Conference on disAbility to be Virtual this Year
Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal behaviorist and autism spokesperson, will be the keynote speaker at the 19th Annual U.S. Conference on disAbility at The University of Scranton, which will be held in a virtual format on Oct. 6. The conference, “Exploring Autism Across the Spectrum: Building Inclusive Communities,” is open to the public free of charge. Registration is required to attend the conference.Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal behaviorist and autism spokesperson, will be the keynote speaker at the 19th Annual U.S. Conference on disAbility at The University of Scranton, which will be held in a virtual format on Oct. 6. The conference, “Exploring Autism Across the Spectrum: Building Inclusive Communities,” is open to the public free of charge. Registration is required to attend the conference.
Born in 1947, Dr. Grandin was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. At the time, autism was considered a form of brain injury. Her parents worked tirelessly to secure the best possible care and instruction for their daughter. Still, social interactions were difficult for Grandin through middle and high school.
Dr. Grandin persevered, going on to earn a degree in psychology from Franklin Pierce College, a master's degree in animal science from Arizona State University and a doctoral degree in animal science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She first spoke publicly about autism in the 1980’s, and has since become an autism advocate, worldwide.
Dr. Grandin is widely known and respected for her work regarding animal welfare, neurology and philosophy, and has authored best-selling books and articles on this subject. She has received several honorary degrees, is a fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and has been featured in television and radio shows. In 2010, HBO released the film Temple Grandin, which won five Emmy Awards.
Chris Banks, chief executive officer and president as of the Autism Society of America, and Jose Velasco, vice president of Product Management at SAP and SAP Autism at Work program, will also deliver keynote addresses. The conference will also feature professional and family track sessions and a virtual vendor expo.
The conference, which will feature a number of live and pre-recorded speakers, is presented by the Panuska College of Professional Studies and the Edward R. Leahy, Jr. Endowment in partnership with AllOne Foundation. Registration is required to attend and capacity is limited. Click here to register.
Additional information is available online or by contacting the conference co-chairs Rebecca Spirito Dalgin, Ph.D., director of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program, at rebecca.dalgin@scranton.edu; or Lori Bruch, Ed.D., chair of the Counseling and Human Services Department, at lori.bruch@scranton.edu.
