Disability Rights & Inclusion

Workshop Description: Advocacy means speaking up and taking action to make positive change. In this session, researchers and advocates will present how they are using art-making to understand and strengthen advocacy in the local autistic community. Students will discuss art, storytelling, and social change and have an opportunity to create their own advocacy-focused vision board collage.

Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Advocacy / Action, art project (mini collage)

This workshop is offered: PM, sessions 3 & 4

Content Level: Beginner 

Speaker Bios: 

Helen Rottier is a Researcher at the Waisman Center in Madison, where she explores how to include disabled communities in disability research through community-engaged methods.

Jina Chun is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison who works with individuals, families, and communities to improve employment experiences and support inclusive transitions from school to adulthood.

River Kratochvil is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying rehabilitation psychology and founder of NeuroPride, a student organization for neurodivergent community and advocacy.

Workshop Description: Autistic kids have unique health needs, but historically the healthcare system has not been set up to effectively meet those needs. Neurodiversity affirming healthcare is care that embraces neurodiversity and addresses the unique needs of children with autism. This workshop will help students learn what neurodiversity affirming healthcare looks like and explore ways to advocate in a healthcare setting.

Participants can expect: Discussion, Small group work, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Q&A

This workshop is offered: PM, sessions 3 & 4

Content Level: Beginner

Speaker Bio: Katie Kastner is a developmental pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin Waisman Center where she provides medical care for children with developmental delays and disabilities. She also works in medical education to provide training for medical students and residents related to disability advocacy and developmental care for children.