Latest TAD Conference News!

Posted in: 2009 TAD Conference: San Antonio by TAD Administration on May 26, 2009 | 1 Comment

Flash! TAD Conference Updates!

In less than one week, the 45th Biennial Texas Association of the Deaf Conference will take place at the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel from June 11 to 13. Hence, the countdown has started for TAD and the Texas Deaf Community!

Several updates have been made to make the conference more educational, entertaining and interesting. Replacing Dr. Lon Kuntze and Dr. Genie Gertz are Mike Wynne, Jr. and Mark Gobble who will talk about “Beyond Deafness: A Paradigm Shift.” Replacing Trudy Suggs is Dr. Alan Marcus who will speak about parents and their deaf children. Presenting a variety of high interest topics and presentations are Libby Pollard, Stella Egbert, John Evans, Randi Turner and Laura Davis. There will also be a total of four special panel discussions that should meet the different needs of the conference attendees. More is better!

The City of San Antonio just announced that the extension project and makeover of its famous Riverwalk is completed and our host hotel El Tropicano, original site of the 1979 TAD convention, is right next to river where you can take a riverboat taxi for just $5 going one way instead of walking up and down the steps, navigating the tricky and uneven tunnels or strolling the busy streets or sidewalks. So let the riverboat taxi pilot take care of your transportation needs. What an attractive convenience!

Do not forget to attend the world premiere of “Journey Through Deaf Texas” on Thursday of June 11 at 7:00 PM at UTSA-Downtown Campus. A chartered bus will leave the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel every 15 minutes starting at 6:00 PM. This event is a special fundraiser and a donation of $5 or more is appreciated. The fund-rising efforts are part of the short-term goal of buying DVD copies of the film after special screenings take place across Texas this year. To book your screening, contact Steve Baldwin at steve@deaftexas.org. Don’t miss this show!

The theme of the conference is very relevant, realistic and revealing: “Change, Challenge, Commitment—Moving Forward Together!” We are very fortunate to have three nationally well-known individuals and achievers. TSD Superintendent Claire Bugen will be the first keynoter who will challenge us on Friday morning the 12th. Then we have another Texan Paul Rutowski giving us past and living examples of Deaf Texans during the TAD presidential reception. The third part of the theme falls to NAD vice president Chris Wagner who will get us committed Saturday night! This triple whammy of delightful keynoters will leave you totally entertained, inspired and proactive! Don’t miss these keynoters!