Inclusive Communication Conference

"Communication Is a Human Right: Behavior and Practice for Inclusive Learning"

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About the Conference

‍The Inclusive Communication Conference (ICC) convenes educators, therapists, caregivers, self‑advocates, and professionals committed to ensuring every person has the tools and supports to communicate. Through expert speakers, practical workshops, and peer connections, ICC delivers evidence‑based practices and actionable strategies that empower individuals of all abilities to find and use their voices in learning and community settings.

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Sponsorship & Impact

Sponsoring ICC enables high‑quality programming, access to leading experts, and expanded participation for families and practitioners. By partnering with ICC, your organization publicly affirms a commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and the belief that communication is a fundamental human right.

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CEU Credits Available!

New this year, the ICC Conference is excited to offer Continuing Education Credits for educators! Attendees who participate in the full conference will have the opportunity to earn credits while engaging in dynamic sessions, gaining practical tools, and connecting with fellow professionals. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your growth and walk away inspired and certified—be sure to attend the entire conference to qualify!

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Together, we can ensure every voice is heard and every learner is supported.

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Ticket Details

Join us for the Inclusive Communication Conference on Friday, June 12th, 2026, at the Reed Conference Center!

$25.00 Registration Tickets - Ideal for Caregivers/Guardians, Educators/School Administrators, Professionals within the disability community, and adult Self Advocates.

Buy Tickets, register to be a Vendor, and Sponsor HERE!

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Conference Schedule
12 June 2026 | Reed Conference Center

8:00 am - 8:30 am: Check-in, Light Refreshments

8:30 am - 8:50 am: Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:50 am - 9:40 am Room CD: Annie Baghdayan, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA “Unlocking Communication: The Power of ABA in Building Strong Skills to Our Diverse Learners”

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) empowers educators to unlock communication and build meaningful skills for diverse learners in the classroom. By using evidence-based strategies such as positive reinforcement, modeling, prompting, and individualized instruction, ABA helps students strengthen communication, social interaction, independence, and academic success. In schools, ABA creates supportive learning environments where teachers can better understand student behaviors, encourage positive participation, and tailor instruction to meet each learner’s unique needs. Through consistent and structured support, ABA helps students gain confidence, develop essential life skills, and reach their full potential both inside and outside the classroom.

9:45 am - 10:45 am: Breakout Session 1 (Rooms A-E and Joyner)

Room A: "Empowering Change: DRS Summer Activities and Resources for High School & Beyond" presented by Renee Sansom Briscoe, Oklahoma Department Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

This session highlights practical summer activities and community-based resources that support high school students with disabilities as they prepare for postsecondary education and independent living. Participants will explore strategies for building self-advocacy, communication skills, and inclusive engagement opportunities that center student voice. Aligned with the theme “Communication Is a Human Right,” the session emphasizes empowering students through accessible supports and intentional practices that promote equitable participation and success beyond high school.

Room B: "Oklahoma ABLE Tech-Assistive Technology Exploration" presented by Oklahoma ABLE Tech Team

Oklahoma ABLE Tech will provide an exploration space for attendees to have hands-on access to a wide range of assistive technology (AT), including communication devices, sensory tools, adaptive seating, and daily living supports. Participants can explore devices at their own pace while engaging with ABLE Tech staff to ask questions, discuss real-world applications, and discover strategies to support inclusive communication. This session emphasizes that access to AT and knowledge is essential in upholding communication as a human right across all environments.

Room C: "Using Student-Run Enterprises to Build Communication, Self-Advocacy, and Inclusive Workplace Skills"presented by Jenny Allen-Price, Purcell High School

This session explores how student-run enterprises can create authentic opportunities for communication, self-advocacy, workplace readiness, and inclusive participation for students with disabilities. Participants will learn practical strategies for embedding communication, soft skills, peer collaboration, and student leadership into real-world learning experiences through a rural school-based enterprise model. Attendees will leave with adaptable, classroom-tested ideas that support inclusive practices across educational settings.

Room D: "Supporting Neurodiverse Communication: Gestalt Language Processing in Autism" presented by Daiquirie Crumrine, PhD, CCC-SLP and Beth Lane, MA, CCC-SLP , University of Oklahoma Health Campus

This session explores gestalt language processing in autistic children through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. Attendees will learn how gestalt language development differs from analytic language development, recognize the communicative value of echolalia, and apply practical strategies that support authentic, inclusive communication across educational and clinical settings.

Room E: "Beyond Words: Music as a Powerful Tool for Deeper Communication and Inclusion" presented by Dr. Jeff Mims, Music & Expressive Arts Center of Oklahoma

Music has the unique ability to communicate what words often cannot. In diverse communities and inclusive spaces, music can serve as a bridge between individuals of different backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and lived experiences. This engaging presentation explores how music functions as a powerful tool for deeper communication, emotional expression, connection, and belonging. Participants will examine the ways rhythm, melody, lyricism, and shared musical experiences can foster empathy, strengthen relationships, and create accessible pathways for self-expression. Drawing from perspectives in expressive arts, mental health, neuroscience, and community engagement, this session will highlight how music can reduce barriers to communication while encouraging authenticity and inclusion. Through storytelling, reflection, and experiential elements, attendees will gain insight into how music can support emotional regulation, social connection, trauma-informed engagement, and collaborative communication across a variety of settings including education, wellness, community programming, and behavioral health environments. Whether used in professional practice or everyday interactions, music offers opportunities to deepen human connection in ways that transcend traditional dialogue. Participants will leave with practical ideas and renewed inspiration for integrating music-centered approaches to cultivate inclusion, communication depth, and meaningful community engagement.

Joyner: "Behavior Is Communication: Trauma-Informed Strategies That Protect Student Voice” presented by Kara Stacks, Prince ABA Consulting LLC

This breakout session explores how educators, clinicians, and support professionals can shift from viewing behaviors as “noncompliance” to understanding them as meaningful forms of communication. Grounded in trauma-informed care and neurodiversity-affirming practices, this presentation will provide practical strategies to support emotional regulation, autonomy, and authentic communication across diverse learning environments. Attendees will learn how trauma, sensory processing differences, anxiety, and communication barriers can impact behavior and engagement in the classroom. Through real-world examples and actionable tools, participants will leave with strategies to foster inclusive dialogue, reduce power struggles, support co-regulation, and create environments where every learner feels safe, respected, and heard. This session, centered on the conference theme “Communication Is a Human Right,” challenges traditional compliance-based models by elevating student voice as the primary driver of clinical and educational practice. By shifting the perspective of behavioral challenges from “problems to be managed” to “essential communication to be understood,” we empower learners through connection, dignity, and autonomy.

‍10:45 am - 11:00 am: Transition / Break

11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Breakout Session 2 (Rooms A-E and Joyner)

Room A: "No Backpacks, Picture Day and Broken Hearts: Why Communication is Key When Serving Students with ID" presented by Andee Cooper, Sooner SUCCESS

This presentation blends lived parent experience with professional experience supporting children with intellectual disabilities and the families who love them. Through heartfelt storytelling, humor, and practical strategies, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how everyday school interactions — from picture day and backpacks to IEP meetings and difficult phone calls home — can significantly impact trust, partnership, and family engagement The session will explore best practices for communication that is compassionate, collaborative, trauma-informed, and dignity-centered while also addressing common barriers families experience when navigating educational systems. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to strengthen relationships with caregivers, improve communication during challenging situations, and better support students through authentic family-school partnerships. Ideal for educators, administrators, therapists, support staff, and service providers, this presentation offers both professional insight and the powerful perspective of a parent raising a child with profound disabilities.

Room B: "Beyond the Behavior: Using Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to Decode What Children Are Communicating" presented by Kylee Corken, M.A., BCBA, Inner Circle Autism Network

This session explores how challenging behavior serves as a form of communication, reinforcing that communication is a fundamental human right for all learners. Attendees will learn how to use practical, ABA-informed strategies to identify the “why” behind behavior and respond in ways that support meaningful, inclusive communication. Participants will leave with actionable tools to interpret behavior, reduce barriers, and better support children and clients in expressing their needs.

Room C: "That Behavior is Saying Something"presented by Julie Morris, Early Foundations/Sooner Start

This session examines the relationship between functional communication and challenging behaviors. We will discuss elements of behavior and strategies for increasing functional communication. With increased communication neurodivergent learners can reduce challenging behaviors and become more successful in all environments.

Room D: "Beyond Inclusion: Are We Truly Seeing the Potential of Neurodivergent Students?" presented by Angela Murray, Blessed Pathways LLC

This session explores the difference between physical inclusion and authentic inclusion for neurodivergent learners. Drawing from both educator and parent perspectives, participants will examine how low expectations, limited resources, lack of differentiated support, and inequitable access can impact student success, particularly for Black and underserved students on the spectrum. Attendees will leave with practical, evidence-based strategies for creating inclusive learning environments that provide both support and high expectations for all learners.

Room E: "Pathways to Self-Advocacy and Inclusive Communication" presented by Morgan Davis, Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma

This session gives a short overview of inclusive communication from the perspective of self-advocates and helps attendees understand what communication is. Presenters will share different ways people express their needs, along with examples of communication tools and the use of plain language. This session aligns with the conference theme by showing how supporting all forms of communication makes learning more inclusive and respects communication as a human right.

Joyner: "Using AAC to Promote Meaningful Communication" presented by Delayna Gary, University of Central Oklahoma

This session will examine the functional role of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to support individuals with complex communication needs. A brief overview of total communication and the connection between communication and behavior will be provided. Attendees will leave with practical strategies that will empower them to implement AAC in all settings.

11:45 am - 12:00 pm: Transition and Lunch Pick Up *Boxed lunch provided

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Room CD: Lunch Keynote with Tara Warwick, PhD “Saved You a Seat: Rethinking Inclusion Through Connection & Belonging”

‍In this session, Dr. Tara Warwick explores what true inclusion and belonging really mean. Participants will examine how everyday actions can create spaces where individuals feel welcomed, valued, supported, and genuinely connected. Designed for parents, educators, therapists, administrators, and community members, this session moves beyond compliance-based inclusion to focus on authentic participation, meaningful relationships, and creating environments where everyone belongs.

1:00 pm - 1:15 pm: Transition / Break

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm: Breakout Session 3 (Rooms A-E and Joyner)

Room A: "Family Engagement and Early Language Support: Behavior in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children" presented by Erin Shepherd, M.Ed, Oklahoma School for the Deaf

The Family Engagement and Early Language Support (FEELS) program through Oklahoma School for the Deaf works to provide parents and children that are Deaf and hard of hearing with positive early language intervention. Language deprivation is an epidemic in DHH children that often presents with challenging. behaviors. This session will introduce the FEELS program, research grounded strategies for communication and how communication impacts the behavior in Deaf and hard of hearing children.

Room B: "Access Before Assumption: Motor, Regulation, and Competence in Complex Communicators " presented by Torrie Moreton, The Griffin Promise Autism Clinic

This session discusses the brain and motor difference in complex communicators. We will discuss what is apraxia, how to regulate the nervous system, and how to presume competence.

Room C: "Sensory Superhero! Communication Strategies for our Sensory Learners" presented by Crystal Hardway, Soonerstart Oklahoma Early Intervention

Saving young learners: One Sensory Learning Experience at a Time! In this session, attendees will view and analyze video examples of common sensory seeking and avoidance behaviors. We will explore how these behaviors can be used as opportunities to use language and communication for all of our clients who use a wide variety of communication modalities.

Room D: "Inclusive Communication in the Classroom, Community, and Workplace" presented by Dr. Bradley Mays, Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma

‍This session emphasizes the importance of inclusive communication in the classroom, community, and workplace through the lived experience, insights, and examples from Dr. Mays

Room E: "Why Accessibility Matters: Creating Inclusive Documents Through Alt Text and AI Tools" presented by Sumpa Akhter, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

Accessible communication ensures that all individuals, including people with disabilities, can fully engage with educational materials, workplace communication, and digital content. This presentation will focus on the importance of making documents accessible and how small accessibility practices can create a more inclusive learning environment. Participants will learn what alt text is, why it matters, and how it supports individuals who use screen readers or assistive technology. The session will include practical demonstrations on how to add alt text manually and how to generate alt text using AI tools. Attendees will also explore the strengths and limitations of AI-generated descriptions and learn best practices for writing meaningful, accurate, and inclusive alt text. This session is designed to provide practical, classroom-ready and workplace-ready strategies that educators, therapists, support professionals, and community organizations can immediately implement to improve accessibility and inclusive communication.

Joyner: "ABLE to Communicate: Funding Assistive Technology with ABLE Accounts" presented by RoseAnn Duplan, Disability Rights of Oklahoma and Wanda Felty, Center for Learning and Leadership

This session highlights how ABLE accounts can help individuals and families fund assistive technology that supports communication, participation, and independence. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of ABLE account rules, eligible expenses, and strategies for using these accounts to obtain communication tools and supports that advance inclusive learning and reinforce communication as a human right.

2:15 pm - 2:30 pm: Transition/ Break

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Room CD: “How Do You Communicate with Me?” Panel

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm: Closing Remarks, Raffles, and Survey

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