Diversity Conference

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Description: Join us for an enlightening presentation where we'll explore the dynamic relationship between ADA and Neurodiversity, guiding you through the intricacies of navigating inclusivity, revealing a wealth of resources, and demonstrate how to confidently discuss accommodations that benefit individuals and organizations alike. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of a transformative discussion!

Presenters: Benjamin Baldonado, Leah Lobato, & Josh Rodeback

Bio: Leah Lobato, Josh Rodeback, and Ben Baldonado are dedicated professionals comprising the Business Relations Team at the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. As esteemed members of Disability:IN Utah and contributors to the Governor's Committee on Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, they bring their expertise to consult employers and hiring officials on effective strategies for hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities, thus playing a pivotal role in helping these individuals secure meaningful and fulfilling employment opportunities.

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Description: Kari Harbath - mother to Sloan (a DeafBlind, disabled, tenacious human), councilmember on the Utah Schools for the Deaf andBlind council, and advisory board member for the Utah Parent Center shares her perspective and learnings as a solo parent to a toddler with profound disabilities. She'll share how she embraces, advocates for, and celebrates children with disabilities - plus how other parents, caregivers, and professionals can help do the same. (Suicide, grief, and medical trauma will be discussed in this presentation.)

Presenters: Kari Harbath

Bio: Kari Harbath is a councilmember on the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind advisory council, advisory board member for the Utah Parent Center, owner of Sloan's Scrunchies, and mom to Sloan - a tenacious, DeafBlind, disabled toddler. After several years of loss and major life change, Kari has found her footing in advocacy and allyship for the disabled community, topics of mental health, and grief. Find her at @kariandsloan on instagram.

Autism and Acquiring a University Education: A historical Background

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Description: The aim of the presentation is to explore immense vast potential of individuals with autism in pursuing a university education. This will be achieved through a comprehensive review of significant achievements in this field.

Presenters: Abdulnaser Kaadan

Bio: Prof. Abdulnaser Kaadan is from Syria. He is an orthopedic surgeon since 1986, received his PhD in History of Medicine in 1993. Since January 2017, he has been working as a visiting international professor at Weber State University, UT-USA. He has participated in more than 130 international congresses outside Syria, has 65 published papers and 8 books, and has been granted 25 scholarships, awards and prizes from Japan, Britain, Singapore, France, Taiwan, Germany, the United States of America, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, and Syria. Prof. Kaadan was nominated for Nobel Prize in Literature (historical studies) in 2012 by Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine & Sciences in India.

Creating a Neurodivergent Affirmative Community in Academia

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Description: Neurodivergent affirmative communities reduce the risk of suicide. In this session, participants will learn how to foster neurodivergent affirmation in academia to aid in the well-being and success of students.

Presenters: Whitney Geertsen

Bio: Whitney Lee is an Autistic Disability Rights and Mental Health activist and founder of the grassroots group Neurodiverse UT. They are an avid animal lover and live with their fur baby Kira.

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Description: Presenters will provide an overview of some resources available to help students with disabilities prepare to transition from school to the world of work. Presenters will share information on how to connect with resources and highlight success stories.

Presenters: Aimee Langone, Elsie Howard

Aimee Langone Bio: Aimee Langone, MEd, CRC, LVRC currently serves as the Transition and Supported Employment Coordinator for the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. Aimee has also held positions as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the states of Utah, Georgia, andOhio. Aimee is passionate about ensuring youth with disabilities have opportunities for employment and independence.

Elsie Howard Bio: Elise Harward, CRC, LVRC, is the Pre-Employment Service Contract Specialist for the State of Utah Office of Rehabilitation. Prior to her current position she worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor. She obtained a Masters of Rehabilitation from Utah State University. She is an advocate for students with disabilities.

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Description: Participants will learn common manifestations of neurodiversity within couple relationships. Participants will become familiar with six areas of intentional understanding in couple relationships Participants will learn three tools to optimize individual differences to enhance couple functioning.

Presenters: Aaron Jeffrey, Carrie Jeffrey

Aaron Jeffrey Bio: Aaron Jeffrey, PhD, LMFT, has been a Marriage and Family Therapist for 20 years and is the Director of the WSU Counseling and Psychological Services Center.

Carrie Jeffrey Bio: Carrie Jeffrey, PhD(c), RN, is an Assistant Professor, registered nurse, and Director of Doctoral programs in the Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing at WSU.

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Description: The goal of this presentation is to provide a perspective from a person on the spectrum, a parent perspective and the impact of community.

Presenters: Eric Stoker, Karla Stoker

Eric Stoker Bio: Eric is a compassionate leader and advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. Eric shares his expertise and experiences as a young man with Autism, which is a gift among the many friends, individuals with disabilities, families, professionals and fellow leaders across the state of Utah. In 2010, Eric received the Flame of Hope Award from the Utah State Office of Education for his work in self-advocacy. In 2014, Eric received the Champions of Equal Opportunity Award from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and is also a member of the Advocates as Leaders Speakers’ Network.

Karla Stoker Bio: Karla Stoker has a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Westminster College and knew absolutely nothing about autism prior to Eric's diagnosis. Being Eric's mom has provided more knowledge, joy and happiness than she could have ever imagined. What a journey!

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Description: For this presentation I will share my ten years of workforce experience as an autistic individual with ADHD, offering best practices for neurodivergent individuals and their allies. I hope to empower neurodivergent students, faculty, and community members by providing practical strategies to navigate their professional journeys effectively.

Presenters: Chloe Jensen

Bio: Chloe Jensen (she/they) is an expert in data science, AI, and data visualization on KLAS Research's consulting team and serves as co-president of the organization's Neurodiversity Employee Resource Group. Chloe has a unique ability to combine their analytics background with their experience as an autistic adult with ADHD to take a data driven approach to driving inclusivity for the Neurodiversity community.

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Description: This presentation will provide a comprehensive understanding of ADHD beyond common stereotypes, highlighting its diverse manifestations and emphasizing the unique experiences of individuals diagnosed with the condition.

Presenters: Jonathan Selden

Bio: With over 20 years in nursing, Jonathan Selden is a dedicated Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a focus on ADHD. He is thrilled to contribute to this year's Diversity Conference, offering a nuanced discussion of ADHD within the rich tapestry of neurodiversity.

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Description: This presentation will provide a window into one student's experience with higher education and a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis, including what was challenging and what fostered success.

Presenters: Story Sutton

Bio: Story Sutton is a former Weber student and current Weber staff member with degrees in EarlyChildhood, Family Studies, and Higher Education Leadership. She is passionate about the learning process, personal growth, helping others, cooking, paddleboarding, and time with her family.