Wednesday, October 20
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Keynote: Encore Studio for the Performing Arts
Telling stories for over 22 years and counting! Encore Studio for the Performing Arts opened its doors on September 6th, 2000. With a troupe of 18 actors and 6 staff, Encore has produced 50+ original works to date, with many more to come. Encore has traveled all over Wisconsin and beyond. The original work Encore led to local, regional, and national attention.
Encore actors bring a challenging and authentic message about disability and culture. In this keynote, they will discuss how theater and film can have an important impact in telling your story from persons with disabilities. This presentation will include two original scenes from Encore’s early years, “Not Stubborn, Not Strong-Willed” and “Look Closer” (two short plays with music).
Heather Renken
KelsyAnne Schoenhaar
Christie Stadele
Stevie Woodson
Sarah Schoenhaar
Keynote Speakers
Heather Renken is the Artistic Director at Encore Studio for the Performing Arts where she has worked for over 9 years as an Associate Artistic Director. She is a performer for The Dinner Detective Madison and The Improv Lab in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Heather has taught drama and play writing with the Children’s Theater of Madison for their Young Playwrights Program. Heather is Artistic Director Emerita for Broom Street Theater where she mentored and produced over 60 original plays and projects over her 7year tenure. Heather holds a BA in Theatre from Butler University where she graduated with High Honors in Theatre.
KelsyAnne Schoenhaar is the Executive Director and Founding Artistic Director & Resident Playwright. A Jane-of-all-trades, Kelsy began performing music professionally at 12 years old and has played everything from rock to symphonic to jazz. She has written, directed & produced original children’s theatre; and she has been a professional in the human services field for 35 years. Since she began her work at Encore in May of 2000, she has written around 50 productions. In her spare time, Kelsy has consulted with other theatre companies throughout the US, is an active filmmaker, freelance writer, and speaker. Kelsy’s work with Encore has been featured in American Theatre Magazine, The Wisconsin State Journal, The Progressive Magazine, and many others. Kelsy continues to share her vision and mission of showcasing the talents and amazing stories of people with disabilities.
Christie Stadele is a professional actor for 21 years; Christie began studying music at the early age of 6 years old. While studying piano and voice, Christie quickly discovered she had perfect pitch – a rare ability for any musician. Prior to her career at Encore, Christie primarily volunteered as a musician. Christie has been telling her stories, her realities and sharing what it’s like to live in her world, as someone who is blind and on the autism spectrum.
Stevie Woodson holds the title of most senior actor at Encore. As a person with Autism, Stevie has always been very soft spoken. From a young age, Stevie honed her talent as a pantomime actor and dancer. She has also taken on the role of light and sound technician for Encore. Stevie has recently gone back to stage acting and has dazzled us with slapstick performances in a soon to be released short film, “Bona Fide.”
Sarah Schoenhaar is a person of many talents, interests, and passions. Sarah also discovered she has perfect pitch – and incredible ear for music. Sarah graduated with honors from UW Madison with a degree in Spanish and has been a tutor, a teacher, a translator, and interpreter. In 2021, she began working with Encore. Since then, she has written works and been a direct support professional. There is no place she feels more at home than at Encore.
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Networking Break & Exhibitor Corner
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Really Good Learning Sessions 25 – 32
If there are technical difficulties with the Zoom link, enter in the Meeting ID listed in each session.
hide
Presenter: Tyler Engel, William Schultz
Sporting events are often diffcult for people with disabilities to attend due to cost and accessibility barriers. After attending Forward Madison matches in 2019, William Schultz and friends decided to start a group to make game days more welcoming to people with disabilities. The AccessiMingos group was formed. Learn how this group worked to remove barriers for the 2021 season for a local Soccer team.
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 82504090464
Session 25: Taking Charge of your Health Care Needs
Presenters: Tim Markle and PATCH Youth
Youth from PATCH (Providers and Teens Collaborating for Health) will share tips for taking charge of your health care. Learn how to share information about your condition, how to stay healthy, and more. You will leave with the tools for transition.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (669) 254-5252
Meeting ID: 161 380 7690
Session 26: Becoming a Self-Advocate Leader and Finding your Voice
Presenters: Priscilla Battle, Ginger Beuk, Camille DeGaz,
Emily Savage, and Kristi Scheunemann
The BPDD-Living Well Project Self-Advocate Leaders panel will discuss what they have learned about becoming leaders, helping others find their voices, and working with organizations to make changes in their environments to better support people with disabilities. Learn about how you can develop leadership skills and participate in leadership activities just like the Self-Advocate Leaders.
Or Dial in: (669) 254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 367 2136
Session 27: The Power of Hiring Self-Advocates
Presenters: Nikki Glakowski and Tina Wiley
Learn how an organization intentionally engaged to increase self-advocacy within it. Topics will include how hiring a self-advocate within the organization strengthened the overall organization and how incorporating a member advisory board and conversations on rights and intentional family engagement were key ingredients to enhance self-advocacy.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (669) 254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 941 0449
Session 28: My Disability Roadmap – Film Screening
Moderated by: Michelle Roach
In this film, we follow Samuel Habib. He is 21, wants to date, leave home, and go to college. But he drives a 350-pound wheelchair, uses a communication device, and can have a seizure at any moment. Determined to find his path forward, he gets guidance from disability activists across the country.
Or Dial in: (669) 254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 143 3044
Session 29: It’s Your Story, Share it!
This session will have Sign Language Interpretation
Presenters: Cheryl Schiltz
Cheryl will share her experiences as she was writing her book, “Silencing the Noise of Disability.” From her first idea to the ending, to publishing, she will share what she learned about the process of writing a book and about herself. Through a hands-on activity, Cheryl will provide an opportunity to begin developing your ideas and your story.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (669) 254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 170 5668
Session 30: The next chapter: Person-Centered Advocacy for Ages 60 and Over
Presenters: Rosie Bartel, Kelly Gochenaur, Mary McKeown, Kathy Miller, and Kayla Smith
Too often we hear, “I didn’t know you existed” or “I didn’t know who could help me.” It is so important to know who to turn to when you have a question or run into an issue related to your wishes and preferences related to self-direction . Learn about the avenues you can take to educate yourself, to be YOUR best advocate. This presentation provides an overview of the IRIS advocacy services of the State of Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care. Discussed will be the current preferences and advocacy needs of maturing adults as relate to IRIS supports and services.
Or Dial in: 669 444 9171
Meeting ID: 881 3488 3171
Session 31: Telling Your Story with Improvisation
Presenters: Heather Renken, with Encore Studio repertory company actors
All the world’s a stage, and everybody has a story to tell. Join us in celebrating your lives, your stories. As an active improvisational actor and facilitator, Heather will help participants of this session bring their stories to life. It’s time to tell the world! Join us in this very fun, very relaxed session. You’ll be glad you did.
Or Dial In: (669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 878 0400 9404
Session 32: YouTube Channel Story Studio
Not available virtually
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch and Networking Break
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 820 3825 7143
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Really Good Learning Sessions 33 – 40
If there are technical difficulties with the Zoom link, enter in the Meeting ID listed in each session.
hide
Presenters: Lauren Dettmer, Virginia Harrison, Nicole Lee
Wondering how to build a full life after high school? Join us to explore what opportunities for community engagement are possible after high school with exploratory, strengths-based activities and group sharing. You will leave this session feeling empowered to pursue community connections.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (312) 626-6799
Meeting ID: 88169008320
Session 33: Let’s Talk about the Tough Stuff – Workforce Crisis
Presenters: Patti Becker and Stacy Ellingen
Learn how to use social media and online networks to advocate to change the WI Direct Care Workforce crisis. Sharing personal stories is hard but important in advocacy. Hard stuff is always better together – join us to create your story and spark change.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (669) 254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 349 4444
Session 34: How is IRIS Working for You?
Presenter: Lynn Breedlove, Jason Endres, and Andy Thain
Lynn recently wrote a paper titled, “What Would a Great Self-Direction Program Look Like?”. This session will offer participants an opportunity to reflect on their own experience in an IRIS program. Discuss 4 of the areas of self-direction which Lynn feels are essential to people having a positive self-direction experience.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (669) 254-5252
Meeting ID: 161 083 5014
Session 35: Q&A with Family Care and IRIS Ombudsman
No video available
Session 36: I can work and manage my benefits
Presenters: Erica Bessert and David Pinno
Many individuals who receive disability benefits are afraid to start working for fear of losing their disability benefits or healthcare. Many other reasons may cause someone to remain without a job they wish to have. Get an overview of disability benefits, and how income from work may affect these benefits, and ways individuals can keep or obtain healthcare while working. Attendees will be able to hear first-hand experience and engage in a question-and-answer session with self-advocate David Pinno and his story of working while navigating benefits and continuing health care coverage.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (669) 254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 017 3159
Session 37: All Aboard: Making Transportation Work for You!
Presenters: Julie Blasky, Ramsey Lee, and Nick Musson
Transportation jargon can be confusing and hard to understand, making it difficult to navigate the transportation system. Learn the meaning of commonly used transportation words and how to use them to communicate your needs. We will break down different tasks needed when using public and/or private transportation. We will provide tips, tricks and tools to help you master these skills. You will also learn about different ways to get around your neighborhoods. Finally, you will discover how you can use your voice to be a transportation advocate.
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: (669) 254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 877 3116
Session 38: Presenting Made Easy
Presenters: Carrie Gartzke and Nathaniel Lentz Have you ever wondered how to become a presenter at a conference? With preparation, practice, and guidance, ANYONE can master the art of being a presenter! Hear from self-advocates on how to craft your message, use visual aids & prepare.
Click Here for Session Materials
Or Dial in: 669 444 9171
Meeting ID: 893 9849 9573
Session 39: Your Vote, Your Voice
Presenters: Jordan Anderson and Jenny Neugart
Voting is a powerful way to make your voice heard. This session will talk about the importance of voting, what your voting rights are and how to become an informed voter. You will also share your story by making a voter spotlight.
Or Dial In: (669) 444-9171
Meeting ID: 811 1059 0199
Click Here for Session Materials
Click Here for Session Materials
Session 40: YouTube Channel Story Studio
Not available virtually
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Wrap up Video and Door Prizes
If there are technical difficulties with the Zoom link, enter in the Meeting ID listed in each session.
or Dial In (669) 254-5252
Meeting ID 161 908 2943