Sexuality remains “off topic” in most contexts . . . but not here! In this workshop, sexuality takes center stage as Lead Sexuality Educator Brian Melanson facilitates an honest, open, and focused discussion of this central aspect of the human experience. Drawing upon more than 10 years providing sexuality education to learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Brian offers his perspective while encouraging each of you to bring your own to this complex and vital topic. In a spirit of co-learning and mutual respect, this session hopes to provide an energetic and supportive space to learn from one another as we journey towards a better future for ourselves and those we support.

Brian Melanson has been working with students with I/DD as a sexuality educator for more than 10 years. He has co-written the Whole Selves curriculum. He has facilitated programs for students of all ages on a variety of sexuality topics, including boundaries, relationships, consent, puberty, sexual health, and masculinity. Brian is a LCSW and holds an M.Ed in sexuality education and an MSW from Widener University.

Autism is a diagnosis marked by significant deficits in communication, social skills, language as well as narrow fields of interest. These deficits make it difficult for those diagnosed to navigate in society when those around you may not see the diagnosis without outward physical presentations. Now imagine a landscape where you are marginalized further because of your racial identity. We will discuss implications of systemic racism and its impact on this population.

Jacqueline Williams-Hines is an author, autism specialist, former autism education radio show host, consultant and Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst. Her journey began with a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Autism) in 2001. With little guidance she embarked on a path to educate herself about the diagnosis, as well as to educate her community about the early presentations to combat diagnostic disparities. This voyage would lead her to pursue a BA in Human Services, a Eunice Shriver/UMass Medical LEND Fellowship studying diagnostic disparities for African Americans, a Master of Education as an Autism Specialist, certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and currently pursuits of becoming a RUBI Certified Parent Therapist. The published author of four children’s books as well as a social story comic book co-authored with her son, Joshua, Williams-Hines continues to pursue avenues of supporting families on the autism spectrum and educating on challenges presented by this diagnosis. She is the proud mother of three sons, five grandchildren and post-Covid fledgling gardener. Her son, Joshua, is not only the protagonist of her literary efforts, but also a budding YouTube and TikTok entertainer and entrepreneur!

Meet Barbara and hear how she has used Charting the LifeCourse tools to help reach some of her most important life goals. Barbara is a young woman who is supported by the South Valley DDS office. Barbara and her team used Charting the LifeCourse tools to help motivate her to live a healthier lifestyle and live her good life.

Barbara Brandel is a young woman who is supported by the South Valley DDS office. Barbara lives independently with support from Open Sky Community Services. Barbara’s team used Charting the LifeCourse tools to help motivate her to live a healthier lifestyle. This presentation will show you how the Support Star and Trajectory tools were used to help support Barbara. She will also speak about how Assistive Technology has helped her in her apartment and at college.

Heather Salera has a BA in Psychology from RIC, after graduation she worked in various non-profit organizations working with adults with disabilities in a variety of settings. Heather has worked for DDS for the past eleven years starting in Framingham and now is in South Valley. For the past nine years she has been one of the ASD-Only Service Coordinators in our office and is also involved with the Assistive Technology initiative in the Central/West region.

Autistic individuals or individuals with autism want to lead full and meaningful lives while furthering their financial stability and contributing their talents to society. Employment is a major factor of personal well-being, and some individuals may need accommodation or support to empower their life journey. Join us and gain new strategies and insights to help change the story as the DDS Regional Autism Program Coordinator facilitates a panel discussion with employers, Autistic individuals/individuals with autism, and other employment support providers. It will be an interactive discussion. We will provide learned strategies, insight, feedback, and resources on being successfully employed for individuals. The focus will be on autism without co-occurring ID but will also be relevant for all individuals with autism. A timeline with actionable steps will guide the discussion, starting with determining employment strengths and goals, accommodations in the workplace, and discussion on employers’ responsibilities.

Pamela P. Ferguson works for the MA. Department of Developmental Services(DDS) – She is the Central /West Regional Autism Program Coordinator. Pamela has been with DDS for the past five years. Over the past year, Pamela’s primary focus has been on Autistic Individuals/Individuals with Autism and Employment. She is passionate about Individuals with developmental disabilities being empowered and living their best lives. Previously, she worked with the MA. Department of Mental Health. Pamela is a Social Worker and has worked in the field of developmental disabilities for many years. Pamela said her greatest accomplishment is being a parent of a son who has unique abilities, and he is currently living a successful life.

Andrew Arboe is a self-advocate with a professional work background consisting of public school, private school, nonprofits, and online programs. His current workplaces include FOCUS Center for Autism, Anderson Center for Autism, and the Children Hospital of Philadelphia. Finally, Andrew is also a public speaker who is known for talking throughout the New England area about autism and his personal experiences. His main topics include special education, transportation, employment and transition to adulthood.

Jake Hammond. “My journey in the tech world started with eight years of personal experience, where I honed my technology skills and specialized in building computers. During a transformative 9-month internship at Springfield College, I wore multiple hats – from serving as an IT Technician in the Technology Service Center to contributing as a Network Technician in Network Systems and Infrastructure. While navigating the professional landscape with ADHD and Asperger’s, I initially hesitated to discuss these aspects of my identity openly. However, I’ve come to appreciate that accepting support doesn’t make me any less capable and that others won’t look down upon me for seeking assistance. It’s a testament to the strengths that neurodiversity brings to the workplace. I am excited about the opportunities to contribute my skills and insights to drive innovation and positive change.”

Kathryn “Kye” Oxx is an autistic person working full time in childcare. Kye is certified Pre-School Teacher and School Aged Site Coordinator from the Department of Early Education. Kye is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Kye has had a variety of jobs working with children at before and after school programs and summer camps. Kye believes in neurodiversity and the social model of disability.

Gyasi Burks-Abbott, MS, is on the faculty of the LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities) Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion. Gyasi graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN with a BA in English and psychology, and he has an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Simmons University in Boston. Gyasi tells the story of how he became an autism self-advocate in his autobiography/memoir titled My Mother’s Apprentice: An Autistic’s Rites of Passage.

Ruth Poirier, Division Supervisor and Project SEARCH Program Coordinator-Ruth has been employed at nebaworks (neba) for nearly 12 years and has worked in just about every branch of neba services. Ruth’s role at neba is to oversee and supervise both Project SEARCH sites, which are hosted at Springfield College and Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. Ruth works with the campus and hospital communities in developing purposeful internship opportunities.

Christine Ventulett-Buckley is a vocational rehabilitation counselor and occupational therapist with over 20 years’ experience in the field of vocational rehabilitation, workforce development and employment supports for people with disabilities. She is currently a project coordinator, employer liaison and training program manager for the Regional Employment Collaboratives.

Heather Morini has managed Recruitment/Talent Acquisition Teams for the past 10 years of her career. After receiving her MBA from WNEU, Heather launched into a position in the HR Department at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, which lead to a Recruiter opportunity. Her current position at MGM Springfield includes making and engaging in community partnerships, forging new partnerships with community leaders .Being from the Northampton, area she already has a large network and wants to cast her net further into more recruitment opportunities.

Erin WeinmanMicroTek, Inc., Executive Vice President Erin joined MicroTek, a not-for-profit manufacturer focused on inclusive employment, in 2013. Erin is responsible for all aspects of the employee experience and mission incorporation. As EVP, Erin works to promote employment inclusion for people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of MicroTek’s operations while ensuring a positive and compliant work environment for all employees. Contact Erin at: erinw@microtek.org

Krista Digregorio has worked for more than 20 years empowering people with disabilities to find and keep employment. In her current position, Krista is part of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s NextGen Careers program. She is leading this new initiative’s west team who serve the Springfield and Worcester areas.