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.
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
October 9, 2025 - “From Head Down to Chin Up” by Ashley Mathy
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