Professional Development Resolutions?

Did you make a new years resolution to improve your practice as a teacher?  Or maybe you need CEUs?  Or you might just love going to conferences?  Here is a list of some places to find professional development for those who teach individuals with severe or multiple disabilities.

• American Speech and Hearing Association
• National Conference held in November at rotating sites
• other conference held year round in different locations and online
• Assistive Technology Industry Conference 
• National Conferences in Chicago in October and Orlando in January
• online webinars available
• Council for Exceptional Children - CEC
• National conference held in April at rotating sites
• variety of online courses available
• C-SUN
• large assistive technology conference
• held yearly in March in San Diego
• Closing the Gap  
• National assistive technology conference held in October in Minneapolis
• International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication - ISAAC
• conference held yearly in July/August in varying countries/locations
• (2011 will be in Philedephia)
• Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities
• International conference held yearly in Honolulu, HI
• TASH 
• National Conference held in December 
• Also see their webinars

The following agencies may offer local conferences or courses:

• Easter Seals
• United Cerebral Palsy
• ARC
• Centers for Independent Living

Other places to find professional development:

• local children's hospitals
• local universities
• disability specific organizations (Down Syndrome Congress, Rett Syndrome Foundation, etc)
• special education agencies (collaboratives, intermediate units, BOCES, etc) and schools
• state department of education or disabilities