Training

This four-session live virtual training focuses on Person-Centered Planning tools and strategies that support student-led IEPs. Attendees explore practical ways to center student voice, build self-advocacy skills, and collaborate with educators and teams so IEPs become meaningful, student-driven conversations rather than compliance-focused meetings.

The Skills Empowerment and Advocacy Training (SEAT) is a training series developed and led by individuals with developmental disabilities to prepare others to serve on boards, work groups, advisory councils, and commissions. This advocacy training will include tips and tricks for public speaking and effective advocacy. 

This training will support your learning and provide you with tools to take your rightful seat at the tables where decisions are made. As the true meaning of Nothing About Us Without Us indicates, being a part of decisions made at the local, state, and national level is vital. SEAT will provide training and tips to help you feel prepared to make sure that your contribution is included where decisions are made. 

Session Descriptions 

March 6th with Eric Matthes (He/Him)  

SEAT at the Table: Your Journey Starts Here 

Join Eric Matthes as he shares personal and professional tips and skills needed to serve on boards and committees. Eric will take you through his own journey of learning and serving. At the end of this presentation, you are going to feel empowered and excited about what your journey will be! 

March 13th with Daman Wandke  

SEAT at the Table: Board Service on Your Terms 

This session is about helping you decide if board service is right for you, and how to navigate it on your terms. Board service is not about proving your worth; it’s about exercising it. Nothing About Us Without Us is a model of the disability community; in this session we are going to talk about how you can have a voice on the board. 

March 20th with Taylor Crisp (She/Her)

SEAT at the Table: How Boards Work and How to Participate 

In this session, Taylor Crisp will share valuable information about how to effectively serve on a board. From understanding and using the agenda, minutes, and budget, to making motions and voting, this session will provide tips that you can use in your own service on boards, workgroups, and committees. 

March 27th: Panel with Tammy Bowen – Advocacy Support Specialist, Lizzy Johnston (She/They) Advocate/Board Member, Joey Wilson  (He/Him)- Advocate, Danna Summers ( ) – Parent and Council Lead 

SEAT at the Table: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What Comes Next 

 In our final session, you will have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of our panelists as they have a candid panel discussion about what has worked, and what hasn’t worked in their service on boards, workgroups, and committees, including what you can learn from them to move forward into your next opportunities to serve. 

Start strong with the Wise Online Academy (WOA) 100 Series ACRE, an essential, on-demand training built around the core competencies of Customized Employment. Designed for professionals who are new to the field or seeking to sharpen their skills, this course delivers practical tools and real-world strategies you can use immediately to improve employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

It is designed for people working in the field of vocational services for people with disabilities, including Employment Specialists, Job Coaches, Job Developers, Vocational Specialists and others.

The training series consists of self-paced online training content:

• Course 1: Introduction to Customized Employment, Discovery & Person-Centered Planning
• Course 2: Introduction to Job Development & Marketing
• Course 3: Systematic Instruction: Teaching, Learning, & Retaining Jobs
• Course 4: How Public Benefits support Employment: Social Security Benefits & Work Incentives

This online, instructor-led course helps educators and employment specialists support students and job seekers in building a website portfolio to showcase their strengths, skills, and talents. Attendees will learn practical digital tools to boost digital literacy, support career exploration, and guide people in sharing their story with potential employers. This course is for transition educators, job developers, and others who want to strengthen their technology skills and support career planning in a creative, empowering way. Website portfolios offer a dynamic and accessible tool for job seekers to present their abilities and build confidence in their career journey.

Plan to Placement integrates Person-Centered Planning with job development, providing attendees with essential tools for successful job placement. This course bridges a long-standing gap between planning and employment outcomes by guiding attendees through a full employment path—from discovery to placement—using Person-Centered Employment Planning tools. Attendees work directly with job seekers from their caseloads and receive practical guidance throughout the course to align their strategies with each individual’s unique strengths, interests, and conditions for success.