Beyond the Diploma: Planning for What’s Next
Participants will leave with:

1. A clear overview of postsecondary options.
2. Simple, actionable strategies to support transition planning.
3. Confidence in guiding students and families through next steps.

Parents as Drivers of Inclusive Education

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand the central role of parents in driving successful inclusive education.

Identify effective strategies for building collaborative relationships with school staff and service providers.

Recognize how to maintain high expectations for children with disabilities while honoring their unique learning pace.

Explore opportunities for building peer support and advocacy networks among parents.

Social Connections: Building Strong Relationships & Support Systems
The outcome of this presentation is to equip caregivers, families, educators, and service providers with the knowledge and tools to strengthen social connections and build resilient networks of support for individuals with disabilities and their families. By emphasizing the role of social fitness and diverse support systems, this session fosters well-being, empowerment, and sustainable relationships.

From Paper to Practice: Navigating Preschool EI IEPs in PA
Gain a comprehensive understanding of Preschool Early Intervention IEPs in PA.

Be equipped to identify and respond to situations in which IEPs are not implemented as written, using appropriate resolution techniques.

Recognize the critical role of families and Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers as equal partners in the IEP process, and learn strategies to support their meaningful inclusion.

Strengthen their collaborative practice skills through the analysis and discussion of a real-world case scenario.

Leave with practical tools, strategies, and resources to improve communication and accountability.

Success and Empowerment  –  High School and Beyond

Presentation objectives are:

1) Introduce attendees to aspects of person-centered planning and a strengths-based approach to post-school activities.
2) Empower individuals to create goals and take small steps towards goal completion.
3) Practice and use simple planning tools that individuals create for themselves to help build a sense of abilities, strengths and competence.
4) Learn about resources and opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families

Inclusion & Civil Rights: Laying the Foundation for Systemic Change

Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the roles and responsibilities of educators & administrators in promoting inclusive practices within educational systems.

Attendees will learn about components of IDEA that harness the power to create systemic change for students with disabilities in public schools.

& Disability Inclusive Curriculum

Lisa Aquila is a resident of Northeast Philadelphia and has advocated for the independent living movement since the early 1990s. Lisa has worked as a personal care attendant for Home & Community based services from 2006 until 2013 until she acquired her a disability. Lisa was an active volunteer for Disability Equality in Education since 2017. Lisa lobbied for the passage of Disability Inclusive Curriculum with her state representative Joseph Hohenstein. She co-founded the Coalition on Disability Inclusive Curriculum in 2021 to build awareness and support for Pennsylvania’s Disability Inclusive Curriculum Legislation made into law in July 2022. Since then the Coalition has grown to include members from many other states. Lisa is the proud Board Vice Chair for Disability Equality in Education and serves as their outreach Liaison. Lisa has co-

written some lessons on The Disability Equality In Education website and is an active member of Penn Tash Education Committee.

Icylee L. Basketbill (She/Her) is a parent of a 20-year-old daughter diagnosed with autism

spectrum disorder (ASD). Icylee is the Lead Program Facilitator with Philadelphia Area Sexual Health

Initiative (PASHI) at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), where she facilitates sexual health prevention programs for neuro-typical and neurodiverse young adults across Philadelphia.

Icylee obtained an Associate of Arts in Human Services from Harcum College (2020) and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a minor of Psychology (2022) from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.  

  Icylee also works for the Philadelphia Autism Project with the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University as the Family and Community Liaison. Icylee is a Support Broker, ODP-Certified and a Certified Parent Café Trainer in P.A. as well as a Family Trainer with Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. Icylee is current member of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Leadership Council and a committee member the DHAN- Disability Health Action Network with the Arc of PA, Families to the Max (F2MAX) Council and a prior board member of the PEAL Center and Information Sharing and Advisory Committee subISAC under ODP – Office of Developmental Programs.

  In 2024, Icylee joined The Color of Autism Foundation, as a Mentor and Educational Trainer, where she currently facilitates parent support groups and parent trainings to discuss various topics such as: Toilet Training, Challenging Behaviors, Social Connections, and continues to help educate and support families in recognizing the stages of emotions when receiving a diagnosis for neurodiverse loved ones.

Dr. Alyssa Blasko, BCBA is an Assistant Professor who completed her PhD in Special Education at Lehigh University. She holds a B.S. in Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with an Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement and a M.Ed. in Special Education from Lehigh University. Dr. Blasko is a certified special education and general education teacher in Pennsylvania and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. Her teaching background primarily includes supporting students diagnosed with autism and emotional and behavioral disabilities. Her research interests include training and developing high-quality Individualized Education Programs, applied behavior analysis, and using evidence-based practices in special education classrooms.

Dr. Ashlee M. Brown, BCBA, LBS has spent 18 years serving children with disabilities and their families in the Philadelphia, PA area. Throughout those years, Dr. Brown served as a Special Education Teacher, as well as a Special Education Administrator. She is a certified Special and General Education Teacher, a certified PA Supervisor of Special Education, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS). Dr. Brown received her Ph.D. in Special Education at Temple University in 2019. Prior to joining WCU, Dr. Brown spent 11 years as a special education leader in the Preschool Early Intervention system in Philadelphia. Her leadership efforts included serving as the Director of a Private Academic School for young children with Autism, the implementation of large-scale program improvement efforts across Philadelphia, coaching support in the application of special education regulations, spearheading professional development for approximately 2,000 special education teachers, paraprofessionals and related service personnel, multiple family engagement initiatives and numerous research projects alongside several local universities. Dr. Brown has also served as an Adjunct Professor at La Salle University since 2015 and on the Executive Board of the PA Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children (PACEC) since 2021.

Dr. Brown is dedicated to improving special education services for children and families. Her research interests include the equitable application of special education law in diverse settings, the implementation of evidence-based practices for young children with disabilities and their families and developing effective professional development structures for in-service educators and related personnel.

Sara Crimm is co-founder and director of Families CCAN. Her motivation in creating this nonprofit is to build connections and community and to provide a forum where the expertise, vision and strengths of individuals with disabilities and their families can be shared. She is dedicated to creating new models for adults with disabilities to live, work and play in ther communities. Since Families CCAN’s founding she has helped develop unique opportunities for families and individuals to leanr and take steps towards independence. Sara has over 25 years’ experience spporting and leading nonprofits in teh Philadelphia area. She is the parent of 3 adult children; her middle son is a nonspeaking autistic. His determination to exercise choice and agency in his own life continues to inform and guide Sara’s efforts.

Michele Gardner serves as All In’s Executive Director, joining the team with 26 years of experience in the New Jersey public schools, filling a variety of roles including paraprofessional, special education teacher, LDTC, Supervisor, Assistant Principal and Director of Special Services. She has also been an adjunct instructor with The College of New Jersey for 18 years for the Department of Special Education, Language & Literacy. Michele dedicated her administrative career to making public schools inclusive spaces for students with a wide range of learning abilities. She is also the recipient of the 2020 NJCIE Inclusion Honors award and the 2020 NJASA Special Education Administrator of the Year.

Alan Holdsworth AKA Johnny Crescendo has been in educator on disability rights for 30 years as the first Vanguard of Educators through his music and poetry. He was schooled by the Giants of the disability rights movement.  His major achievements include creating the First Independent Living Program for people with intellectual disabilities, developing comprehensive training for educators and core coordinators, being Central to the passage of disability Discrimination Act in the UK, leaving a Grassroots movement D.A.N. – the direct action Network to make public transport accessible.  Alan has been educating others for almost 40 years about disability issues. he is a world-famous disability right Singer-songwriter And one of the forefathers of the disability Arts movement.  In 2023 Allen received the inaugural Duty human advocacy award from the national Independent Living Council. Alan is the innovator of Disability Pride celebrations and the Disability Inclusive Curriculum The first of its kind in the US.

Julie Lang: Julie is an Inclusion Facilitator for All In. She has over 27 years of experience teaching

and coaching in the NJ public school system. Her areas of expertise are teaching and co-teaching

in an inclusive classroom, curriculum, literacy development, and literacy instruction. Julie is currently a doctoral candidate studying Instructional Leadership: Coaching and Mentoring.

Dr. Tanya Manning-Yarde is an educator, editor, and creator dedicated to amplifying neurodiverse voices and empowering families. With over two decades of experience across education and editorial work, she brings a rare blend of classroom insight, storytelling skill, and a deep commitment to community connection.

The mother of two sons, one of whom is diagnosed with Autism and speech delay, she is the creator and host of the podcast and YouTube channel Who Needs Shoes?, a platform devoted to building community among those impacted by autism. She also produces Father.Son.Galaxy., her family’s podcast and YouTube channel that celebrates Star Wars, Marvel, family literacy and neurodiversity. The family’s advocacy was recognized this past summer with a citation from Philadelphia Councilwoman Kendra Brooks, and featured as a panelist team for National Head Start.

As a writer, Dr. Manning-Yarde creates picture books featuring neurodiverse main characters and is represented by literary agent Bridgette Kam of Westwood Creative Artists. Through her business, TMY Editing Services, she helps authors and organizations communicate clearly and effectively, specializing in transforming complex ideas into meaningful, accessible content.

Drawing on her years as a PK–16 educator, instructional coach, and editor, Tanya combines professional expertise with lived family experience to help parents, educators, and creators nurture both literacy and inclusion at home and beyond.

Abby Martucci has over 20 years of experience in person-centered planning. She came to Families CCAN in early 2021 after working in the Supports Coordination world for many years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and a Master’s degree in Sociology with a concentration ins Tratification and Inequality from Mississippi State University. In her work with Families CCAN, she promotes strengths-based solutions to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live their best lives. Dedicated to the promotion of radical inclusion, Abby works beside families and individuals as they move towards their own person-centered vision for independence.

Conference Resources:

Stay tuned!