The Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series is a community and continuing education program provided for Division of Developmental Disabilities staff, community provider agencies, people with disabilities, and family members to enhance their knowledge and skills in innovative approaches and state of the art practices for people with developmental disabilities.

Eight sessions of the Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series are held each year, four in the Fall, and four in the Spring. Nationally known speakers with expertise in their field serve as faculty for the program, each conducting a morning presentation and providing technical assistance in an afternoon forum. Over 1,500 people attend the Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series each year.

See the descriptions for current sessions and registration information below.

Read what families and self-advocates have to say about the DD Lecture Series

View list of the past 200 Sessions of the DD Lecture Series

View CD order form for audio recordings of the DD Lecture Series

Fall 2009 Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series

Mental Health Needs in People with Developmental Disabilities

Anne Hurley, PhD
Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Wellesley, MA

Individuals with developmental disabilities experience the full range of psychiatric disorders seen in the general population. However, they often have significant limitations in verbally communicating their coping difficulties to families, support staff, and mental health professionals. As a result, this population is often undiagnosed and untreated for mental health problems. It is essential that those working with individuals with developmental disabilities are able to recognize mental health conditions and arrange for appropriate treatment supports. In this presentation, Dr. Hurley will discuss assessment, symptoms, treatment, and daily support interventions for depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders in people with developmental disabilities.

Employment and the New World

Karen Flippo, MA
Training Manager, Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA

It’s not possible to accurately predict the picture of employment over the next year and this is particularly true regarding employment for people with disabilities. The economic sands are shifting and employers are reinventing their products and services, seeking to maintain relevance and a competitive edge. When we emerge from the recession, the world of work will be profoundly different. Karen Flippo will take us on a journey of possibilities, opportunities, and challenges; and explain why there is no time like the present to charge forward with our employment policies, services, and supports. Economic trends and actions that can be taken immediately to positively impact employment of people with developmental disabilities will be discussed.

Sharing Lives that Matter

Jeffrey Strully, MA
Executive Director, Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc., Mission Hills, CA

Life sharing allows people with and without disabilities to share their lives with one another, become integral members of the community, develop positive relationships and friendships, and become true citizens. It has been Jay Nolan Community Services’ experience that community members are interested in sharing their lives with people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities in a variety of roles including life-sharing, housemate, friend, and service provider. This presentation will discuss lessons learned and provide strategies for supporting people in life sharing arrangements including recruitment, retention, and financing.

Lives of Distinction: Keys to Co-creating Community Membership and Contribution in the Lives of People with Disabilities

Beth Mount, PhD
President, Graphic Futures and Capacity Works, New York, NY

Lives of Distinction puts forth the vision that every person with a disability has a distinctive contribution to make to the world. This session explores the critical investments of agency management that empower Direct Support Professionals to be co-generators of possibilities for engagement and contribution to community life in partnership with people with disabilities. Dr. Mount will share the inspiring ways that DSPs are making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities, bringing meaning, dignity, and honor to the work and the people involved.

Registration Details

Fee information: Free of charge. Registration is required and space is limited.

Continuing Education Available: ASWB, CRCC, CCMC, DDNA, NJDOE. View Continuing Education details

Registration:

View the Fall 2009 DDLS registration brochure

Register online now

Please note: Submission of the online form is not a confirmation of registration. Submission of the online registration form sends an email request to The Boggs Center. When your form is received, Boggs Center
staff will register you for the sessions requested, based on space availability. You will receive a confirmation letter listing the sessions for which you are registered, and if full, the sessions for which you are on the waiting list. If you do not receive a letter, please call The Boggs Center at 732-235-9307.

For more information: Please email Carole Ramirez or call (732) 235-9307.

Save These Dates

Spring 2010 Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series

Fall 2010 Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series

Project Coordinator: Robyn Carroll
Program Staff: Ziba Arjmand, Wendy Kuziemski
Project Support Staff: Gail DiPane, Carole Ramirez