The Federation for Children with Special Needs, along with co-sponsors the Early Intervention Parent Leadership Project, Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change, Massachusetts Family TIES, Massachusetts Parent Information and Resource Center, the Parent Training and Information Project, and the Parent/Professional Advocacy League is excited to announce next year’s Visions of Community conference will be held March 1st at the Seaport/World Trade Center-Boston.

The conference features over 35 break-out sessions (many presented and/or translated into Spanish, Portuguese, and Cantonese) with topical strands and information covering Early Childhood, Special Education, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Health Care for Children with Special Needs, Transition, Social/Recreation Opportunities and more. Network with other parents and families and pick up free resources in our exhibit hall packed with more than 50 vendors.

Keynote Speakers The Federation is pleased to announce the following keynote speakers for this year's conference:

Paul Reville, Chairman of the Massachusetts State Board of Education Paul Reville is the president of the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy, and serves as the Director of the Education Policy and Management Program and a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He also serves as the Co-Chair of the National Center on Time & Learning. Paul is the former executive director of the Pew Forum on Standards-Based Reform, and was the founding executive director of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education. He also served on the Massachusetts State Board of Education from 1991-96 and chaired the Massachusetts Commission on Time and Learning, as well as the Massachusetts Education Reform Review Commission. Most recently, Paul was appointed the chairman of the Massachusetts State Board of Education by Governor Patrick. Before this recent appointment, Paul served on Governor Patrick’s Transition Team and as chair of the Governor’s Pre-K – 12 Task Force on Governance. He is a former teacher and principal in urban, alternative schools. Paul is a trustee of Wheelock College and the Nativity School of Worcester, and serves on numerous other boards and advisory committees. Last year, he edited the book, “A Decade of Urban School Reform: Persistence and Progress in the Boston Public Schools.” He is a graduate of Colorado College and Stanford University.

Keith Jones, President and CEO of SoulTouchin’ Experiences As an African American community activist and entrepreneur with cerebral palsy, Mr. Jones is a strong advocate for independent quality living in the community. He has participated actively in various issues that face people with disabilities. These areas include, but are not limited to housing, education, and voting access. Mr. Jones is also extremely active in multi-cultural, cross-disability education and outreach efforts and has performed trainings (including train the trainer) with the purpose of strengthening outreach efforts to provide services and information to people with disabilities. He works to not only educate the disability community about enhanced community living, but also the community at large. Mr. Jones holds a strong desire to get the disability community more involved in the issues that concern their own lives. Mr. Jones provides outreach support in relationship to the arts and independent living skills. He has been recognized for his emerging leadership by the state of Massachusetts and President's Commission for Employment for People with Disabilities. Most recently Mr. Jones was recognized by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, with the 2006 Moro Fleming Consumer Involvement Award as well as, a graduate of the inaugural class of Initiative for Diversity in Civic Leadership.

Community Partnership Award Nominations
The Federation is pleased to provide an opportunity to recognize individuals in Massachusetts who have demonstrated outstanding efforts in support of opportunities for inclusion of people with disabilities in the community.

Individuals will be considered for their efforts in areas such as Community Outreach, Inclusive Recreation, Educators (Inclusive and Special Education classrooms), Parent Advocacy, Self-Advocacy, and more. The Community Partnership Awards will be announced at the Federation’s annual Visions of Community Conference, to be held on March 1, 2008 at the World Trade Center, Boston. Download the form and submit by December 7, 2007.
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Conference Schedule

7:30AM Registration Opens

8:30-9:15AM Welcome, Commissioners Greetings, Community Partnership Awards

9:15-10:15AM Keynote

10:15-10:45AM Exhibits/Networking/Break

10:45AM-12:15PM Workshop Session #1

12:15-1:15PM Lunch

1:15-1:45PM Exhibits/Networking

1:45-3:15PM Workshop Session #2

3:15-3:30PM Break

3:30-5PM Workshop Session #3
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Registration Information
Registration can be made online using a credit card or through mail by downloading the registration form and sending with a check made payable to the Federation for Children with Special Needs.

Registration Forms in PDF:
English
Español
Português

Registration fee is $65 per person if you register on or before February 1, 2008; fee is $80 per person after February 1. Last day to register is February 22, if space remains available. Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be provided at no cost.

Interpreters will be available for the most requested workshops with advance notice. If requesting an interpreter, the registration MUST be postmarked by February 1, 2008.
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Child Care is available for children ages 3 to 14 on a limited basis. Please indicate on the registration form if child care is needed and please note that your registration MUST be postmarked by February 1, 2008. A conference staff person will contact you to confirm your needs.
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Scholarship Information
A limited number of partial scholarships are available upon request.
Please call 617-236-7210 ext. 198 (English), 197 (Portuguese), or 199 (Spanish) or email to conf2008@fcsn.org and leave your name, telephone number, and times you can be reached. Please allow several days for a conference staff person to respond to your message.
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Directions and Transportation
The Federation has made arrangements for free round-trip transportation to and from the conference from various sites across the state. Seating will be limited, will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis and participants MUST pre-register.

If you are interested in accessing transportation from any of the locations listed below, please contact the Federation at (800) 331-0688 ext. 196, leave a message, and a staff person will return your call. You can also email us at conf2008@fcsn.org and provide your contact information. Please allow several days for a staff person to get back to you.

The following sites will have bus transportation:

Western Region: Departing from Holyoke at 6:30am
Central Region: Departing from Worcester at 7:00am
Southeastern Region: Departing from Taunton at 7:00am
Northeastern Region: Departing from Lawrence at 7:00am

Plan on being at the site 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, as buses must leave on schedule. Return trips from the World Trade Center, Boston will depart at 5:30.

DIRECTIONS to World Trade Center - Boston
FROM Western MA via Mass Turnpike: Follow the Mass Turnpike/I-90 East (towards Logan Airport) to Exit 25–South Boston (this is the first exit on the right in the tunnel). At the top of the ramp, bear left towards “Seaport Boulevard”. At the first set of lights proceed straight onto East Service Road. At the next set of lights, take a right onto Seaport Boulevard. The “Seaport Boulevard” entrance to the Seaport Garage will be ahead on the right.

FROM Points South via I-93: Heading northbound on I- 93 towards Boston, take Exit 20, which will be immediately after Exit 18. Follow the signs towards “I-90 East”. Take the first exit to “South Boston”. At the first set of lights at the top of the ramp, proceed straight onto East Service Road. At the next set of lights, take a right onto Seaport Boulevard. The “Seaport Boulevard” entrance to the Seaport Garage is ahead on the right.

FROM Points North via I-93: Heading southbound on I-93 Boston, take Exit 23 (Purchase Street/South Station). At the top of the ramp, proceed straight on to Purchase Street. Take the first left onto Congress Street. Take the next left onto Atlantic Ave. Take the next right onto Seaport Boulevard and follow Seaport Boulevard for approximately .8 miles. The “Seaport Boulevard” entrance to the Seaport Garage will be on the right after the Seaport Boulevard/B Street intersection.

FROM Points West via Storrow Drive: Take Storrow Drive East to Leverett Circle and follow signs for I-93 South/Logan Airport. Once on I-93 South, follow directions from “Points North”.

By the MBTA: The MBTA's Silver Line stops at the World Trade Center. For more information call the MBTA at 617-222-3200 or visit the MBTA Silver Line site for schedule times.

Parking: Special Event Parking is available at the Seaport Hotel, across from the World Trade Center for $17. Parking is also available at public lots along Northern Ave, ranging from $7 to $14. (prices subject to change)
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