The Arc Community Advocates Annual Inclusion Conference Education & Transition

Thursday, April 24, 2014 8:30am-4:30pm Fetzer Center, WMU

Keynote Speakers: Henry Frost and Lauri Swann Hunt
Henry Frost is a young advocate with autism and Florida native who launched a successful, nationally recognized campaign to gain access to the public school in his own neighborhood after local education officials barred his entrance. The campaign, I Stand With Henry, collected thousands of petition signatures and supporters across multiple social media platforms expressing support for Henrys right to an equal education. Henry won the battle for his right to attend the public school close to his home and is currently enrolled in advanced honors classes.At the age of 13 Henry presented at the National Center for Inclusive Educations 2013 Summer Institute in Hanover, New Hampshire. Henry was the recipient of the 2013 Award for Service to the Self Advocacy Movement. Henrys mother, Lauri Swann Hunt is the founder of Ollibean, a leading online community and resource for parents of and individuals with disabilities. Always committed to social justice and humanitarian issues, Lauris experience as a parent advocate began when her son Henry was born. A firm believer in high expectations and equal access for all of her children, Lauri was shocked at the resistance her family encountered when attempting to give her son the very same opportunities his sisters received without question. Ollibeans mission is to provide the resources to empower parents of children with disabilities with the knowledge they need to successfully advocate for their child at an early age, nurture their childs self-advocacy skills and educate them about the disability community through the work of people with disabilities. Registration is now available online at communityadvocates.org or by calling Ashlee at 269.342.9801 *Scholarships available upon request *CEU credits available (pending approval)
Workshop Topics Include: Inclusive childcare resources Modified curriculum Behavioral supports Developing peer friendships Navigating special education Certificate of completion Combining medical and school resources Post-secondary education options Person centered plan and mapping Legal resources And many more!

Annual Film Festival:

Each year, The Arc Community Advocates hosts a Film Festival in conjunction with the Inclusion Conference. Please stay tuned for more details about the Film Festival location, date and time!