About SOTA 2022 | Taishoff Center

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A Decade of Progress at State of the Art: Exploring the next frontier of Inclusive Higher Education

The State of the Art Conference (SOTA) provides provides opportunities for colleges, universities, researchers, program staff, parents and self-advocates to learn about the current state of research and practice in the field of inclusive postsecondary/higher education, and to network with each other. Conference speakers include faculty and staff from postsecondary education initiatives, parents, self-advocates, and other experts—sharing effective practices and leading group discussions. The 2022 conference is themed around A Decade of Progress at State of the Art: Exploring the next frontier of Inclusive Higher Education.

Registration Options

General Attendees: $450* (early bird rate of $400 until August 15)
Executive Committee, Presenters & Reviewers: $350
Students and Graduate Students for SOTA and the Student Leadership Conference: $50
The Student Leadership Conference is for future and current college students and costs $50 for both days.
October 18 College Fair (October 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m.): Free for students and families, $50 for Exhibitors
Registration for the Student Leadership Conference is required to attend the college fair.
New this year! Pre-conference CBI on IPSE State and Regional Alliances (October 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.): $25
The Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network, in partnership with the State of the Art Conference, will host a pre-conference capacity building institute (CBI) on Tuesday October 18th about the development and expansion of state and regional alliances. Those interested in creating, building, or strengthening their state alliances as well as those interested in being involved in future regional alliances are invited to join us! Learn more (pdf)

Registration scholarships are available for students and family members. Contact kgrifasi@syr.edu to request an application.

Conference Information

Interested in becoming a sponsor State of the Art or Student Leadership Conference? Contact conference manager Karly Grifasi at kgrifasi@syr.edu.

Travel and Hotels

The 2022 State of the Art Conference will be at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center in Syracuse, NY. A discounted hotel room group rate is available for attendees.

Conference Strands

Items listed under each themes are suggestion for proposals and possible topics of conference sessions, but are not meant to be a complete list.

Academic

Effective inclusion strategies
Universal design for learning
Use of technology
Language and literacy
Academic support strategies
Faculty development
Measuring satisfactory academic progress in all areas
Developing Individual Learning Plans for students taking catalogue courses
Study abroad
Virtual learning

Campus Life

Strategies and support for social inclusion
Supports in developing social competence
Peer mentors and social networking
Sports and recreation
Friendships and lasting relationships
Self-advocacy/self-disclosure/disability identity
Health and wellness
Residential life

Independent Living

Supporting the development of independent living skills in inclusive ways
Promoting self-determination and student involvement
Technology supports
Transportation access
Use of residence life in independent living skill development
Relationship development

Employment

Student internships/apprenticeships
Supports for employers and student employees
College to work transition/ Career planning
Service learning
Employment longevity
Developing portfolios and resumes
Job search/ job development
Collaboration with college career services, employment service agencies, VR, and other adult agencies
Building relationships with the business community
WIOA and Pre-ETS

Program Development and Evaluation

Funding for students and programs and fiscal sustainability strategies
Person-centered planning
Recruitment
Strategies for initiating and expanding high quality inclusive programs
Program accreditation
Developing meaningful student credentials
Residential and housing options
Comprehensive Transition Programs – applying, financial aid access
Internal and external collaborative partnerships
Developing and funding supports for residence life/housing

Policy and Systems Change

Building state-wide and national coalitions
Developing federal and state policy and legislation to provide support and funding
Developing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) among agencies
The role of national associations/organizations
Systems change as relates to funding
Promotion of change within a university or college
Affecting positive attitude change at every level

Family

Strategies for family engagement and communication
Supported decision making
Student leadership and disability advocacy
Circles of support
Family/ Self-advocate planning for transition after college
Supporting student relationships at college (dating, friends, etc.)
Understanding employment (job processes, ADA rights, etc.)
Student finances (meal plans, financing program/mentors, transportation)
Wellness (mental health, illness while at college, nutrition)
Application for IPSE

Research and Evaluation

Evidence-based practice
Participatory research involving IHE faculty, program staff, students and family members
Evaluation methods and results
Student progress and outcome measurements
Establishing standards of quality
Changes across the institution (institutional, administrative or organizational processes) as a result of the PSE program
Descriptions and empirical evidence related to changes for students without disabilities and/or faculty (attitudes, awareness, skill, and pedagogy)
Changes in relationships with community organizations, human services, and businesses

Transition to College

Strategies for preparing students for Inclusive PSE
Supporting parents during the transition
How parents can support preparation for college
IEP implementation in dual enrollment programs
Access to the general curriculum and universal design for learning
Professional development for general and special education staff, school counselors, administrators, etc.
Promoting self-determination and student involvement
Family support/family involvement

Executive Planning Committee

The members of our Executive Planning Committee oversee conference planning, agenda structure, keynote selection and leadership award application review.

Katie Ducett, Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education
Micah Fialka-Feldman, Outreach Coordinator of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
Grace L. Francis, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Special Education at George Mason University
Karly Grifasi, Assistant Director of Operations and Communications, Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
Linn Jorgenson, Director of Disability Services at George Mason University
Christi Kasa, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Inclusive Services, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Stephanie Smith Lee, Past Chair of the Think College Accreditation Workgroup, and Senior Policy Advisor, National Down Syndrome Congress
Dr. Linda Mason, Director of the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities at George Mason University
Dr. Beth Myers, Executive Director of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
Denise Rozell, Director of Policy Innovation at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Sara Jo Soldovieri, Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University
Cate Weir, Project Coordinator at the Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts, Boston
K. Ryan Wennerlind, Director of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders/Project F.O.C.U.S program at University of Nevada, Las Vegas