Please join us for this pre-conference session on June 18th as part of the 2021 8th National Sibling Leadership Network Conference!
Register on our Conference main page!
9amPT/10am MT/11am CT/12pm ET
Understanding Parent, Sibling and Self-Advocate Perspectives
All of us, including people with disabilities, deserve the opportunity to practice self-determination and make our own choices. Research shows this is key to a true quality of life. Parents and siblings can be important partners by offering valuable insight into a person’s history, skills, interests, support needs and other important considerations. This panel discussion will feature an adult with a disability, a parent of a child with a disability and a sibling of a person with a disability. They will share how their life experiences shaped their perspectives on disability and family issues. Panelists will discuss how the self-advocate, parent and sibling perspectives can differ from each other and change over a person’s life. They will also share recommendations for those who work with people with disabilities and their families about how to understand, respect and balance these differing roles and perspectives.
- Jeniece Dortch, Founder & Executive Director of Special Needs Siblings
- Emma Shouse Garton, SLN Chapter Development Committee Co-Chair; TN Adult Brothers and Sisters chapter leader; TN Council on Developmental Disabilities Public Information Specialist
- Eric McVay, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) Board, Secretary; SLN Board, SABE representative