DFWAE January Webinar: Including DFWAE Members and Employees with Disabilities

The purpose of the panel is to explore the meaning of inclusion of persons with disabilities across DFWAE membership. Important constructs for organizations are the extent to which information and resources are accessible and how services can be provided with inclusive communities as the goal.  Since DFWAE members are also employers, this session will include a discussion of employment of persons with disabilities and strategies to reduce ableism and support employees in the workplace. 

Date & Time: January 19, 2021, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speakers: Beth Stalvey, MPH, PhD, Lauren Gerken, MA, Erin Fogarty, MS, CTRS
CAE: Domain 2
Registration: $15 Members, $35 Nonmembers

Register Here!

Beth Stalvey, MPH, PhD, Executive Director Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
Beth Stalvey has dedicated more than 25 years to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities and older adults. She has worked in public policy roles for the Texas state unit on aging, the Texas state developmental disability agency, and the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. She served as the director of an aging and disability policy consultant firm that worked with government, non-profit, private, and grassroots community-based entities on initiatives related to legislative education and strengthening local support and inclusion for individuals with disabilities and their families. In this role, she supported the DD Network and its partners in multiple states until her selection as the Executive Director of the Texas DD Council in 2015. Stalvey received both her master’s degree and PhD in Public Health.

Lauren Gerken, MA, Public Policy Analyst, Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
Lauren Gerken is proud to be the point person for employment-related policy at TCDD. Since her time as a Policy Fellow at The Arc of Texas, Lauren has been committed to expanding competitive, integrated employment opportunities for Texans with disabilities. In addition to her work at TCDD, Lauren sits on the Board of Directors for the Texas chapter of the Association of People Supporting Employment First where she serves as their Public Policy Committee Chair. She is also currently studying for her doctorate in Adult, Professional, and Community Education with a research focus on professional and community development opportunities for adults with disabilities.

Erin Fogarty, MS CTRS, North Texas Regional Coordinator, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
As Regional Coordinator for North Texas, Erin Fogarty collaborates with local organizations, participates in community events, and connects with people with disabilities and their families. Erin has worked in clinical and community settings as a recreational therapist and wellness program manager. She has supported children and adults with chronic health conditions and disabilities in their goals to improve their health, community inclusion, and quality of life; and has worked to reduce health disparities for people with disabilities. Before joining TCDD, she was the Community Alignment Coordinator for My Health My Resources (MHMR) of Tarrant County. Erin is based in the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (AgriLife) campus in Dallas.