AANE’s 2024 Virtual Jody Acford Conference Details

Becca Lory Hector, Director of Training

Speaker:  Melissa Houser, All Brains Belong

The average life expectancy for an Autistic person is 36-54 years, with premature cardiovascular disease and suicide as leading causes. The Autistic community has poor access to healthcare, and there is little to no medical education on the healthcare needs of Autistic adults. This session will review the literature on barriers to healthcare access for Autistic adults. We will also present a novel model for healthcare delivery, using universal design principles to provide neurodiversity-affirming patients across the lifespan. We will discuss lessons learned from the experience of providing healthcare for a community of Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent patients whose needs are unmet by the traditional healthcare system. We will also discuss strategies for Autistic people to be able to access the healthcare they need. https://allbrainsbelong.org/all-the-things

Thank you to our sponsors!

 For Autistics and other Neurodivergent individuals, one of the biggest barriers to financial inclusion is a lack of education that stresses the importance and the basic components of financial wellness in a way that addresses their unique needs. This presentation will cover the most common barriers to financial equity that adults who are autistic face and provide some practical solutions to address the unique and oftentimes fluctuating financial needs of this underserved population.

Speaker: Jessica Tuman, Voya Cares, Voya Financial has led the development of the Voya Cares program from the ground up into a strong brand that has been recognized by caregiver.com, Wealth Management magazine and Disability:IN. As the head of the Voya Cares and ESG Practice Centers of Excellence, Jessica oversees training development, thought leadership programming, market insights research, nonprofit relationship management, content development strategy, product and services development, sales strategy and support, and internal and external communications for the special needs community. She is a subject-matter expert, presenting nationally on a variety of topics from caregiving and special needs capacity planning to competitive integrated employment.

Host: Carole Jean Whittington from Whittington Well-Being

Carole Jean Whittington is a trailblazer in wellness, guiding individuals experiencing burnout to become Energy Masters. Author of “Unleashing Sustainable Energy” and host of “Beyond Chronic Burnout” podcast, she’s Chief Energy Officer at Whittington Well-Being. With her show reaching 93 countries, Carole Jean shares insights to bring energy into daily life. As an Energy Strategist, she employs The UnVeiling Method to unleash innovation, deep connection, and creativity. Passionate about energizing, restoring, and innovating, Carole Jean aims to create a thriving community of limitless possibilities.

Enjoy your lunch break with a live episode of the Beyond Chronic Burnout Podcast. Host Carole Jean Whittington shares a conversation about burnout and self-care tips. She will also field burnout related questions from attendees if time allows so stay connected to ask Carole your questions!

This presentation will help you understand the benefits and considerations of different housing and support options. It will also include explanations of various public assistance programs and where to find these resources in your state. This information can help you begin preparing and planning for your future home.

Speaker: Desiree Kameka Galloway is a recognized disability housing expert. She founded Neuro-Inclusive Housing Solutions and is the Director of the Autism Housing Network.  Having visited over 120 residential opportunities across the USA, and led a network of over 250 housing and/or support service organizations, Desiree uses this experience and network to help individuals and local leaders understand supportive housing options, service delivery models and strategies for neuro-inclusive community development. Desiree is also the proud co-author and co-editor of the groundbreaking report, A Place in the World: Fueling Housing and Community Options for Adults with Autism and Other Neurodiversities.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Panelists: Andrew Arboe, Michael Westwood, Dom Zullo

Join us for a panel of practical advice for Neurodivergent individuals on navigating transportation efficiently and safely. Panelists will discuss strategies for public transit, tips for reducing travel stress, and their favorite resources for navigating all kinds of transportation. Whether you’re a daily commuter or an occasional traveler, panelists will share insights to improve your transit experience.

Becca Lory Hector, Director of Training, AANE