Topic Areas
Topic areas chosen for the 25th Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities are:
Autism
Much attention has been directed toward educational interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. More limited attention has been directed toward the importance of play and leisure skills for this population. And, although children with autism do grow into adults, too little attention has been directed toward transition issues for young adults with autism as they move into their communities. Learn more...
Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Expanded communication technology, research and innovative educational strategies are changing the lives of people who are Deaf, hard of hearing and Deaf-Blind in the U.S. and the Pacific. What have we learned that can shape the future? How have the lives of students and adults who are Deaf/hard of hearing or Deaf-Blind been enhanced? How have their dreams been realized? Learn more...
Disability Rights
The World Bank estimates that 75% of persons with disabilities on earth live in poverty. Individuals with disabilities belong to the poorest of the poor of the world’s population, thus being more likely than any other group to be excluded from resources, access, information and power. Shortages in housing, food and water impact people with disabilities more than many other groups. Learn more...
Disability Studies and Culture
The Pacific Rim Conference strand on Disability Studies and Disability Culture seeks to imagine what our future might entail. This year we have presentations that focus on disability, as sociological and cultural phenomena within the context of the social sciences, humanities, and arts and sciences. Learn more...
Employment
Not since World War II, has the United State Workforce been posed to take another giant leap into the future to become a more creative, productive, diverse workplace. Workers with disabilities have a rightful place in historic times. Learn more...
Family Supports
The Pacific Rim Conference program on Family Supports will present emerging, promising practices addressing the needs of families and individuals with challenges. The family support strand will focus upon working with a family unit taking a 360 degree approach, goal setting with self-advocates, building natural supports, military families, working collaboratively across service providers, and diverse cultural approaches to family supports. Learn more...
Girls and Women’s Issues
The mission of the CDS, who hosts the annual conference, is to support the quality of life, community inclusion, and self-determination of all persons with disabilities and their families. In 2009, the Pacific Rim Conference team is putting a special focus on vulnerable populations who are less likely to be included, and whose self-determination is hampered by additional barriers, discrimination, and poverty. Learn more...
Hidden Disabilities
The Hidden Disabilities topic area will focus on adults with learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), psychiatric disorders, health conditions, traumatic brain injury and more. We will explore advocacy and policy orientations that address hidden disabilities within the context of inclusionary human progress for the 21st century. Learn more...
Independent Living
Living with a disability is a fact of life that almost everyone will experience, either personally, or through their family or friends. Presentations will explore many questions relating to independent living. How does a person with a disability live independently in today’s society? What does independent living mean? Who defines an individual’s independence? What do we want independent living to be in the 21st century? Learn more...
Indigenous Issues / Native Peoples Issues
These presentations will focus on aspects and issues particular to indigenous and native peoples such as: a sense of self, place and community for indigenous people with disabilities; traditional and contemporary indigenous approaches to disability support; legislative and societal barriers, and opportunities that impact support for the indigenous and disabled. Learn more...
Teach to Reach: Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design (UD) is becoming a familiar concept, but what does Universal Design encompass? How far can we take the concept of Universal Design? “Transforming Environment, Attitude, & Learning through Universal Design” will focus on research, hands-on workshops, and demonstrations that go beyond the basic concepts of UD and looking at the way UD impacts the way people interact with one another and new technologies. Learn more...
Transition to Adulthood
The ultimate test of special education services is how well youth with disabilities do after they transition to adulthood. If you have developed, implemented, and/or conducted research on ways to better support youth in this process, then you should consider sharing what works at the annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities. Learn more...
Universal Design for Living, Play, and Work
Universal design is a framework for the design of living, playing and working spaces and products benefiting the widest possible range of people in the widest range of situations without special or separate design. Accommodating people of all sizes, ages, and abilities, Universal design is human-centered design. Learn more...
Youth Advocacy and Leadership
The future of the social justice, self-determination and advocacy rests with our youth and emerging leaders with disabilities. Young people (ages 13-30) will present in the following areas: International Youth Issues (social justice, disability rights, self-determination and self advocacy in other countries: What does it look like and best practices; and more. Learn more...
