PLEASE NOTE: This schedule is being frequently updated; please check back for the final version. Concurrent sessions are open enrollment; no advance sign-up is required.

At a Glance Conference Schedule      Day 1 Conference Schedule

Tuesday, Feb. 24

7:30-9 a.m. Conference Check-in  |  Rio Grande Foyer

A breakfast buffet will be available from 7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Garden Terrace.

8:30-9:20 a.m.  Invited Speaker  |  Location: Rio Grande Ballroom

Disability in Rural Areas: Consistent and Persistent Challenges
Debra Harley, Ph.D., CRC, LPCC-S

Disability rates are higher rural areas and availability of services are more limited and difficult to access. Populations in rural areas are older, poorer, more dependent on Medicaid and Medicare. In the current political climate, people with disabilities face increasing challenges. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight concerns and disparities for people with disabilities rural communities and to discuss key considerations for disability services in rural areas. Specific topics to be addressed include long-term services and supports, transportation, housing, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, workforce shortages, and telehealth and technology. Consideration for the next direction is also presented.
 

9:30-10:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

• 25-Minute Sessions  |  Location: Rio Grande Ballroom
  • The State of Inclusive Higher Education
    Chrisann Schiro-Geist, Ph.D.; Patrick J. Krolik, MBA
     
  • Transition Age Foster Youth & Vocational Rehabilitation: How is Type of Service Related to Employment?
    Michele Schutz, Ph.D.; Sangjee Ha, M.A.; Chung-Lung Lee, Ph.D.; Judy Havlicek, Ph.D.; David R. Strauser, Ph.D.
    
    Disabilities are highly prevalent among youth aging out of foster care. Studies find that employment rates remain stubbornly low. State vocational rehabilitation programs may serve a vital role for this group, but not much known about how services are related to employment. This study analyzes data from the RSA Case Service Report database. In 2020, there were 2,666 individuals between the ages of 14 and 21 years and in foster care. Using multivariate logistic regression, demographic variables, barriers, and 36 VR service types were used to predict the likelihood of employment. No pre-ETS services were associated with employment. Only 4 out of 12 training services, 5 out of 11 career services, and 3 out of 8 other services predicted employment. 
     
• Cognitive Support Technology and Its Beneficial Impact on Postsecondary Students with Autism  |  Location: Nueces
  Phillip Rumrill, Ph.D., CRC; Amaka Okori, Ph.D.
  
  The number of students with autism enrolling in American colleges and universities has increased by 800% since 1980. Yet 70% of students with autism report problems with the academic demands of their classes, and 80% report dissatisfaction with their social interactions on campus. Project Next, a two-group randomized clinical trial, addresses these challenges by providing students in the treatment group with customized vocational case management, cognitive support technology, and tailored assistance to promote success in both degree completion and employment. This presentation will describe the intervention in detail, compare the full treatment and control groups, suggest cognitive support technology options, and share strategies to improve services and outcomes for individuals with autism.
   
• Mental Health for College Students in a Hispanic Serving Institution  |  Location: Frio
  Heekyung Lee, Ph.D, CRC
  
  Mental health disparities among the ethnic/racial minorities are prevalent due to stigma, lack of culturally sensitive interventions, and service accessibility. As half of American young adults exhibit mental health problems, it is important higher education pays attention to college students’ mental health to support their success. Pre-nursing students with and without disabilities often experience higher levels of stress due to academic demands, uncertainty of clinical practice, and other personal factors. Nevertheless, there is little to no research on the impact of stress on performance, protective and/or risk factors on mental health, and how to support them at an institutional level. Considering the pre-nursing program is one of the most competitive programs in college, further resources need to be provided. 
   
• Navigating Risk, Trust, and Understanding in Workplace Mental Health Disclosure  |  Location: Blanco
  Sang Qin, Ph.D., CRC; Rouyi (Zoey) Chen, M.S., CRC; Eunjeong Ko, M.S.; Stephanie Lauren Burnham; Kanisorn Saenuttayan, M.S., CRC; Azusa Ohba, M.S., CRC; Christine Sui, M.S., CRC
  
  People with serious mental illness (SMI) often encounter stigma in the workplace, which can become internalized and develop into self-stigma, triggering the “why-try” effect, a sense of futility that undermines participation in meaningful employment. Purposeful reflection on whether, when, and how to disclose can help counter self-stigma and promote inclusion. This study examined how individuals with SMI navigate workplace disclosure. Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) design, individuals with lived experience participated as partners across all research phases. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 employed or job-seeking individuals with SMI and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings revealed that disclosure is a dynamic, relational process shaped by risk, trust, timing, and workplace culture, informing stigma-reducing and supportive employment practices.
   
• Neuropsychologist Perspectives on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Polytrauma Prognosis Regarding Implications for Life Care Planners  |  Location: Llano
  Elaine Mora, Ph.D.
  
  The recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), particularly when combined with polytrauma and legal involvement, is complex and susceptible to bias. The intersection of mTBI and litigation raises ethical concerns regarding the impartiality of expert testimony, as retained professionals often present conflicting views influenced by the legal context (Tsanadis et al., 2008; Marquardt, 2002). Litigation also impacts neuropsychologists’ perceptions, frequently resulting in longer recovery estimates, increased suspicion of symptom exaggeration, and greater confidence in subjective complaints. This quantitative study surveyed 100 neuropsychologists assessing cases in both clinical and litigation settings. Data was analyzed using multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression, revealing that external case factors—such as plaintiff involvement—are strong predictors of perceived recovery timelines, symptom validity, and prognosis. The findings underscore the urgent need for standardized, evidence-based assessment protocols, including objective neurobiological markers like neuroimaging, to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and scientific rigor of forensic evaluations. Emphasizing bias awareness and developing consensus guidelines can further improve the reliability and objectivity of neuropsychological assessments in legal cases involving mTBI and polytrauma. 
   
• 2026 ARRPE Recruitment Event  |  Location: Pecos
  Malachy Bishop, Ph.D., CRC
  
  The 2026 ARRPE Recruitment Event will provide a recruitment opportunity to promote and meet with potential candidates for Faculty Positions, Postdoctoral Fellowships, Doctoral Programs, and other professional opportunities. Please feel free to bring fliers or other information to provide to interested participants. Table spaces will be available. There is no cost to participate and no RSVP is required. If you have any questions about the recruitment event, please email Dr. Malachy Bishop at mlbishop4@wisc.edu, with subject: ARRPE Recruitment Event. 
  
  

10:30-11:00 a.m. Coffee Break  |  Rio Grande Foyer


10:40-11:40 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

• 25-Minute Sessions  |  Location: Rio Grande Ballroom
  • Transition-Age Foster Youth with Disabilities: How Does Receipt of VR Services Combined with Extended Foster Care Shape Employment Outcomes?
    Judy Havlicek, Ph.D.; Chung-Lung Lee, Ph.D.; Michele Schutz, Ph.D.;  Sangjee Ha, M.A.;  David R. Strauser, Ph.D.
    
    Since 2008, 26 states have extended the age that foster youth may remain in care from age 18 to age 21 (known as extended foster care or EFC). Not much is known about how states leverage opportunities for EFC to strengthen goals for work, especially among those facing barriers. Using a multivariate logistical regression, this study analyzed data from the RSA Case Service Report database to explore how receipt of VR Services combined with extended foster Care shapes employment outcomes of 2,666 youth between the ages of 14 and 21. An interaction effect of EFC and most significant disability was significant, suggesting that the more severe the disability the lower the odds of employment in states with extended foster care. 
     
  • Advancing a Biopsychosocial-Ecological Framework for Long COVID and Employment 
    Zaccheus J. Ahonle, Ph.D., CRC; Madeline Castle, Ph.D.
    
    This session presents the integrated biopsychosocial–ecological (IBPE) framework guiding the five-year Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) DIF initiative for developing an evidence-informed vocational rehabilitation (VR) model promoting competitive integrated employment (CIE) for individuals with long-COVID and related acquired disabilities. Empirical evidence shows persistent fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and cognitive dysfunction that limit sustained work participation (Davis et al., 2021), requiring flexible, context-responsive VR. Grounded in the ICF and model-driven rehabilitation counseling (WHO, 2001; Chan et al., 2009), our framework explicitly incorporates family systems and SDOH as ecological enablers of CIE. Presenters describe Year 1 pre-implementation activities (framework refinement, counselor preparation, partnerships) and implications for VR workforce readiness. This conceptual foundation positions state-federal VR systems for evidence-informed service design in subsequent years.
     
• Emerging Vocational Rehabilitation Strategies for People with Diabetes Mellitus  |  Location: Nueces
  Phillip Rumrill, Ph.D., CRC; Kaiqi Zhou, Ph.D., CRC, LPC-IT; Sara Park, Ph.D., CRC, LPC-IT
  
  Diabetes mellitus is an emerging disability that affects people across the lifespan and disproportionately impacts communities of color and individuals living in poverty. As its prevalence rises, people with diabetes represent an important and growing vocational rehabilitation (VR) consumer population. This presentation will provide an overview of the etiology, incidence, prevalence, and vocational impact of this high incidence endocrinological condition. Presenters will share strategies to address the service and support needs of individuals with diabetes throughout the VR process. Emphasis will be placed on individualized case planning, employer consultation, workplace accommodations, collaboration with medical and mental health professionals, and the role of self-care and symptom management in successful employment outcomes.
   
• Exploring Telework Access Across Demographic, Economic, and Geographic Factors for People with Disabilities  |  Location: Frio
  Kelsey R. Webb, Ph.D., CRC, NCC, LCMHC-A, LCPC; Gemarco J. Peterson, Ph.D., CRC, NCC; Irfanullah Khan, Ph.D.; Joshua Simpson, M.S., LCMHC-A, APC, NCC; Shyreeta Hearne, M.S.; Atashia Muhammad, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC; Khadidra Washington, Ph.D.
  
  Telework is increasingly recognized as a critical accommodation for advancing employment, labor market participation, and economic independence among individuals with disabilities in the United States. While the expansion of remote work has created new possibilities for disability workplace inclusion, telework access remains understudied through an intersectional lens across the heterogeneous population of people with disabilities. This session will explore and identify disparities across demographic (i.e., race/ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation), economic (i.e., poverty status), and geographic factors (i.e., rural vs. urban) and discuss recommendations for vocational rehabilitation policy, practice, and workforce development aimed at advancing equitable telework access. Findings from an analysis of telework statuses using two combined waves (2022 and 2023) of the National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD) revealed that Blacks and Whites with disabilities living in poverty had significantly lower odds of telework statuses compared to Asian/Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander/American Indian/Alaska Native individuals who had not experienced poverty. 
   
• Rehabilitation Length of Stay and Treatment Intensity Following Spinal Cord Injury: Predictors, Outcomes, and Perspectives from Individuals with Lived Experience, Care Partners, and Clinicians  |  Location: Blanco
  Alex W.K. Wong, Ph.D., DPhil, CRC; Allen W. Heinemann, Ph.D., ABPP
  
  This presentation provides an overview of a NIDILRR-funded project titled the “International Exploration of Rehabilitation Length of Stay Following SCI,” followed by a discussion of the findings from two systematic review protocols. The first protocol aimed to examine associations of LOS and therapy intensity with personal- and hospital-level factors. The second protocol aimed to investigate associations of LOS and therapy intensity with patient outcomes in individuals following SCI. Next, we will describe a mixed-methods study aimed at identifying perspectives from individuals with SCI, care partners, and rehabilitation clinicians on their rehabilitation experiences and preparation for community reintegration.
   
• SCOPING REVIEW: C Broad-Scope Analysis or Rehabilitation Framework Synthesis or Rehabilitation Landscape Analysis of Counselor Training, Caseloads, and Equity in Vocational Rehabilitation  |  Location: Llano
  Chrisann Schiro-Geist, Ph.D.; Patrick J. Krolik, MBA
  
  This presentation synthesizes recent research and a scoping review of vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor education, caseload management, and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Drawing on studies conducted at the University of Memphis Institute on Disability (UMID) TIGERLIFE and national Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) datasets (disaggregated dataset from RSA 911), we examine how counselor preparation, certification, and workload influence closure rates, high-quality job placements, and wage outcomes. Evidence indicates that counselors with master’s degrees in rehabilitation counseling and those holding CRC certification achieve superior high-quality placements, though systemic barriers—including heavy caseloads and wage inequities—limit overall progress. Findings highlight the importance of outcome-based training, culturally competent practices, and innovative approaches such as Project FIRST’s technology-driven modules. Implications for counselor preparation, policy development, and equitable workforce participation are discussed.
   
• Vocational Rehabilitation for Hispanic Consumers: A Culturally Grounded Approach Centered on Familismo  |  Location: Pecos
  Yazmin Castruita-Rios, Ph.D., CRC; Hannah Fry, Ph.D., CRC, LPC
  
  Hispanic individuals, while being the largest racial/ethnic minority group in the U.S., continue experiencing disparities in accessing and utilizing VR services leading to poorer employment outcomes. Yet, there remains limited knowledge on culturally responsive services targeted towards Hispanic individuals with disabilities in VR programs. This presentation will discuss the relevance and importance of familismo when serving Hispanic VR consumers, along with strategies to consider when working with this group. Implications for VR practice and rehabilitation research will be discussed.
   

11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

• 25-Minute Sessions  |  Location: Rio Grande Ballroom
  • Transitioning to Adulthood with a Disability: How do Foster Youth Compare to Same Age Peers Receiving Vocational Rehabilitation Services?
    David R. Strauser, Ph.D.; Michele Schutz, Ph.D.; Judy Havlicek, Ph.D; Chung-Lung Lee, Ph.D.; Sangjee Ha, M.A.
    
    Changes under WIOA expanded eligibility to include eligible transition age youth with disabilities. Little is known about this group. We analyzed data from the RSA Case Service Report FY 2020 database to describe the 91,040 transition age youth (TAY) receiving VR services and compared them to the 2,666 transition-aged foster youth (FY). Rates of employment at time of application were similar. Type of disability differed: the most prevalent disability among TAY was a learning disability (28%) whereas the most prevalent disability among FY was serious mental illness (25%). A smaller proportion of TAY were receiving SSI. While the proportion that received five types of pre-ETS was similar their relationship to the odds of employment differed across groups. 
     
  • Empowering Wellness: A Mobile App Intervention to Promote Exercise Adherence for Adults with Spinal Cord Injury
    Alex W.K. Wong, Ph.D., DPhil, CRC, FACRM; Sara Nataletti, Ph.D.; Anushua Banerjee, B.S.; Sara Prokup, PT, DPT; David Chen, M.D.; Allen Heinemann, Ph.D., ABPP, FACRM; Arun Jayaraman, PT, Ph.D.

• Psychological Quality of Life in Women with Disability: A Mixed Method Analysis |  Location: Nueces
  Heekyung Lee, Ph.D, CRC
  
  Research has shown that students with disabilities often experience lower psychological QoL compared to their nondisabled peers.  However, little attention has been paid on psychological QoL, especially for female college students with disabilities. The currently study included a total of 104 female college students (M = 22.35, SD =5.69) in the Midwest region. A sequential explanatory approach was used. Quantitative data were analyzed using a moderated model in SPSS 29.0 with PROCESS Macro 4.2 (Model 1; Hayes, 2022). Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative response. The present study found that psychosocial vulnerability influences low levels of psychological QoL among female college students with disabilities; and behavioral disengagement serves as a risk factor, amplifying the negative effect on psychological QoL.
   
• Section 14(c) Impact on Supported Employment Outcomes in VR: Propensity Score Analysis |  Location: Frio
  Sara Park, Ph.D., CRC, LPC; Yazmin Castruita-Rios, Ph.D., CRC
  
  Although supported employment is an evidence-based practice for individuals with significant disabilities, little is known about how prior participation in subminimum wage employment under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act influences later employment outcomes within state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs. This presentation describes an empirical study examining whether individuals with a history of 14(c) employment experience disparities in competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes, hourly wages, and weekly hours worked at VR program exit after receiving supported employment services. Implications for VR practitioners, disability policy, and rehabilitation researchers will be addressed.
   
• SenseAbility Pathways: Advancing Learning and Careers through Tactile Technology  |  Location: Blanco
  Janet LaBreck
  
  SenseAbility Pathways—developed by the Alliance for Inclusive Design and Experiences (AIDE) and Tactile Images, leverages tactile technology to enhance learning, independence, and career readiness for youth who are blind or visually impaired (B/VI). Through Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) under WIOA, participants engage with tactile graphics, 3D models, and multisensory experiences that strengthen STEM understanding and build transferable skills such as project management and computer science. Grounded in self-efficacy, self-determination, and self-advocacy, SenseAbility Pathways demonstrates how tactile innovation can close opportunity gaps, create equitable career pathways, and serve as a research-based model for VR agencies and educators.
   
• Person-Centered Profiles of Assistive Technology Needs in Employment among Autistic Adults  |  Location: Llano
  Kaiqi Zhou, Ph.D., CRC, LPC-IT; Jaeyoung Kim, Ph.D., CRC; Heerak Choi, Ph.D., CRC
  
  This study identified profiles of assistive technology (AT) needs among 501 autistic adults in employment and examined their relationship with life satisfaction and predictors of profile membership. Using latent profile analysis (LPA), three distinct needs groups emerged: low, mid, and high. Surprisingly, individuals in the high-needs group reported the highest life satisfaction, suggesting that AT needs may reflect proactive engagement rather than deficit. Greater AT awareness and older age predicted high-needs profile membership, while unemployment was associated with heightened needs. Findings highlight the importance of designing inclusive, user-centered AT services and integrating awareness-building strategies into vocational rehabilitation. Implications emphasize moving beyond short-term, deficit-focused interventions toward holistic, lifespan-oriented AT supports that promote autonomy, competence, and meaningful participation.
   
• SWTCIE Illinois Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Dual Customer Approach to Optimize Employment Outcomes  |  Location: Pecos
  Bryan S. Austin, Ph.D., LPC (Idaho), CRC, CVE; John F. Kosciulek, Ph.D.; David G. Strauser, Ph.D.; Stuart Rumrill, Ph.D., LPC, CRC; Chun-Lung Lee, Ph.D.
  
  As part of the evaluation of the Subminimum Wage Transition to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Illinois project, interviews were conducted with eight SWTCIE Illinois project vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors. Interviews were designed to gather data related to overall role of the VR counselor and have a more specific focus on the counseling and guidance function and informed choice processes with SWTCIE Illinois participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Three themes were developed based on analysis of the counselor interview data: Dual Customer, Counseling and Guidance Processes, and Active Collaboration. These themes play a vital role in maximizing competitive integrated employment outcomes for SWTCIE Illinois participants. SWTCIE Illinois project’s evaluation findings and implications for State vocational rehabilitation counselors will be presented.
   

12:50-2:00 p.m. Lunch Break
 

2:00-2:50 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

• 25-Minute Sessions  |  Location: Rio Grande Ballroom
  • The Job Retention Experiences of Black or African American Autistic Individuals
    Muharrem Koc
    
    This qualitative study explores the job retention experiences of Black or African American autistic individuals, an underrepresented group in autism employment research. Using photovoice and individual interviews, the study examines how intersecting identities of race and neurodivergence shape workplace experiences, including supports and barriers to sustained employment. Participants share photographs and narratives reflecting their challenges and strategies related to job retention. Findings aim to identify systemic, interpersonal, and organizational factors that influence long-term employment outcomes, highlighting both barriers such as discrimination and limited accommodations, and strengths such as community and self-advocacy. The study seeks to inform culturally responsive employment practices, promoting equity and inclusion for Black or African American autistic workers.
     
  • The Nexus Between Housing Status, Demographic Factors, and Employment Among People with Disabilities
    Irfanullah Khan, Ph.D., Edward O. Manyibe, Ph.D., Gemarco J. Peterson, Ph.D., CRC, NCC; Kelsey R. Webb, Ph.D., CRC, NCC, LCMHC-A, LCPC; Joshua Simpson, M.S., LCMHC-A, APC, NCC; Shyreeta Hearne, M.S.
    
    Employment represents a critical pathway to economic independence for individuals with disabilities, yet substantial disparities persist across demographic and socioeconomic factors (Avila-Acosta et al., 2025). Despite federal policy mandates such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and vocational rehabilitation supports, employment rates among people with disabilities remain significantly lower than their non-disabled counterparts (Poydock et al., 2024). Housing instability, poverty, and geographic barriers restrict access to stable employment opportunities for many individuals with disabilities (Council, 2023), Shukla et al., 2025). This study presents findings from a National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD,2021-2024) of 4,692 individuals with disabilities, using Machine Learning methods, including Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting algorithms, to identify demographic and socioeconomic predictors of employment among people with disabilities. 

• Inclusive by Design: Integrating Plain Lanuguage and Authentic Imagery  |  Location: Nueces
  Teri T. Lahmon, M.S.
  
  Inclusive communication ensures clarity and a sense of belonging for everyone. This presentation offers an introduction to creating accessible messaging using plain language and inclusive vocabulary. We will also examine the power of visual storytelling, focusing on how to select imagery that accurately and respectfully reflects our constituents.  Attendees will leave with strategies to build communications that foster equity and connect with the full spectrum of the communities we serve.
   
• Suicidal ideation in people with chronic illness during COVID-19: The roles of stress, occupational burnout, and depression |  Location: Frio
  Eunjeong Ko, M.A.; Jina Chun, Ph.D., CRC; Jin-Hee Yu, M.A.; Minju Lee, M.S., CRC; Yongsu Song, M.A.; Chanhwi Kang, B.A.; Donghun Lee
  
  People with chronic illness and disability are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress during pandemic conditions like COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by Pearlin’s stress process model, this study examined a sequential mediation process in which pandemic-related stress contributes to suicidal ideation through burnout and depression. We collected responses from 195 employed adults with chronic illness in South Korea and path analysis was conducted to test direct and indirect associations among perceived stress, occupational burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation. Results supported a sequential pathway: stress significantly predicted burnout, which increased depressive symptoms, ultimately leading to suicidal ideation. These findings highlight occupational burnout as a critical intervention point to prevent pandemic stress from escalating into severe psychological outcomes among workers with chronic illness.
   
• The Psychosocial Adaptation of Older Adults: The Intersectionality between Age and Disability  |  Location: Blanco
  Patrina Wong, CRC, LPC-IT; Wen Zhang; Kaiqi Zhou, Ph.D., CRC, LPC-IT
  
  The aging process can involve the acquisition of disabilities and chronic health conditions. This, combined with the steadily rising numbers of older adults, reflects a growing need for us to better understand the aging and adaptation process of this population. However, little attention has been paid to this matter, and our understanding of how aging and disability may overlap and differ remains limited. This presentation underscores the importance of recognizing the unique needs and characteristics of older adults, emphasizing how current disability-focused psychosocial adaptation models cannot fully capture their experiences. The presentation will also consider how to best move forward by proposing a centrality approach to examining the adaptation process of aging, and offering future research directions.
   
• The VISTA-LC Model: Tri-Modal Workforce Development Intervention for Individuals with Long COVID  |  Location: Llano
  Zaccheus J. Ahonle, PhD., CRC; Madeline Castle, Ph.D.; Amy Rumrill, M.S., CRC; Phillip Rumrill, Ph.D., CRC; Malachy Bishop, Ph.D., CRC
  
  This session presents the VISTA-LC Model (Vocational Intervention for Symptom-Informed Transition and Adjustment - Long COVID), developed under the five-years RSA-funded Career Horizons Project (CHP) to promote competitive integrated employment (CIE) among individuals with disabilities resulting from or accompanied by Long COVID. Grounded in an integrated biopsychosocial–ecological (IBPE) framework, VISTA-LC integrates in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous counseling approaches across two tracks: CIE Placement and CIE Job Retention/Adjustment. The model includes a cross-cutting Family Engagement and SDOH component. Subaward partner (University of Wisconsin, Madison) developed the evaluation design, and co-developed the two tracks CIE Interventions, training vocational counselors to apply symptom-informed strategies within hybrid delivery modalities. Presenters will describe model structure, workforce training, and early scalability planning, emphasizing innovation in VR service design for chronic and fluctuating conditions such as Long COVID.
   
• Two Boys, Autism, and Tang Soo Do: A Dyadic Case Study  |  Location: Pecos
  Jonathan Drummond, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret), M.S., M.A., Ph.D. Candidate
  
  This dyadic case study follows a 30-month study on 12-year-old Max, a boy with autism training in Tang Soo Do (Korean martial art). Max was joined in class by a 14-year old boy (Tyler) with autism; the two have been training together for nearly 6 months (9 months by the AARPE conference). Changes in physiological capacity, martial arts mastery, medical support, sleep habits, eating behaviors, gross/fine motor skills, executive function, and academic performance will be addressed. Documented changes in social engagement/interaction as part of the boys’ martial arts journey will be emphasized in the presentation. Statistical controls will be noted. This case is part of the presenter’s doctoral dissertation effort—that insightful context will be provided for contextualization.  
   

3:10-4:10 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

• Building Smarter System: How Quality Data Enables Responsible AI in VR  |  Location: Rio Grande Ballroom
  Brian Phillips, Ph.D., CRC
  
  State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRAs) are increasingly interested in incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to improve oversight, service quality, and outcomes. Yet most agency data systems were originally designed for compliance and reporting—not for provider-level service guidance, service quality, or continuous improvement. As a result, the promise of AI in VR is constrained by the type of data being collected.
  
  This session introduces a scalable, field-tested approach for unlocking AI’s potential by grounding it in change-based, quality-focused data. Drawing from more than 79,000 student responses representing over 16,000 students across nine SVRAs and 21 states, presenters will demonstrate how secure, responsible AI can be layered onto high-quality transition data to support three high-impact use cases: 
  • Monitoring Insights to strengthen SVRA monitoring visits and provider oversight,
  • Instructional Insights to support Pre-ETS providers working with diverse learners, and
  • IEP-Aligned Planning Tools that leverage student data to support educators in creating more customized, actionable, and measurable goals.

Participants will leave with concrete examples of how AI can reduce burden, increase consistency, demonstrate return on investment, and accelerate workforce outcomes when agencies leverage the right data.

• The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Counseling: A Systematic Review of Literature  |  Location: Nueces
  Nichole Tichy, Ph.D., CRC; Sara Park, Ph.D., CRC, LPC
  
  Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling increasingly emphasize innovative, evidence-based approaches to enhance client well-being and professional practice. As an emergent tool in the field, the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides exciting and challenging opportunities for counseling professionals, their consumers, and stakeholders (e.g., employers, community constituents). A systematic review of literature explores the utilization of AI in practice across Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. This systematic review will follow PRISMA guidelines and establish inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify concrete literature demonstrating the use of AI across various counseling practices. Results from this literature review will aim to inform survey development to explore and advance innovative methods to support professionals in rehabilitation and mental health counseling.
   
• Innovation Through Systems Change: Building Supported Employment Capacity with Community, Discovery and Collaboration  |  Location: Frio
  Sharon Bergfeld, M.A.; Christina Muri Irland, M.A.; Jim Knauf
  
  Historically, competitive integrated employment (CIE) has not been accessible for individuals with more extensive support needs. As a result, these individuals are often placed in sheltered workshops earning below minimum wage. Recently the state of Illinois passed the Dignity in Pay Act (2025), which eliminates subminimum wage employment as an employment option beginning January 1, 2030.  To prepare for this historical change, an innovative and collaborative model was implemented—the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Illinois Project. This model demonstrates the transition of six subminimum wage sheltered workshop agencies across Illinois to CIE by advancing interdisciplinary rehabilitation and driving systems change to strengthen supported employment. This case study showcases the journey of one agency—The Workshop. 
   
• Sexual Health is Health: Training Rehabilitation Professionals on Sexuality in Counseling  |  Location: Pecos
  Alexandra Kriofske Mainella, Ph.D., CRC, LPC
  
  The 2024 standards set forth by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs include a new standard emphasizing the importance of sexual health and wellness as a part of overall health. To align with this new standard, counselor education programs, including rehabilitation counselor education programs must provide learning objectives for counselors in training to be able to address sexual health topics. This exemplary practice presentation developed gives some useful ideas and tips for teaching rehabilitation counselors in training the impact of sexual health, learning to broach sexuality in practice, working with a case study and developing overall awareness, knowledge and skills around the topic of sexual health.  Participants will leave with increased comfort and competence regarding sexual health and wellness in counselor education, training and practice.
   
• At the Intersections of Race, Poverty, and Geography: Predicting Self-Employment Outcomes Among People with Disabilities  |  Location: Llano
  Gemarco J. Peterson, Ph.D., CRC, NCC; Kelsey R. Webb, Ph.D., CRC, NCC, LCMHC-A, LCPC; Irfanullah Khan, Ph.D.; Joshua Simpson, M.S., LCMHC-A, APC, NCC; Shyreeta Hearne, M.S.
  
  Self-employment has long served as a pathway to economic independence for individuals with disabilities, yet disparities persist across multiple demographic factors. Despite national initiatives such as the Supporting Disabled Entrepreneur Act (2021) and the American Rescue Plan Act (2021), many people with disabilities face barriers that often restrict access to capital, business development resources, and vocational rehabilitation (VR) supports that foster entrepreneurship. While the Randolph-Sheppard Act and the state-federal VR program provide critical mechanisms for entrepreneurial engagement, self-employment rates among VR consumers remain significantly lower than among their non-VR or nondisabled counterparts. Yet and still, limited research has examined how self-employment varies across demographic factors among people with disabilities. Thus, this session presents findings from a national analysis using four waves (2020–2023) of the National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD), using Machine Learning methods, Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and XGBoost, to identify demographic and geographic predictors of self-employment among people with disabilities. Results showed lower self-employment odds for African Americans/Blacks living in poverty or urban areas and higher participation among sexual minorities, highlighting the need for policy and practice strategies that strengthen entrepreneurial access. 
   
• Psychosocial Adaptation to Substance Use Disorders in Midlife: Testing the Livneh Model  |  Location: Pecos
  Yongsu Song, M.A., Doctoral Candidate
  
  This study aims to examine the applicability of Livneh’s psychosocial adaptation model to individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) in midlife. To achieve this aim, the study reviews national trends of SUDs among midlife adults and evaluates traditional treatment approach. Moreover, the present study discusses Livneh’s psychosocial adaptation model as a potential framework for developing a new perspective on treatment for individuals with SUDs. Finally, the study presents recommendations for future research to advance understanding and application of psychosocial adaptation within this context.
   

4:20-5:20 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

• 25-Minute Sessions  |  Location: Rio Grande Ballroom
  • Employer Toolkit: Employment Practices the Sustain Competitive Employment for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
    Robyn L. Lewis, Ph.D.
    
    Employer attitudes, knowledge and awareness of disability, and hiring and retention practices impact the employment rates for persons with disabilities. Therefore, hiring will only increase when more employers are exposed to quality, easily accessible information on the benefits of hiring a person with a disability. With the phase out of 14(c) sheltered work, using employment practices that foster successful, competitive, and integrated employment is necessary to achieve community integration and meaningful employment. The Employer Toolkit explains best practices for employers to support workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Participants will leave with a guide to inform Employers on steps necessary to improve practices that sustain successful employment of individuals with I/DD.
     
  • Career Adaptation Among Youth with SMI Based on Career Construction Theory
    Eunjeong Ko, M.S.
    
    Young adulthood is a critical stage for career development, yet for many with serious mental illness (SMI), this period is disrupted by the onset of symptoms that interfere with education and employment. Despite the centrality of career development in recovery and well-being, limited research has explored how young adults with SMI construct meaningful careers while managing their mental illness. Based on Career Construction Theory (Savickas, 2013), this literature review examines how disability acceptance (adaptivity), career adaptability, and career engagement (adapting) contribute to the development of meaning in life (adaptation). This review highlights conceptual and empirical gaps in understanding the career adaptation process of young adults with SMI and proposes directions for future research and intervention design.

• Innovating Practices Using Person-Driven Planning to Dispel Myths with Evidence and Outcomes  |  Location: Nueces
  Sheryl Bobroff, M.S., CRC, LPCC; Michael “Luke” Clark; Joyce Clark; Kathleen Marie Oertle, Ph.D., CRC, LVRC-Utah; Cassandra McCall, Ph.D.; Sarah Yerelian, M.A., LPCC; Kiara Allen, M.S., CRC, APCC
  
  Person-driven planning outcomes are presented that actualize the legislative precedents and represent the shifts in language and practices needed to support human rights. The results dispel myths regarding process, predictability, and time with suggestions to overcome the limitations of traditional readiness, capacity, and/or other value-based assessment or resistive approaches. Not a program, person-driven planning pivots on teaching and practicing self-advocacy and self-determination to amplify the active engagement of individuals with disabilities and assist their families to advocate for them. The use of culturally appropriate and engaging formats is emphasized that from the person’s perspective are reachable, accessible, and personalized for direct impacts on informed choices, support for decision-making, and having a person-driven plan linking all other “I” forms.
   
• Win-Win” Approach to Workplace Accommodations for Autistic Workers: AI Agent Demonstration  |  Location: Frio
  Sara Park, Ph.D., CRC, LPC; Stuart Rumrill, Ph.D., LPC, CRC; Kaiqi Zhou, Ph.D., CRC, LPC-IT; Phillip Rumrill, Ph.D., CRC
  
  This session presents a pragmatic, strengths-based “Win-Win Approach” to workplace accommodation and a prototype assistive AI agent designed to support autistic workers, vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors, and employers. Grounded in a literature review and practice experience, we summarize barriers to job attainment and retention for autistic employees and dispel myths about the cost-effectiveness of accommodations. We demonstrate how the Win-Win approach translates autism-related needs into clear requests, negotiation scripts, and follow-up plans. A live demo of the prototype AI agent will showcase accommodation request rehearsal with targeted feedback. Attendees will leave with practical language, examples, and guidance for integrating the Win-Win approach processes, along with guidelines on how the assistive AI agent can be used in their settings. 
   
• Beyond Benefits: VR and Transition Pathways to Employment for SSI Youth  |  Location: Blanco
  Yazmin Castruita Rios, Ph.D., CRC; Nichole Tichy, Ph.D., CRC; Marcus Weathers Jr., Ph.D., CRC; Tolga Zencir, Ph.D.; Amalia Mendoza, M.S.
  
  Youth with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) continue to experience disproportionate rates of successful competitive integrated employment outcomes compared to their peers with disabilities who do not receive SSI and those without disabilities. Employment-related collaborative efforts, such as the Wisconsin Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (WI PROMISE) program, aim to improve successful postsecondary outcomes for youth receiving SSI. This presentation discusses the lived experiences of former WI PROMISE participants (seven parents, one youth) to better understand the program’s impact and their experiences receiving transition and vocational rehabilitation services. Results from this research can be used to inform researchers and educators on the importance of interagency collaboration when supporting youth receiving SSI. 
  
  
• Online Self-Administered Interventions as Gateways to Mental Health Support  |  Location: Llano
  Rouyi (Zoey) Chen, M.S., CRC; Kyo Bin Jeon, M.A.
  
  This scoping review examines how online self-administered psychological interventions influence mental health outcomes, user experiences, and self-stigma. Rather than viewing these digital tools as replacements for traditional services, this review explores their role as accessible gateway interventions. The review will map current evidence, critically evaluate effective and problematic intervention features, and examine trends in how these tools reduce psychological distress and self-stigma while improving help-seeking attitudes. Based on this analysis, the review will provide recommendations for future intervention design and rehabilitation practitioner engagement with these technologies. Results will emphasize how these interventions can serve as initial low-intensity options within comprehensive service systems, enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities and other underserved populations facing resource or stigma-related barriers.
   
• Employment – Reaching your Dreams  |  Location: Pecos
  Regina Kaiser
  
  Work is an essential step on the pathway to Wellness and Recovery. Supported Employment studies have shown that individuals with mental illness are able to work competitively in the community. We will provide approaches to employment that can be used with a variety of populations in a variety of settings to help individuals reach their dreams of employment.
   

5:45-7:00 p.m. ARRPE Awards Reception  |  Location: Garden Terrace

Appetizers provided. Cash bar available; both cash and card payments accepted.

AT A Glance FULL SCHEDULE        Day 1 Conference Schedule