IASE2026: CULTIVATING INCLUSIVE FUTURES: INNOVATIONS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
PROGRAM

Days: Sunday, June 21st Monday, June 22nd Tuesday, June 23rd Wednesday, June 24th Thursday, June 25th Friday, June 26th

Sunday, June 21st

View this program: with abstractssession overviewtalk overview

14:30-15:30 Arrival and Registration

Delegates arrive and pick up registration packets

Monday, June 22nd

View this program: with abstractssession overviewtalk overview

11:00-11:30 Session 6A
11:00
Eunice Meng Yin Tan (Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), Singapore)
Creating Job Opportunities for Autistic Adults with Higher Support Needs (abstract)
11:00-11:30 Session 6B
11:00
Kinley Wangmo (Sherabgatshel Primary School, Bhutan)
Tashi Wangchuk (Sherabgatshel Primary School, Bhutan)
Tandin Wangmo (Sherabgatshel Primary School, Bhutan)
Rin Tshomo (Sherabgatshel Primary School, Bhutan)
Improving Grade 2 Math Performance through Co-Teaching (abstract)
11:00-11:30 Session 6C
11:00
Helvecia Nfombi Takwe Embola (Member, Cameroon)
Barriers to Employment for Individuals with Disabilities and Those Affected by Conflict in Cameroon: The Role of Vocational Rehabilitation. (abstract)
11:00-11:30 Session 6D
11:00
Sonam Choden (Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan)
Enhancing Life Skills, Independence, and Wellbeing in a Non-verbal Student with Autism through Interest-Based and Visual Strategies: A Case Study in a Deaf Education Setting in Bhutan (abstract)
11:30-12:00Hosted Tea Break
12:00-13:00 Session 7A
12:00
Pema Chhogyel (Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Bhutan)
Evolving Assistive Technologies and Inclusive Learning for Persons with Disabilities (abstract)
12:30
Satomi K. Shinde (University of Wisconsin River Falls, United States)
Advanced assistive technology in inclusive education (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 7B
12:00
Michelle Proyer (University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg)
Difficult behaviours vs. the difficulty of behaving (abstract)
12:30
Kashmira Vazifdar (SPJ Sadhana School, India)
Social-Emotional Learning and Adjustment for Children with Special Educational Needs (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 7C
12:00
Yogendra Kumar Prajapati (Faculty of Education (K), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India)
Sunita Singh (Faculty of Education (K), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India)
Enhancing Mental Health in Students with Visual Impairment: Assessing the Effectiveness of the MindUp Program (abstract)
12:30
Girma Berhanu (GOTHENBURG UNIVERSITY, Sweden)
Strategies to Disrupt the School-Prison Nexus: the case of Sweden (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 7D

Panel

12:00
Iris Drower (ASU, United States)
Tejal Kothari (sadhana school mumbai, India)
Dr. Anupriya Anu Chadha (SANKALP, New Delhi, India)
Sandra Trevethan (Mwayi Trust, Malawi)
Do Le To Quyen (The Dien Ban Day Centre, Viet Nam)
Brenda Lazarus (Professor Emeritus, United States)
Volunteer Service Projects Stories and Highlights from Around the Globe (abstract)
13:00-14:00Hosted Lunch
14:00-15:00 Session 8A
14:00
Wendy Murawski (2Teach Global, United States)
Cristina Sacara Gulløv (UC Syd, Denmark)
Co-Teaching: An international perspective (abstract)
14:30
Aubrey Snyder (Utah State University, United States)
Tim Riesen (Utah State University, United States)
Outcomes and Lessons from Interagency Teams Supporting Students with Disabilities (abstract)
14:00-15:00 Session 8B
14:00
James Kirk (Winona State University, United States)
Erika Pinter (Winona State University, United States)
Jay Palmer (Winona State University, United States)
Building Bridges: University–Community Partnerships in Afterschool Education (abstract)
14:30
Le Do (The Kianh Foundation, Viet Nam)
"Beyond the Classroom: Cultivating Inclusion from the Inside Out" (abstract)
14:00-15:00 Session 8C
14:00
D Revathi (National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities, Dehradun, Uttarakhand state, India)
Effectiveness of Cross-Disability Early Intervention Services for Children with Developmental Disabilities aged 0–6 Years (abstract)
14:30
Samantha Riggleman (Loyola University Chicago, United States)
Systematic Reviews of Social Validity Assessment in Early Childhood Behavior Interventions (abstract)
14:00-15:00 Session 8D
14:00
Esther White (Maths Australia, Australia)
Maths - It's A Simple Language, Accessible To All When Taught As Such! (abstract)
14:30
Deki Yangzom (Royal Thimphu College, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan)
Kelzang Tentsho (Royal Thimphu College, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan)
Inclusive Pedagogies for a Digital Generation: Intentional Teaching with Gen Z Learners (abstract)
15:00-15:30Hosted Tea Break
15:30-16:00 Session 9A
15:30
Shari Rosen (The Essential Learning Group, Shanghai, China)
Understanding Neurodiversity: Insights, Strategies, and Everyday Impact (abstract)
15:30-16:00 Session 9B
15:30
Rudia Kihura (University of Arkansas at Little Rock, United States)
Vanitha Chinnaswamy (Manipur University, India)
Gloria Ledwaba (University of South Africa, South Africa)
Global Pathways to Inclusion: Innovations in Special Education from India, South Africa, and the USA (abstract)
15:30-16:00 Session 9C
15:30
Anupriya Chadha (SANKALP SOCIETY, India)
Analysis of the Government’s Models of Skill Training in the Context of PwDs (abstract)
Tuesday, June 23rd

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10:30-11:00 Session 12A
10:30
Tim Riesen (Utah State University, United States)
Aubrey Snyder (Utah State University, United States)
Supported Employment (SE) and Customized Employment (CE): A Comparative Analysis (abstract)
10:30-11:00 Session 12B
10:30
Shubhra Seth (Indraprastha College for Women , University of Delhi , Delhi, India., India)
Enabling Green Action Plan in South Asia (abstract)
10:30-11:00 Session 12C
10:30
Margaretha Izzo (The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, United States)
Iris Neil (University of Central Florida, United States)
Preparing Students with Disabilities for College and Careers (abstract)
10:30-11:00 Session 12D
10:30
Kristi Liu (University of Minnesota, United States)
Jessica Bowman (University of Minnesota, United States)
The Inclusive Education Roadmap: Innovation for Global Systems Change (abstract)
11:00-12:00 Session 13A
11:00
Pema Eden (Nursing and Midwifery, Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan)
Jigme Wangchuk (Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan)
Educating for Gross National Happiness Pedagogy (abstract)
11:30
Tejal Kothari (SPJ Sadhana School, India)
Empowering Abilities: A Holistic Approach to Inclusive Education and Sustainable Skill Development (abstract)
11:00-12:00 Session 13B
11:00
Elia Dyitege (Therrapist, Tanzania)
Promoting Inclusion: Engaging Children with Autism in Everyday Learning and Community Activities (abstract)
11:30
Mary Estelle Powers (Sunnyvale School District, United States)
Family Alignment & Collaboration System (FACS) - Connecting Home and School for Neurodivergent Learners (abstract)
11:00-12:00 Session 13C
11:00
Barry Bullis (Pace University, United States)
Comprehension Strategies, Strategies, Strategies...Are They Working? (abstract)
11:30
David Evans (The University of Sydney, Australia)
Nidhi Singh (The University of Sydney, Australia)
The Role of Collective Teacher Efficacy in Inclusive Education: A Systematic Review of Literature (abstract)
11:00-12:00 Session 13D

Panel

11:00
Pamela Mims (East Tennessee State University, United States)
Bree Jimenez (Baylor University, United States)
Caroline Fitchett (Central Michigan University, United States)
Systematic Instruction as a Foundation for Accessing Grade-Aligned Content: ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 14A
12:00
Fionika Sanghvi (SPJ Sadhana School, India)
You Are Not Alone (abstract)
12:30
Lindsay Morcom (Queen's University, Canada)
Fathering FASD: Supporting fathers of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 14B
12:00
Cathy Little (University of Sydney, Australia)
Jia Ying Neoh (University of Sydney, Australia)
Debra Talbot (University of Sydney, Australia)
David Evans (University of Sydney, Australia)
Janey Jankelson (University of Sydney, Australia)
Nidhi Singh (University of Sydney, Australia)
Toward a Theoretical Framework for Teacher Preparedness in Inclusive Rural and Remote Education: Findings from the INSPiRE Project (abstract)
12:30
Sandra Trevethan (IASE, Malawi)
Programs asssting young learners to remain in school and youth to access vocational training in rural Malawi. (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 14C
12:00
Jayne Nadarajoo (The GUILD International College, ASPIRE Centre and Melbourne International School, Singapore)
Promoting Self-advocacy Through Assistive Technology (abstract)
12:30
Emily Unholz-Bowden (University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration, United States)
Brian Abery (University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration, United States)
Supporting Self-Determination: Culturally-Responsive Approaches to Decision-Making with Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 14D

Panel

12:00
Margaretha Izzo (The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, United States)
Iris Neil (University of Central Florida, United States)
Kiera Anderson (University of Central Florida, Occupational Therapy Department, United States)
Using Evidence-based Practices to Increase Students' Adult Life Outcomes (abstract)
13:00-14:00Hosted Lunch
14:00-15:00 Session 15: Poster Sessions

Poster Session (all in 1 hour)

14:00
Asha Rao (Camosun College, Canada)
Cultivating Creativity: Building Community Connections (abstract)
15:00
Jingyuan Zhang (East Tennessee State University, United States)
Pamela Mims (East Tennessee State University, United States)
Understanding Mathematics Intervention Implementation Fidelity in Rural Schools (abstract)
16:00
Reem Muharib (Texas State University, Saudi Arabia)
Building Independence: Teaching Daily Living Skills to Adolescents with Autism (abstract)
17:00
Reem Muharib (Texas State University, Saudi Arabia)
Supporting Communication with Speech-Generating Devices in Students with Autism (abstract)
18:00
Hannah Sammy (Private Practice, Trinidad and Tobago)
Accessibility as Storytelling: Innovations in Caribbean Theatre (abstract)
19:00
Stephen Kwiatek (Utah State University, United States)
Luettamae Lawrence (Utah State University, United States)
Julianne Hunter (Utah State University, United States)
Co-Designing Solutions with General Education, School Counseling, and Special Education Professionals to Prepare Students with Disabilities for Adult Life: Reflections from 2 Years of Our Research-Practice Partnership (abstract)
20:00
Samantha Riggleman (Loyola University Chicago, United States)
Global Perspectives on Early Intervention: Barriers and Policies Supporting Inclusion (abstract)
21:00
Krisztina Zajdo (Széchenyi István University/The University of Győr, Hungary)
Future planning for adolescents with mild intellectual disability: A tool for inclusion (abstract)
Wednesday, June 24th

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12:00-13:00Lunch Break
Thursday, June 25th

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09:30-10:30 Session 19A
09:30
Daniel McCarthy (International Association of Special Education, United States)
The Counseling and Education Program: School Social Work Services and Special Education in the United States (abstract)
10:00
Mary Kirk (Winona State University, United States)
Ann Lichliter (Winona State University, United States)
Scaffolding Social Justice: Co-Teaching and Critical Pedagogies for Disability-Inclusive Social Work Education (abstract)
09:30-10:30 Session 19B
09:30
Kalpana Kapadia (SPJ Sadhana School, India)
Fionika Sanghvi (SPJ Sadhana School, India)
Mathematics is integral to curriculum design (abstract)
10:00
Cyndy Anang (Nevada State University, United States)
Christine Beaudry (Nevada State University, United States)
Addressing Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education Teachers' Math Anxiety with Literacy-Themed Mathematics Instruction (abstract)
09:30-10:30 Session 19C
09:30
Minu Sono (Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh, India)
Attitude of College teachers towards inclusive education in Arunachal Pradesh (abstract)
09:30-10:30 Session 19D

Panel

09:30
Matthew Schuelka (Fora Films, United States)
Arun Bhattarai (Sound Pictures, Bhutan)
Kimi Hnamte (Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan)
Bhuwan Kafley (Tarayana Foundation, Bhutan)
Tashi Yetsho (Independent, Bhutan)
Film Screening and Discussion: Dreams of Birds Flying in the Sky (abstract)
10:30-11:00 Session 20A
10:30
Girma Berhanu (GOTHENBURG UNIVERSITY, Sweden)
Overview of JIASE: Guidelines, Focus, and Pathways to Publication (abstract)
10:30-11:00 Session 20B
10:30
George Mancinelli (Gonzaga College High School, United States)
Leron Williams (Chautauqua Learn and Serve Charter School student, United States)
Jimmy Patronis (Cambridge University Advanced international Certificate of Education, Bay High School Panama City, FL, United States)
Dr. Melissa Grabner-Hagen (Purdue University, United States)
Eloise Grabner (Max Planck Gymnasium Gottingen, Germany)
Cynthia McCauley (Chautauqua Charter School, United States)
Chautauqua--Working Together (abstract)
10:30-11:00 Session 20C
10:30
Julianne Hunter (Utah State University, United States)
Stephen Kwiatek (Utah State University, United States)
Strategies for Seamless Transitions Across the Lifespan: Tools and Techniques for Every Stage (abstract)
10:30-11:00 Session 20D
10:30
Amal Rogers (Kaafi Wellness, United States)
Fartun Mohamud (Kaafi Counseling, United States)
Finding Your Feet : Somatic Practices for Teachers and Students (abstract)
11:00-11:30Hosted Tea Break
11:30-12:00 Session 21A
11:30
Samantha Mrstik (University of West Georgia, United States)
Toni Franklin (University of West Georgia, United States)
Jennnifer Campbell (University of West Georgia, United States)
Do the High Leverage Practices help Teacher Candidates to Create a Stable, Ethical Teaching Environment? (abstract)
11:30-12:00 Session 21B
11:30
Brian Abery (University of Minnesota - Institute on Community Integration, United States)
Emily Unholz-Bowden (University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration, United States)
Participation in the Special Olympics Unified Champion School Program and the Development of Social Emotional Leaning and Self-Determination Capacities Among High School Youth (abstract)
11:30-12:00 Session 21C
11:30
Yoshiko Fujita (Shukutoku University, Japan)
Cam Huong Nguyen Thi (Hanoi National University of Education, Viet Nam)
Motohiro Sakai (Keiai Junior College, Japan)
Makiko Matsuka (Shukutoku University, Japan)
Mieko Ikehata (Shukutoku University (Clinical Center for Child Development), Japan)
Masako Koga (PiPi - Children 's Culture Laboratory, Japan)
Potential of Panel Theater in Special Education: Vietnamese Teachers’ Perceptions (abstract)
11:30-12:00 Session 21D
11:30
Tshewang Dorji (Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan)
Cultivating Inclusive Education through Action Research: Enhancing First-Year Student Success with the Four Immeasurable Qualities in Higher Education (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 22A
12:00
Liz Girard (North Island College, Canada)
Teaching Sexuality Education to Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (abstract)
12:30
Kashmira Vazifdar (SPJ Sadhana School, India)
Importance of Teacher Training for ‘Education on Sexuality’ for Children with Special Educational Needs (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 22B
12:00
Dimitris Anastasiou (Southern Illinois University, United States)
Concept Mapping and Science Achievement for Students With and Without Disabilities (abstract)
12:30
Bree Jimenez (Baylor University, United States)
Breaking Barriers: Increasing Engineering Instruction for Students with ESN through UDL (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 22C
12:00
Kai Greene (California State University Dominguez Hills, United States)
The Intersection of Ableism and Linguicism: Inclusionary Practices in Teacher Preparation for Multilingual Students with Disabilities (abstract)
12:30
Jennifer Taylor (Sunnyvale School District Extensive Needs Teacher | Teacher of the Year 2025, United States)
Megan Hsu (Sunnyvale School District Special Education Administrator | Founder of Edumated: Education Automated, United States)
Inclusion by Design: Matching Models to Needs, Aligning the Whole Team (abstract)
12:00-13:00 Session 22D

Panel

12:00
Renata Ticha (University of Minnesota, United States)
Brian Abery (University of Minnesota, United States)
Tim Riesen (Utah State University, United States)
One Size Does not Fit All: Transitioning to Adulthood with a Disability (abstract)
13:00-14:00Hosted Lunch
14:00-14:30 Session 23A
14:00
Kalynn Hall (Columbus State University & Exceptional Learning Solutions LLC, United States)
Multi-disciplinary Teacher Education Programs to Promote Collaboration in Practice (abstract)
14:00-14:30 Session 23B
14:00
Jim Patton (University of Texas at Austin, United States)
Preparing students for life after high school: Assessing strengths and needs (abstract)
14:00-14:30 Session 23C
14:00
Martha Howard (Tennessee Tech University, United States)
Fostering Family Capacity in Early Intervention (abstract)
14:30-15:30 Session 24A
14:30
Shruti Pandey (Banaras Hindu University ,Varanasi ,Uttar Pradesh,India, India)
Pre-vocational Skill Training for Students with Visual Impairment: Global Practices and Emerging Trends (abstract)
15:00
Anupriya Chadha (SANKALP SOCIETY, India)
Every Voice Counts, Every Voice Matters- Work of Sankalp Society – India (abstract)
14:30-15:30 Session 24B
14:30
Iva Boneva (Trakia university, Bulgaria; Association for Shared Learning ELA, Bulgaria)
Toward One School for All: Organisational Models of Inclusive Education in Bulgaria and Kazakhstan (abstract)
15:00
Silvia Zanazzi (University of Ferrara, Italy, Italy)
Challenges for an inclusive education in Italy: insights from support teacher trainees (abstract)
14:30-15:30 Session 24C
14:30
Anga Padu (Rajiv Gandhi University, India, India)
Inclusive Practices at Elementary Stage in Arunachal Pradesh (abstract)
15:00
Dorji Dema (Ministry of Education, Bhutan)
Teachers, Parents, and Students’ Perceptions of Special Educational Placement Models: Mainstream, Self-Contained, and Resource Room (abstract)
14:30-15:30 Session 24D

Panel

14:30
Matthew Schuelka (Fora Education, United States)
Kezang Sherab (Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan)
Ura Sonam Tshewang (Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan)
Renata Ticha (University of Minnesota, United States)
Brian Abery (University of Minnesota, United States)
Why Transition and Employment Matter for Inclusive Education at All Levels: A Case Study from Bhutan (abstract)
Friday, June 26th

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10:00-11:00 Session 25A
10:00
Dolma Roder (Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan)
Vanlallawmkimi Na (Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan)
Raising disable children in Thimphu, Bhutan (abstract)
10:30
Ugyen Choden (Curtin University, Australia)
Enhancing Inclusive Physical Education Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study on Teacher Perceptions in Bhutanese Schools (abstract)
10:00-11:00 Session 25B
10:00
Nguyen Thi-Cam-Huong (Hanoi National University of Education, Viet Nam)
Dimitris Anastasiou (Southern Illinois University, United States)
Inclusive Special Education in Vietnam: Current Status and Challenges (abstract)
10:30
Iris Manor Binyamini (Tel-Hay College, Israel)
Factors influencing collaboration between Bedouin parents and professionals caring for children with disabilities at school - a new model (abstract)
10:00-11:00 Session 25C

Panel

10:00
Samantha Mrstik (University of West Georgia, United States)
Anupriya Chadha (National Chair of India, India)
Iva Boneva (National Chair of Bulgaria, Bulgaria)
Girma Berhanu (University of Gothenburg, Sweden)
IASE National Chair Discussion (abstract)
11:00-11:30 Session 26A
11:00
Mieko Ikehata (Shukutoku University / Clinical Center for Child Development, Japan)
Makiko Matsuka (Shukutoku University, Japan)
Thi Cam Huong Nguyen (Hanoi National University of Education, Viet Nam)
Yoshiko Fujita (Shukutoku University, Japan)
Masako Koga (PiPi - Children's Culture Laboratory, Japan)
Motohiro Sakai (Keiai Junior College, Japan)
Creating Materials for Special Education: The Use of Panel Theater (abstract)
11:00-11:30 Session 26B
11:00
Joanna Kruk-Lasocka (Pomeranian University of Science and Technology (PSW), Poland)
Zuzanna Banaszak-Horyza (Fundacja Królowej Świętej Jadwigi (Montessori Mountain Schools), Poland)
Recognizing emotional and social difficulties in preschool children by teachers through the psychomotor play “Doll and Teddy Bear” (abstract)
11:00-11:30 Session 26C
11:00
Megan Hsu (Sunnyvale School District Special Education Administrator | Founder of Edumated: Education Automated, United States)
Jennifer Taylor (Sunnyvale School District Extensive Needs Teacher | Teacher of the Year 2025, United States)
Every Learner, Every Context: Educators as AI Architects of Inclusion (abstract)
12:30-13:30Hosted Lunch
18:30-21:00 Gala Event

Dinner, entertainment, and auction