Jodie Agnew-Navarro

Cal-TASH President/Special Education Teacher

I have been an early childhood special education teacher at CHIME Insitute for 25 years. I am the mother two amazing adult children, my son has autism. I am honored to be the President of Cal-TASH.

Nico Navarro

Awesome All-Star

I am a 21 year old man that has autism and is non-speaking. I am a high school graduate who was fully included throughout my education. I am an author, blogger and advocate.

Caitlin (Caty) Solone

Cal-TASH Board Member

Caitlin (Caty) Solone, PhD., is a Cal-TASH board member and the Academic Administrator for Disability Studies at UCLA where she teaches courses, develops curriculum, conducts research, and engages in programming for UCLA's Disability Inclusion Labs. Caty also works as an educational consultant serving families, school sites, and districts predominantly around IEPs, LRE and advancement toward inclusive practices. Caty earned her PhD from UCLA and Cal State LA’s Joint Doctoral Program in Special Education. Prior to returning to school for her doctorate, Caty was a special education teacher for eight years at WISH Charter Elementary School, an inclusive public school in Los Angeles. In her free time, Caty enjoys spending time with her partner, puppies, friends and family; attending festivals and concerts; hiking; traveling; going to the beach; meditation; energy work; and engaging in all things metaphysical.

Karen F

CalTASH Board Member

Karen Ford Cull is a board member of Caltash and Include CA. She advocates for inclusion as a volunteer, while supporting families professionally, and as a Content Specialist for Undivided. She has an 18-year-old son with Down syndrome.

Joseph Donofrio

Director

Director

Zachary Miller

Vice President of Cal Tash

I have an active advocate for over 15 years Ive been in legislative events. Ive been on my boards like Alta CAC Planning team for Self Advocacy Conference and Supported Life Conference. Ive been involved with Tash and Cal tash for five years I am currently the Vice President of Cal Tash

Tia Nelis

Keynote Speaker (Friday)

Tia Nelis is the Director of Policy & Advocacy for TASH. Prior to her position at TASH, Tia served as the Self-Advocacy Specialist at the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center within the Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago. She is a past chairperson of the National Organization of Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered. She founded and successfully promoted People First of Illinois, where she served as president. Tia, a long-time member of TASH, has received the Burton Blatt Award, awarded by the Illinois TASH chapter, as well as the Elizabeth Boggs award from the President’s Committee. Tia has drawn on experiences relating to her own disability in promoting and demonstrating the benefits of empowerment for people with disabilities. She has wide experience in conducting training and advocating for progressive polices with legislators and public officials.

Diane Ryndak

Keynote Speaker (Saturday)

Diane Ryndak, Ph.D., is Professor of Special Education in the Department of Specialized Education Services at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Principal Investigator on an OSEP Leadership Development Grant (Project LEAPS). She had been the Principal Investigator on a sub-contract for The TIES National Technical Assistance Center on Inclusive Practices and Policies, and Co-Principal Investigator on an IES Research Project studying the impact of malleable factors on long-term outcomes for students with significant disabilities. Previously she was a Professor at the University of Florida for 19 years, and Chair of the Department of Specialized Education Services at UNCG. Her work focuses on teacher and doctoral level preparation, with a focus on collaborative teams meeting the complex needs of students with extensive and pervasive support needs (e.g., severe cognitive impairments; autism; multiple disabilities) through the use of evidence-based practices that result in access to grade-level general education curriculum, contexts, instruction, and classmates. Additionally, she works with state departments of education and school districts to facilitate sustainable systemic reform, multi-tiered systems of support, and specially-designed instruction in general education contexts to improve outcomes for all students. She has served multiple terms on the Executive Board for TASH; is on editorial boards for several professional journals; and has completed Fulbright Research related to inclusive education in Poland, where she continues to work with colleagues at universities and in the schools.

Toby Bazan

Presenter

Toby Bazan was incarcerated in a Developmental Center at age 15 for over thirteen years, and was emancipated in 2007 to regain a life in the community. Toby has since shared his story of overcoming 5-point and chemical restraints in the DC to over 1,800 students at CSUN, CSUS and College of the Canyons. Toby has also presented at a variety of state and National Conferences over the past 14 years, including Supported Life, Cal-TASH, National TASH, and the Association of Positive Behavior Support. Toby was LA County Volunteer of the year in 2014 with Placerita Nature Center. Toby currently works part-time at a local Masonic Lodge, and does landscaping for a property owner in Castaic. Toby shares a 2-bedroom apartment with his roommate and thoroughly enjoys dendrology.