Each year, the TASH Conference brings together a diverse community of stakeholders who gain information, learn about resources, and connect with others across the country to strengthen the disability field. This year’s conference theme, “Be Creative - Innovative Solutions for an Inclusive Life,” reminds us to think outside the box during times of uncertainty. Creativity, innovation, and determination can pave the way for meaningful and inclusive lives for people with disabilities.
In this presentation, we will discuss the University Participant (UP) Program at Western Carolina University, a full-time, full inclusion program for college-age students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We will also discuss the BLuE Project [Bildung (Education), Lebenskompetenz (Life Competence), und (and) Empowerment], a fully inclusive program for students with IDD at Pädagogische Hochschule Salzburg in Salzburg, Austria that was developed to reflect the values and practices of the UP Program. Presenters will present a case study on how professional and personal collaboration led to the expansion of inclusion from the U.S. to Europe, demonstrating "Innovative Solutions for an Inclusive Life."
