KEYNOTE SPEAKER LINE-UP FOR 2008 CONFERENCE

NORMAN KUNC from British Columbia, Canada Returning Supported Life Keynote Speaker (1999, 2001, 2006)

Norman speaks internationally as a well-known disability rights advocate & inclusion educator. Born with cerebral palsy, he has experienced segregation’s injustices first-hand. His groundbreaking concepts & inspirational challenges to how we see “disability” have led us to invite him back for the 4th time in the past 9
years! Look for his eye-opening breakout session on Friday morning “Hell-Bent on Helping: Friendship, Benevolence, & the Politics of Help.” On Friday afternoon, he helps us close out our 22nd Annual Conference by explaining the pernicious effects of leaving people out, in his Keynote speech: “The Habits of Exclusion.”

MICHAEL CALLAHAN from Mississippi: Returning Supported Life Keynote Speaker (1997)

Employment for All has always been a key component of dignity & justice. This speaker has consulted throughout the US, Canada, & Europe on Employment & Transition. He is President of the highly-regarded Marc Gold & Associates since 1982. He gives us a thorough look at employment & how to find customized
jobs truly based on people’s interests & abilities. Don’t miss Michael’s Thursday morning Opening Keynote, “Customized Employment: Offering a Working Lifestyle for All.” His follow-up sessions Thursday afternoon focus on the “Discovery” method & on “Planning for Success … Guiding Job Developers to Customized Jobs.”

JAYNE CHASE from Alabama Welcome Jayne in her first time at Supported Life

Jayne, a mother of 3, became involved in disability issues when son J. Paul received the label of autism. She works to create welcoming communities for all children & adults & believes All means All. Jayne’s beliefs & her presentation titles embody this year’s Conference Theme, with her “Anything You Say May Be Used Against You”
Thursday lunch keynote giving insight to how language creates or undermines dignity & justice. Anticipating Columbus Day, her “Discovering the New World” session looks at the “Old World” we experience & the “New World” we yearn for. Jayne currently works as State Coordinator of Alabama’s Partners in Policymaking.

TOM POMERANZ of Indiana Welcome Tom in his first time at Supported Life

Tom is a longtime internationally recognized authority in the field. With recent revival of interest in California in major change/transition in Adult Day Program & Employment services, he has been called upon to train us all in best practices in building community and transitioning our programs & services to better enhance quality of life for people with disabilities. His “Universal Enhancement” approach is detailed in his many books & publications. He promotes Work for securing dignity & respect, with his Friday morning keynote “Transition: From Consumers to Producers” and follow-up 2-part strand “Approaching a Real Life: A Paradigm Shift for Adult Day Services.”

See link to brochure for the many break out sessions (including Trudy Marsh Holmes, from PHP)

• A special rate of $129.00 per night for single or double occupancy ($139.00 per night for 3-4 people) is available for those attending Supported Life 2008. A portion of room rate is used to subsidize conference registration fees.

• All rooms are subject to a city tax of 12.1% and a tourism assessment of $1.25 per night.

• To make reservations, contact the DoubleTree Hotel directly and make specific reference to the Supported Life 2008 Conference. To ensure receipt of this special rate, make reservations before September 15th, 2008.

• Check-in time at the hotel is 3:00 p.m.; check-out time is 12 noon. Parking at the DoubleTree Hotel is free.

• Super Shuttle provides Airport shuttle service to the hotel. Call them for fee information (800) 258-3826

• Conference attendees will receive a map with detailed directions to the DoubleTree Hotel along with their registration confirmation materials.

• Come a day early or stay a day later?? - yes, you may still request the conference room rate - ask by 9/15/08!