Aja McKee, Litzy Ruiz, and Audri Gomez at TASH Conference


From Left to Right: Aja McKee, Litzy Ruiz, and Audri Gomez at TASH Conferenc


Ph.D. student Aja McKee, Audri Gomez, and Litzy Ruiz blog about their experience at the TASH conference (The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps) in Chicago, Illinois


Presenting at the TASH Conference in Chicago, Illinois was an experience which contributed to our ever growing body of knowledge in the field of disability studies in education. Meeting individuals with disabilities and getting to know their personal experiences, as well as their advocacy goals in the area of disability studies provides us with an increased level of involvement in our field. We met individuals who shared their personal stories, which included school district and family team work difficulties throughout the educational process, to difficulty retaining access to housing in higher education institutions.

Two women standing next to presentation board.


From Left to Right: Aja McKee and Audri Gomez present at the TASH Conference



We also met and collaborated with like-minded professionals working within the world of disabilities studies and special education. The experience of attending and presenting at conferences such as TASH embodies the reason we are here working on our PhD at Chapman University. We believe in changing education, and changing the world.