Conference Speakers

Interested in speaking at DDNA 2013?

DDNA invites all IDD nurses and other experts in the care of persons with developmental disabilities to submit a proposal to present at the DDNA Annual Education Conference, which will be held in April 2013. We welcome proposals on topics in clinical care, education, administration, research, patient education, and consultation in all practice areas of I/DD nursing. Presentations should have an interdisciplinary (nurse/family/client/other health professional) focus whenever possible.

The focus of DDNA 2013

The focus for the 2013 conference takes its inspiration from the Founding Fathers of The United States of America, who in Philadelphia in 1776 declared "We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident...". As DDNA nurses there are many truths that we know to be self evident about the care and rights of individuals with IDD. Attending the DDNA 2013 Annual Conference provides you with an outstanding opportunity to learn more about the care and rights of individuals right IDD. The Preconference will focus on the new Federal Affordable Care Act, innovations and care coordination in the community and in hospital care, and the challenges of aging individuals with IDD.

Our General session day will start with a consumer session on "Daddy's Girl", presented by Kurt Kondrich and his daughter, Chloe, who has Down Syndrome. Ann Pooler will be presenting on Trauma-Informed Care, Jan Lanier will be speaking on the How-to's of Legislation. Connie Garner, who is the Vice-President of policy for UCP will be speaking on Empowerment for the Future of IDD Nursing.

On our breakout sessions day we offer a total of 12 sessions from which to choose. Back by popular demand, Terry Broda will be doing a full day of four sessions on Syndromes and Conditions. Other breakout sessions offered on Sunday include: Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiovascular Treatment of Persons with IDD (Dr. Carl Tyler), An Update on Diabetes in Persons with IDD (Regina Linehan RN, MSN, CDE), Medical Quackery in Developmental Disabilities (Dr. James Koplan), Autism Spectrum Disorder: Life After High School (Dr. James Koplan), Infection Control in IDD Settings (Elaine Flynn, RN, CRRN, CIC, MSN).

Selection criteria for speakers

The Conference Planning committee has based its speaker selection on the following criteria:

• clarity of the description of the content and presentation methods
• importance, depth, focus, level of audience interest
• applicability of the presentation to a variety of IDD settings
• presenter's professional background and speaking experience
• absence of commercial content
• originality of topic/presentation (has not been presented at recent past DDNA conferences or at other major IDD-related conferences)