2024 Visions of Community Virtual Conference
Videos, Sponsors, Exhibitors & Community – Still Accessible Online!
Thank you to the nearly one thousand people who joined us for this year’s Visions of Community main event on March 9. Workshop videos will remain available for three months on our Whova event page. You can also still connect with exhibitors, sponsors, and other event participants on the conference platform. Check it out!
Upcoming Visions of Community In-Person Events
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Virtual Conference Highlights
Keynote Speakers
Dan Bergmann
Dan Bergmann is an autism advocate who uses augmentive communication and drew national attention when he won a Commencement Address speaker prize from Harvard Extension School in 2021. In his address, he describes his post-school goals as, “tackling some of the mysteries of my kind of autism, work that will contribute to normalizing the communication of millions like me. And also, I hope to shed some light on neurotypical brain functioning in areas like memory, initiative, and the interplay of interdependence and independence.” Addressing his fellow graduates, he sayid, “the idea that you can help others has always been obvious and your studies enable you to be better at it. But for me, the belief that I could have a profession and really be of use came gradually.” Hear more from and about Dan from Harvard University Extension School, CBS Sunday Morning and Met Stories.
Tiffany Hammond
Tiffany Hammond (she/her) is a New York Times bestselling author and the voice behind the Fidgets and Fries platform. She is an Autistic mother, advocate, and storyteller who uses her personal experiences with Autism and parenting two Autistic boys to guide others on their journey. Tiffany has a Masters in Developmental Psychology and spends her time teaching, coaching, and mentoring others in Disability Justice issues. Her activism is rooted in challenging the current perception of Autism as a lifelong burden, cultivating a community that explores the concept of Intersectionality and inspiring thought leaders through storytelling, education, and critical discourse. Tiffany was born and raised in Texas and grew up on deep dish pie and stories from her grandmother. She is a dreamer by day and a cereal killer at night. You can usually find Tiffany writing in the light of the moon or thinking about what to write in the light of the day. When she isn’t writing, she is building epic pillow forts with her two sons or going on long road trips with her family.
Conference Highlights
Session Topics Include:
Caregiver Support and Respite
Impact of Racial Trauma
Early Intervention
Family-School Partnerships
Financial and Insurance Programs
Mental Health
Special Education Law
Life After High School
Pre-Conference Sessions:
Networking and Conference Navigation
The New IEP Form
Meet the Commissioners
Mental Health & Trauma Concerns of Immigrant Families
Intro to Genetics for Parents and School Personnel