Hold When Your Staff Are Done for the Day!Luke Brissette, Deanne Gagne, Scott Hopkins, Dezhanette Johnson & You!

If you rely on paid support staff for day to day activities, what happens when they’re

not there? What will you do if their car breaks down, they call-in sick, or go on vacation?

Don’t get stuck thinking INSIDE the Box!

Join us to listen, learn and share ideas. We’ll talk about how we can do the things

that matter most to us, even if the staffing schedule doesn’t match our own.

THE AME THING PROJECT

Rhode Island Musician Mark Cutler created the Same Thing Project

to connect people who have a passion for songwriting.

It’s not about having a disability.

It’s about building an inclusive community of musicians!

Join Mark and friends in this session to find out more and to

make some beautiful music together!

MY LIFE! MY INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN!Join RI’s 2018 Friend of Self-Advocacy, Susan Donovan, for this presentation

about the importance of Self-Advocacy “at the IEP table and beyond”.

Panelists Tracy Allard, Kelly Donovan, Bloom Slavin & Andrew Whalenwill talk about their experiences with the IEP from a student perspective.

“What didn’t work?” “How I found my voice.” “My hopes/dreams & accomplishments.”

(Sue also mentioned something about FREE CANDY, but you didn’t hear that from us! ;)Experience the Power of Peer to Peer Connections!

WHY NOT BE A "POSSIBILITARIAN"?!?Maya Colantuano, Mary Madden & Kevin McHale

Anything is possible when you’re a Possibilitarian! A positive attitude is the key,

and thinking of new ways to do things is what it's all about!!

We’ll create something wonderful using music, crafts, & imagination.

Who even knows what it might be?!?

Join us as we discover together!

The Kingston Room is Located on the Lower LevelUse the elevators or stairs near the Hotel Lobby (where Overnight Guest Check-In) to get there.

Ask one of our Hallway Helpers if you help finding it, and they’ll show you the way.

Please don’t let the location disourage you from attending the amazing sessions in this room!Both Possibilitarians at 11:00am, and Kindness Connections at 1:45pm & 3:00pm will be

filled with Music, Creativity, Energy, Laughter and Fun! You won’t be disappointed!

GETTING READY FOR YOUR ANNUAL MEETING, MY PERSONAL PROFILESteve Porcelli & Tanja Blicker-Ucran

Information and Ideas about YOUR Annual Planning MeetingHow can you prepare to meet?

What’s the “Personal Profile” you may have heard about?

REMEMBER: It’s YOUR Planning Meeting!

Ask your plan writer to schedule it at a time and place that works for YOU,

and invite the people who YOU want to have there to attend!

WHY NOT WORK?Tracey Cunningham, Kim Einloth, Vickie Ferrara, Kiernan O'Donnell & Tina Spears

No matter where you are on your career path, this session is for you!Join this lively discussion to learn from people who are already working.

How did they find their current job? What kind of obstacles did they face? How did they

get past them? Learn about the services that are available to help “get to work”, too!

** Note: Benefits Counselors will also be available during the conference day for confidential/1:1 conversations about how

work may affect your benefits. Don’t let fear about losing your SSI or Medicaid stop you from following your Career Path!

FROM "WHAT IF" TO "WHY NOT" - OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

Back by Popular Demand!!

Join members of the Our Voices Count Self-Advocacy Group

for a celebration of accomplishments, and an exploration of possibilities!

Enjoy music, theater, and fun during this interactive and inclusive presentation.

Be Inspired! Be Encouraged! Be Energized!And BELIEVE in the Amazing Person that you are!!

ALL HUMANS ARE CREATED EQUAL

Natalie Atkinson & Dawn Burke

A right is a rule that makes people safe or equal.

As human beings, we all have the same rights. This presentation will talk about how

important it is to know our rights and remembering that we all have them.

Natalie & Dawn will also help you understand the Statement of Participants Rights

for people who receive services from the RI DD system in a way that’s interactive & fun.

It’s important to know your rights so you can speak up if some tries to take them away!

The Barrington Room is Located on the Lower LevelUse the elevators or stairs near the Hotel Lobby (where Overnight Guest Check-In) to get there.

Ask one of our Hallway Helpers if you help finding it, and they’ll show you the way.

Please don’t let the location disourage you from attending the amazing sessions in this room!

Both Possibilitarians at 11:00am, and Kindness Connections at 1:45pm & 3:00pm will be

filled with Music, Creativity, Energy, Laughter and Fun! You won’t be disappointed!

The Kingston Room is Located on the Lower LevelUse the elevators or stairs near the Hotel Lobby (where Overnight Guest Check-In) to get there.

Ask one of our Hallway Helpers if you help finding it, and they’ll show you the way.

Please don’t let the location disourage you from attending the amazing sessions in this room!

Both Possibilitarians at 11:00am, and Kindness Connections at 1:45pm & 3:00pm will be

filled with Music, Creativity, Energy, Laughter and Fun! You won’t be disappointed!

WHY NOT MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONSSusan Birch, Kate Sherlock & Savannah West

How do you make decisions in life? Some choices are easier than others, but what about

the “the big stuff”? Where to live? Whether or not to get a job? What to do if you’re sick?

“Supported Decision Making” may be just what you need!

Join us to learn about this alternative to having a guardian.We’ll explain what SDM is all about in a way that’s simple, fun and easy to understand.

In addition, we’ll let you know about the work we’ve been doing to make SDMan option for Rhode Islander who want to use it, and what you can do to help.

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: WHAT'S COMES NEXT?Join Anne LeClerc from the RI Division of Developmental Disabilities for a converation about the

differences between the supports you received in high school and the services that are

available for adults who have DD label after they graduate.

Joining Anne to share their experience & expertise are recent High School graduates:

Kimberly Boise, Geromeo Kue and Nicholas NastratiThis is their first time presenting as members of the Leadership Series Class of 2019, so

THANK YOU for showing Kim, Geromeo & Nick your support. They will be AWESOME!!

WHY NOT BE KIND?!? "DON'T BREAK THE CHAIN" John Bryan, George Buxton, Bill Corbett, Kathy Gudmundson & Ken Renaud

Too many acts of kindness go unnoticed, so we decided to do something about it!

Join us to share all the different ways that you’ve treated others with kindness.

We’ll listen to music & have fun as we create “Rhode Island’s Biggest Paper Chain ... Ever!”

Every good deed adds a link.

LET’S SHOW THE WORLD HOW TO CONNECT THROUGH KINDNESS!

Note: There is NO PRESENTATION in the Rotunda during this time.

Join us there at 4 pm for Power Hour Plus, featuring Blind Faith!!

WHY NOT VOTE!Kate Bowden, Dawn Burke & Jeff Christie

Your Vote Means You Have POWER ... But only if you use it!

This wll be an interactive presentation on voting, voting rights and preparing to vote.

You will also learn how to ask for accomodations and make a ballot.

Note: This is a non-political event. We will show you HOW to vote.We will NEVER tell you WHO to vote for!

THE CONSENT DECREE AND ME

Kim Einloth, Kie O’Donnell, Tina Spears & Andrew Whalen

Learn about Rhode Island’s pledge to transform the DD Service System

and the progress that’s been made since the 2014 Consent Decree.

Do you have questions about Rhode Island's Employment First Policy, informed choice,

or what to do if you prefer you;ve decided you don’t want to work?

Join us to learn about Supported Employment, Integrated Day Services

and how the Consent Decree may affect you.

KAREN KRAFTS & MEGHAN'S CREATIONS

Join Karen Bachellor & Meghan O’Leary as they demonstrate

how to knit on knitting looms and with knitting needles.

They will also have a display of knitted items, and the tool/materials they use.

For a special conference theme project, Karen and Meghan will demonstrate

how to make "WHY NOT" beaded bracelets.

Sounds like fun - Why Not be there?!?

L

The Barrington Room is Located on the Lower LevelUse the elevators or stairs near the Hotel Lobby (where Overnight Guest Check-In) to get there.

Ask one of our Hallway Helpers if you help finding it, and they’ll show you the way.

Please don’t let the location disourage you from attending the amazing sessions in this room!

Both Possibilitarians at 11:00am, and Kindness Connections at 1:45pm & 3:00pm will be

filled with Music, Creativity, Energy, Laughter and Fun! You won’t be disappointed!

The Kingston Room is Located on the Lower LevelUse the elevators or stairs near the Hotel Lobby (where Overnight Guest Check-In) to get there.

Ask one of our Hallway Helpers if you help finding it, and they’ll show you the way.

Please don’t let the location disourage you from attending the amazing sessions in this room!

Both Possibilitarians at 11:00am, and Kindness Connections at 1:45pm & 3:00pm will be

filled with Music, Creativity, Energy, Laughter and Fun! You won’t be disappointed!

DISABILITY CULTURE & JUSTICE

Tracey Allard, Kelly Donovan & Mark Heffner

This presentation is about removing the stigma that society places

on people who have a developmental disability and changing attitudes.

We will also talk about some of the injustices that people who have disability face,

and how we can help advocate for change, and help others do so, too.

Don’t be ashamed or embarred because you have a disability.

Be PROUD of who you are! There’s nothing wrong with you.

WHY NOT VOLUNTEER?Sara Holt, Claudia Lowe, Katie Lowe & Bob Macaux

Join us to share your experiences doing volunteer work and

find out more about the rewards of volunteerism!

Do you ever volunteer in your community? Do you want to learn more about

how to get started? We will give you all the basics that you need to know

by answering: “What”, “When” and ”Who”

WHY NOT BE KIND?!? "DON'T BREAK THE CHAIN" John Bryan, George Buxton, Bill Corbett, Kathy Gudmundson & Ken Renaud

Too many acts of kindness go unnoticed, so we decided to do something about it!

Join us to share all the different ways that you’ve treated others with kindness.

We’ll listen to music & have fun as we create “Rhode Island’s Biggest Paper Chain ... Ever!”

Every good deed adds a link.

LET’S SHOW THE WORLD HOW TO CONNECT THROUGH KINDNESS!