2026 SARTAC Zoom Meetings
Many valuable resources have been shared during SARTAC's weekly online Zoom meetings. Below you will find links to the presentations, videos, guides and more.
February 26, 2026 - Disability and Domestic Violence
Getting Help and Support
February 19, 2026 - Talking To The News
These slides include tips on how to get ready for
and do an interview with a news reporter
February 12, 2026 - Making Friends, Finding Love, Staying SAFE on Online
These slides are about how to meet people safely online. You will learn how to spot scams, protect your private information, and stay safe if you decide to meet someone in person. The training shares simple tips to help you feel more confident and safe when connecting with people online.
February 5, 2026 - People with Disabilities in Movies, TV and Video Games
This webinar talks about why it is important to see disabled people in movies, TV shows, and video games. Media helps shape how people think about disability. Many people with disabilities live in our communities, but they are not shown very often in media. When they are shown, the stories are sometimes not realistic or respectful
January 29, 2026 - Mental Health and Stress
This session focuses on understanding stress and strong emotions,
and gives strategies people can use to manage and calm themselves.
January 22, 2026 -Budget Cuts
What is really going on with the upcoming
Budget cuts.
January 15, 2026 - Guardianship
Why Guardianship Should be the Last Resort.
Alternatives to Guardianship
January 8, 2026 - Talking About Dream Jobs
SARTAC shared 3 videos about people with disabilities working.We discussed the differences between having a "regular" job and having your "dream" job
December 11, 2025 - How to Keep Self-Advocacy Groups Going
The discussion covered various approaches to increase membership, including social media engagement, community outreach, and collaboration with service providers, while addressing challenges like maintaining participation and inclusivity across different generations
December 4, 2025 - Employment and Benefits
The main focus of this session was on Social Security benefits and employment for people with disabilities, including detailed explanations of SSI and SSDI programs, work incentives, and ABLE accounts.
November 20, 2025 - Doctors + Nurses Knowing How to Talk to People With Disabilities
SARTAC explored challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when accessing healthcare, sharing personal experiences and discussing strategies for effective medical appointments. The conversation ended with a discussion on improving medical training and communication for healthcare professionals.
November 13, 2025 - Red Cross and Disaster Preparedness
The main focus of this SARTAC meeting was emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. Presenters shared practical tips about how to plan ahead, stay safe, and handle stress during emergencies.
Participants then met in small groups to talk about their concerns, ask questions, and share ideas about upcoming events. When everyone came back together, each group shared why emergency preparedness matters to them and their communities.
November 6, 2025 - How to Get Young People Involved in Self-Advocacy
The meeting focused on a self-advocacy project that teaches high school students with disabilities to speak up for their rights. We talked about ways to engage youth in advocacy and how to work through challenges, including concerns about parent involvement. We discussed strategies for leading youth-led conversations, creating welcoming and inclusive spaces, and building self-advocacy skills through interactive activities and leadership opportunities.
October 30, 2025 - What is Autism?
The meeting focused on autism, including what it is, how it is diagnosed, and common myths and misunderstandings. Presenters shared both facts and personal experiences about living with autism.
The group also talked about how society views disability, how autism has been understood over time, and why it is important to respect, understand, and support people with autism.
October 23, 2025 - Know Your Rights! Speak Up!
In this fun and powerful video created by Green Mountain Self-Advocates, self-advocates share stories that bring 12 HCBS rights to life. Each scene shows what it looks like when someone isn’t getting their right — and how, with the help of a Super Self-Advocate Superhero, they speak up and make things right. This video was written by self-advocates to help people understand their rights, speak up for themselves, and live the lives they choose.
October 16, 2025 - How the Printed Word Becomes a Small Business
Presenter: Connie Cyndi Chu, SARTAC Fellow
Guest speaker Connie Cyndi Chu shared how she created a writing class for people with disabilities and turned it into a published anthology. She talked about the steps involved in writing, editing, and self-publishing a book. The session ended with a question-and-answer time, where she offered practical tips and encouragement to aspiring writers.
October 9, 2025 - “From Head Down to Chin Up” by Ashley Mathy
Presenter: Ashley Mathy, SARTAC Fellow
Ashley wrote a book about how she dealt with bullying and moving forward.
She made videos about being an author and her project.
September 25, 2025 - Starting and Owning Your Own Business
This session shares many examples of people with intellectual disabilities owning their own businesses.
September 18, 2025 - Falling Through the Cracks
This session provided opportunities for small group discussion about what it means to fall through the cracks. People shared success stories of speaking up and getting what they needed.
September 11, 2025 - Update on Marriage Penalty
If two people who are on SSI get married, then they get 25% less in benefits than what they did as single people.
August 28, 2025 - Importance of DD Councils, P&As, UCEDDs
August 21, 2025 - Bullying
The group explored various forms of bullying and harassment, shared personal stories, and discussed the importance of awareness, reporting mechanisms, and advocacy for preventing bullying and violence.
August 14, 2025 - What are Waitlists?
August 7, 2025 - What is a Good Leader?
August 4, 2025 - Easy Read Icons
July 31, 2025 - Lived Experience
July 28, 2025 - Writing Easy Read Content
July 23, 2025 - Plain Language for Self-Advocates
July 17, 2025 - 3 Branches of the US Government
Click to review the slides used for this session
July 10, 2025 - Using Our Personal Stories To Connect With Others
July 3, 2025 - How to make a policy and procedures manual
June 26, 2025 - How I Use Enabling Technology
These slides were made by Katie Moore.
Katie is a My Tech for All co-trainer for Colorado and Tennessee and North Dakota
Here is her Youtube channel @journeyadvocacy2025
June 23, 2025 - Overview of Accessible Formats
A Webinar for Government and Non-Profits Agencies. Why write in accessible formats? What's the difference between plain language and Easy Read? What principles should everyone follow when writing in an accessible way? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this brief introductory webinar, with time for questions and answers.
June 19, 2025 - Budgeting and Finance
The group talked in detail about how to make and follow a budget. They shared personal experiences with money and gave tips for handling expenses. This included talking about credit cards, debit cards, and other money tools..
June 12, 2025 - Autism
Autism is a developmental disability.
It affects how we think, feel, communicate, and experience the world.
Autism is a natural part of being human.
Autistic people are important members of our communities.
June 5, 2025 - Dealing with Emotions
Do people with intellectual disabilities have the right to feel
and show emotions just like everyone else?
Yes—of course we do!
May 29, 2025 - Setting Boundaries at Work
We shared training information from Building Healthy Relationships at Work
https://www.elevatustraining.com/workshops-and-products/curriculum-build-healthy-relationships/
May 22, 2025 - Disability Justice Movement
We shared videos to use as teaching tools about the Disability Movement
SARTAC History of Disability Justice Movement May 22 2025.pptx
May 15, 2025 - Bringing on Board New Self-Advocates
We shared ways to find and welcome new members
May 8, 2025 - Tips on How to Make Our Stories More Accessible
We shared ways to make your story easy to understand.
Find out how you can speak in a way that helps you connect with others
April 2025 - Our Zoom Community spent 3 weeks working on our 6-month schedule
We met in small groups and brainstormed discussion topics.
Next, we voted on topics.
Self-Advocate leaders from across the country signed up to present on topics selected by our self-advocacy community
Click here for the schedule and the names of people presenting
April 3, 2025 - Emotional Regulation and Coping
Guest Speaker: Tyrome Launderville serves on the National Steering Committee for the Link Center, which works to improve the lives of people with I/DD and mental health needs. Tyrome’s message to others is simple: “Never give up!”
GMSA presented basic information on emotional regulation. Tyrome shared his personal experiences and coping mechanisms for managing emotions and crises.
March 20, 2025 - What Is Self-Direction?
Self-direction is a way to get support services at home where you are in charge.
Self-direction is different from getting services through an agency.
March 13, 2025 - Let Go of Negative Thoughts & Focus on the Positive
When negative thoughts stick around too long, they can cause stress,
worry, or sadness. The good news? You can change them!
March 6, 2025 - A Few HCBS Teaching Tools
When You Get Services, Make Sure You Get What You Need
February 27, 2025 - Smart Home Technology
Presentation by Courtney Hineman, Community Outreach Advocate
for Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Click here for the slides used for this session
February 20, 2025 - Tips to Stay Safe in Winter Weather
Tips on how to dress to keep warm and keep your home warm.
Links to a video on how to recognize and treat frostbite.
February 13, 2025 - Talking to your Doctor
Talking with your doctor is important because they help you stay healthy. Make sure to ask questions and tell them how you feel so they can take good care of you. This resource gives you tips about what to do before, during and after a medical appointment.
January 30, 2025 - Meeting with your legislator
Action Circles helps people with disabilities and their families learn how to share stories about their lives. Here are simple tips for meeting with your legislator. This advice was adapted by Green Mountain Self-Advocates.
January 23, 2025 - Starting Your Own Business
Click here for the slides used for this session
A suggested resource is a book called
January 16, 2025 - History of the People with Developmental Disabilities Speaking for Ourselves
In the late 1960s, in Sweden, the first self-advocacy conference gave
people with disabilities a chance to talk about important
topics like job training, fair pay, and fun activities. This
idea spread to other countries quickly
January 9, 2025 - Dealing with Stress
Basic tips on how to handle stressful situations