Brazos Valley Disability Conference & Resource Fair
Agenda
Brazos Valley Disability Conference & Resource Fair “Making Connections” Schedule
Conference Schedule
- – – Check-in, coffee, Meet Resources
- – – Keynote: Justin Romack
- – – Meet resources
- – – Breakout sessions 1 (choose one to attend)
- Supplemental Security Income- Sandy Smith
- “Building Blocks: Strategies for Supporting Special Needs Across the Lifespan”
Speaker: Brynn Biggs - “Ability Amplified: Essential Skills for Successful Long-term Employment” – Speaker: Beth Sherry
- – – Meet your Disability Resources
- – – Breakout Session 2 (choose one to attend)
- Supplemental Security Income- Sandy Smith
- Financial planning – John Galloway
- Individualized Education Plan-Family understanding & involvement especially to assist with cultural understanding- Tahereh Boroughani
- – – Meet your Disability Resources
- – – Panel
- – End of Conference and Resource Fair
- – – BCS Outlaws Beep Baseball demonstration (located in fields next to Central Church). Contact Hillary Oswald for more information
Speakers
Keynote speaker
Justin Romack
Oh, the Places You’ll Go: Fostering Strength, Confidence and Creativity with Disabled Youth and Young Adults
View Presentation: English
Society seems convinced living life with a disability is tragic, unfulfilling and burdensome, which can often influence opportunities and expectations for youth and young adults looking to explore the world and how they will contribute to it. In this talk, Justin Romack will share how he’s worked to reclaim the narrative on disability and use his blindness as a catalyst for the value he brings to his family, workplace and community involvement, and the ways he coaches, consults and advises disabled youth and young adults to understand their disability and the many strengths they possess.
Breakout speakers
Brynn Biggs
Building Blocks: Strategies for Supporting Special Needs Across the Lifespan
View presentation: English | Spanish
In this session, participants will receive resources to support their child with special needs throughout various life stages, spanning from infancy to adulthood. The content encompasses practical checklists, effective best practices, and instructional methods tailored to foster skills in choice and decision-making, goal setting, self-awareness, and self-determination.
With over twelve years of experience in Texas public schools, Brynn has held diverse roles, including secondary special education teacher, transition coordinator, and 18+ Programs Instructional Coach. Her expertise extends to facilitating professional development at district, state, and national levels, covering various transition-related topics.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Brynn is a self-advocate and a devoted mother to a daughter with multiple disabilities. Her multifaceted background uniquely positions her as both an expert in education and a passionate advocate for individuals with special needs.
Beth Sherry
John Galloway
A 1980 graduate of Texas A&M University, John is an Investment Advisor Representative with Voya Financial Advisors. He holds the Series 6, 7, 63 and 66 securities registrations as well as the Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF ®) Designation. He also holds Life, Health and Disability insurance licenses including Long Term Care as required by the State of Texas.
John has 3 adult children and a grandson. When not immersed in his greatest joy; spending time with family, his hobbies include travel, photography and college sports.
Tahereh Boroughani
Ms. Boroughani’s scholarly pursuits are centered around teaching methodologies for language acquisition, with a specific focus on the pedagogical approaches for students with special needs. Furthermore, in the realm of Individualized Education Programs (IEP), her research critically examines the cultural and linguistic responsiveness of these programs, advocating for a framework that is both inclusive and reflective of the diverse student population needs. Her academic and professional trajectory is driven by the desire to foster inclusive and responsive educational environments that meet students’ developmental needs; thereby, enhancing the learning experience for a diverse student body.
Craig Davis
Craig Davis is the Program Manager for Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living.
Craig is originally from Temple, Texas. He started working in the Independent Living Network in 2014 at the State Independent Living Council where he worked as the Project Coordinator with a special focus on accessibility. He started working for the Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living in December of 2022 as the Program Manager where he oversees the day-to-day management of the center’s programs. In his spare time, he enjoys writing and occasionally performing comedy.
Discussion Panelists
Eric Shahid
Self-Advocate, Founder of Shahid Center for Ability and Development
Mrs. Shahid
Parent Advocate
Ernesto C. Chacon
Self-Advocate, Health Inspector for Galveston County Health District
Amparo Chacon
Parent Advocate
Jana Palcer
Parent Advocate
Autism Pre-Screening Registration
BCS Outlaws Beep Baseball Clinic
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Central Church, 1991 FM 159, College Station, TX, 77845
View event flyer: English
What is Beep Baseball?
Beep baseball is modified baseball for the blind. Athletes use combined skills of strength, auditory senses, and skill both to batter up and to play the field.
About the conference
The conference leadership team organizes and hosts the conference with and for people with disabilities and those who support them in the Brazos Valley. The attendees have an opportunity to visit with local disability and community resources at vendor tables, attend keynote speaker sessions, and learn from area professionals who are also natural supports for the disability community during breakout sessions. Attendees will also connect with resources available to you and your family such as financial resources, respite care, recreational/community inclusion, job training, health care, education, living arrangements and more!
Conference details
- Child care will be available for children ages 2-8 with Project Sunshine.
- Youth Activities will be available for children ages 9+ with Kid’s Klub.
- Refreshments will be provided!
Who should attend: Everyone! We are all part of the disability community – whether we are disabled, a family member, teacher, student, professional, or community member – we all belong!
Who to Contact: Dr. Meagan Orsag at meaganorsag@tamu.edu
Cost to Attend: FREE for all!
How to Register: Online registration is closed. Onsite registration will be provided for attendees.
Thank you and we hope to see you there!
Leadership Team
Leadership Team Members
Texas A&M University
- Meagan Orsag, Ph.D.
- Robin Miller
- Lucinda Thelen
- Justin Romack
- Morgan Bradley
- Tahereh Boroughani
- Xinyuan Yang
Bryan ISD
- Stephanie Garner
- Tonnette Smith
College Station ISD
- Amanda Uresti
- Vanessa Bazan
- Chad Gardner
- Ami Cecil
Easter Seals
- Rebekah Nobles
Central Church
- Special Needs Ministry
BVCOG BV Council of Government
- Barbara Clemmons Partners Resource Network
- Sabrina Thompson
St Joseph Health- WellFIT
- Lindsey Armstrong
St Joseph Outpatient Therapy
- Amy Southard