AT-TIES Together 2025

SAVE THE DATE

April 7-8, 2025

Focus on Access

Regional and Statewide Services for Students with Orthopedic Impairment (RSOI) and Oregon Technology Access Program (OTAP) are thrilled to announce the sixth annual AT-TIES Together Conference. This conference brings together Oregon's Therapists in Educational Settings (TIES) with Assistive Technology teams, administrators, teachers and families for two days of professional development. Oregon's focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion begins with access to the environment and to curriculum for ALL learners. Conference sessions highlight access across the lifespan, with a focus on inclusion and developing student choice and voice.

Featuring...

✨2024 IFIP Global Inclusion Award Winner✨

Allison Posey

photo of Allison, woman smiling, shoulder length light brown hair, black blouse and black denim jacket against an outdoor, winter background

Allison Posey is an international leader for inclusive practices through implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). She works at CAST, where she collaborates to apply current understanding from brain research into innovative, equitable instructional practices. She taught a range of science courses in high school and community colleges, such as biology, genetics, anatomy, and psychology and she still teaches at Lasell University.

Allison earned a degree in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, is author of two books, Engage the Brain (ASCD, 2018) and Unlearning (CAST Publishing, 2020). She lives just outside of Boston, is an avid hiker, and loves being a mom.

Check her out at https://www.allisonposey.com.

Allison will be joining us for two days of intense UDL discussion. Discover how neuroscience and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can help educators design emotionally engaging, inclusive lessons that meet the needs of all learners by reducing barriers and fostering participation.

Dr. Connie Johnson

Photo of Conni, Smilling, wearing a black and white patterned blouse, with brown, layered, shoulder length hair

Dr. Connie Johnson is a school based physical therapist and LEND faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is ABPTS Board Certified, DC LEND trainee who received her MSPT from Springfield College and DScPT from University of Maryland. She’s an advocate to eliminate health and opportunity disparities to achieve employment for youth with disabilities. She has published in peer reviewed journals on transition, fitness of youth with disabilities, case studies on work capacity evaluation in transition and Use of the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. She is an active member of the Academy of PediatricPhysical Therapy as co-chair of the Practice Development Committee and a member of the school and AADA SIGs as well as APTA Academy for Leadership and Innovation. She is the creator of Fit4Work.

Dr. Varleisha Lyons (Gibbs)

Photo of Dr. Varleisha Gibbs-Lyons, smiling, with long, dark brown braids and a yellow sleeveless blouse

Varleisha D. Lyons (formerly Gibbs), PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS, is an occupational therapist and author with over 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing disorders and neurological disorders. She developed and founded Delaware’s first occupational therapy program and became the first black indigenous American woman to serve as the Scientific Programs Officer at the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. Currently, she is the Vice President of Diversity Equity Inclusion Justice Access and Belonging at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Varleisha continues to lecture and provides training on sensory processing strategies and self-regulation to practitioners, parents, and teachers throughout the country and internationally. As co-author of Raising Kids with Sensory Processing Disorders, she has provided families with strategies to understand and care for their children. Dr. Lyons is the developer of the Self-Regulation and Mindfulness program and author of the best-selling book, Self-Regulation and Mindfulness: Exercises and Worksheets for Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (PESI Publishing & Media). She is the co-author of Trauma Treatment in ACTION: Over 85 Activities to Move Clients Toward Healing, Growth and Improved Functioning (PESI Publishing & Media). Her areas of expertise include neuroanatomy, self-regulation strategies across the lifespan, health inequities, and trauma responsive approaches.