Inclusion Connection

Join us June 19/20 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to help celebrate inclusion and create community.
Supporting One, Supporting All
Register Now: https://www.inclusionconnection.org/

Today's Featured Speaker

Tracy Thresher:

Tracy Thresher is an advocate for people with disabilities. Tracy began typing to communicate in 1990 and was one of the first individuals with autism at Washington County Mental Health Services (a community-based service provider) to be introduced to it. He has presented at local, statewide, and national workshops and conferences. He has consulted with local schools, is a member of the Vermont Statewide Communication Task Force and has worked for the Green Mountain Self-Advocates in Montpelier, VT. In VT, he mentors teenagers and adults. Tracy has worked at Syracuse University as a lead trainer and is now recognized as a Master Trainer.

Tracy support services are provided by Community Developmental Resources, a division of Washington County Mental Health Services based in Barre, VT. For over 50 years, Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS) has worked to serve the community through education, support, and treatment of individuals who live with mental health challenges, substance use issues, or developmental/intellectual disabilities. The mission of
WCMHS is to advocate for the inclusion of all persons into our community and actively encourage Self-Determination, Resilience and Recovery.

Tracy now works as a peer mentor with the Communication Training & Resources, a program within Community Developmental Services of WCMHS. This program works to ensure that individuals with complex communication needs are able to communicate in their method of choice and have the support, training, and technology to: be fully included, gain respect of others, demonstrate competence, educate others of their communication competency, develop independence, have quality of life, and find purpose in life.

Tracy is a native Vermonter who lives and works in Vermont. He has presented at local, statewide and national workshops and conferences. Tracy and his friend Larry travel the world promoting their documentary Wretches & Jabberers https://www.wretchesandjabberers.org/about/ , in an effort to change the worlds' view of disability to one of positivity.

https://youtu.be/5IOGOE_qQfM

Check out this video from our keynote speaker at this years' Inclusion Connection Annual Conference- 'Supporting One, Supporting All!' !!!!
We cannot wait to experience her powerful message in person!!

Inclusion is not Assimilation: Understanding communities of identity and diversity The concept of inclusion has evolved significantly in education, moving beyond mere physical presence in classrooms to encompass a deeper understanding of be...