Focus facts on community living, 01/2009

              CENTER FOR LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP
OKLAHOMA’S FEDERALLY DESIGNATED
UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (UCEDD)
JANUARY 2009
2009 Oklahoma Governor’s Conference on Developmental Disabilities
Plan to help kick-off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at the 2009 Oklahoma Governor’s Con-ference
on Developmental Disabilities, scheduled on March 2-3, 2009, at the Tulsa Renaissance Hotel
and Conference Center, 6808 South 107th East Ave., Tulsa, OK. The theme for this year’s conference is
“You’re Not the Boss of Me!” The Road to Freedom, Support, Authority, and Responsibility. Freedom,
Authority, Support and Responsibility are the four main principles of self-determination. Self-determination
is the concept that people with developmental disabilities should have as much choice and control over
their lives as possible. This year’s conference will focus on understanding what self-determination really
means and that people with developmental disabilities can live safe, healthy, self-directed lives. Keynote
speakers and topics are described below:
Monday, March 2 – 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. – Derrick Dufresne
Mr. Dufresne has more than 40 years experience in the field of developmental disabilities. He is the foun-der
and senior partner of Community Resource Alliance. Mr. Dufresne’s focus is assisting self-advocates,
families, providers, and professionals on the principles of full inclusion for all people with disabilities into
the mainstream of community life. One of his recent projects includes the implementation of self-determination
in a Medicaid environment. Mr. Dufresne is involved in system change and presents fre-quently
on Changing the System, One Person at a Time. For more information about Mr. Dufresne, visit
his website http://www.craconferences.com/.
Tuesday, March 3 – 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. – Mark Nasjleti
Mr. Nasjleti, a young man with Down syndrome, shares his personal story about leading a healthy, active,
and self-determined lifestyle. He is the president and founder of his own business, Go Voice for Choice.
The business focuses on changing lifestyles and helping self-advocates, families and caregivers to enjoy
happier and healthier lives. Mr. Nasjleti will share how he lost more than 130 pounds and his secret to
success in all areas of his life. He has traveled around the United States and some foreign countries in-spiring
people to take control of their lives. For more information about Mr. Nasjleti, visit his website http://
www.govoiceforchoice.com.
The registration fee is $50. Scholarships are available for self-advocates, parents and family members.
For more information about the conference or to register online, visit http://register.oucpm.org/
ddsd2009gov/ or www.okdhs.org. To request a printed registration brochure, contact Gail Russell, at 1-
866-521-3571 or via email at Gail.Russell@okdhs.org.
Reaching Across the Plains
Reaching Across the Plains, a statewide conference for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and
professionals, is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Moore Norman
Technology Center, South Penn Campus – Conference Center, 13301 S. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City,
OK. The conference will focus on learning how to support individuals with Down syndrome; to help them
live productive, independent and successful lives. The conference is presented by the Down Syndrome
Association of Central Oklahoma, the Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa, the Down Syndrome Connec-tion
of Northwest Arkansas, and the Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society. For more information
about the conference, visit www.dsaco.org or email conferenceinfo@dsaco.org.
TASH 2009 Web Conference Series
“Poverty does not have to be synonymous with disability.” Asset Building for People with Disability, is the
title of a 2009 web conference series provided by TASH. The series is scheduled for January 21 and 28,
February 11 and 18, and March 4 and 11, 2009. Conference speakers will provide information about the
concepts that support asset development for people with disabilities. They will also look at what is currently
happening around the country and discuss the possibilities for the future. For more information about the
web conference series or to register, visit http://www.tash.org/index.html.