May 2011

Thank you for registering for the 2011 Region 5 Parent

Technical Assistance Conference: Learning to Surf: Riding the
Waves of Change! We find tremendous value in this annual
gathering where Center Directors, Staff, and Board members
from Region 5 as well as other colleagues from the OSEP TA
and D network can come together, learn, network, and share
successes and challenges!

We are writing to confirm your registration and provide you with

some general conference details. To quote the famous song by
Bob Dylan, “The Times They Are a-Changin’”. Change is fairly
constant in both life and in work, but right now things feel
especially dynamic. So, we decided a fitting them for the 2011
Region 5 Parent Technical Assistance Conference is Learning to
Surf: Riding the Waves of Change!

A Few Important Notes:

With surfing as our theme, we thought a fitting group photo would be everyone posing in
Hawaiian-style shirts! So, if you happen to have a Hawaiian shirt, please bring it for the
Region 5 group photo! We will bring a few extras too!

As Parent Centers, we all have a commitment to using technology whenever possible

and we once again encourage each of you to bring your laptop computers if you have
them. There will be computers available to use in the technology lab, but there will be
opportunities for you to access online resources during many of the conference sessions.

Approved conference and session materials will be shared primarily via the Region 5 PTAC website,
www.region5ptac.org. Some materials may be posted after the conference so be sure to check back.

Lodging & Arrival:

You should have already made your lodging reservations at the Hotel Monaco
in downtown Denver. If you have not, the cut off date for the conference room
block has passed. There may still be rooms available but there are no
guarantees for availability or rates. If you still need to book your room, call the
Hotel Monaco directly at 303.296.1717 being sure to request the “Region 5
Parent Technical Assistance Center” block.

All participants should fly in and out of the Denver International Airport (DIA). DIA is located approximately 25
miles from the Hotel Monaco. A map from the DIA to the Hotel Monaco is included on page 4. The Hotel
Monaco’s recommended transportation options between DIA and the Hotel Monaco include:
• Super Shuttle: $19 per person, each way. This is a shared ride meaning that if there are other shuttle
passengers traveling to different locations, there may be multiple stops.
• Taxis: There is a flat rate taxi fee of $55 each way between DIA and Downtown Denver. You can request this
rate from any taxi company, but do be sure to confirm they will honor the $55 flat rate airport fee before
traveling.

If you are driving or renting a car, exclusive valet parking is available at the Hotel Monaco for $29 per day with in
and out privileges. While there are other parking options near the hotel, many do not honor in and out privileges
which may increase the per day charge when compared to the Hotel Monaco’s valet.

(continued next page)

Conference Schedule:
Reception: Networking, peer-to-peer connections, and fun are all essential
components of our annual gathering! And, one of the best times to accomplish these
things is during the reception, which will be at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, which is
located inside the historic Clocktower in downtown Denver! A variety of hors
d’oeuvres will be provided, a cash bar will be available, and eclectic entertainment will
include performances from a magician and an aerialist! Please RSVP by email to
conference@peakparent.org with the number of guests if you plan on attending.

Sessions: All conference sessions and the technology lab/office will be located on the
first floor of the Hotel Monaco. Check out the Conference Outcomes, included on
page 3, to get an idea about session content at the 2011 Region 5 Parent Technical
Assistance Conference: Learning to Surf: Riding the Waves of Change!

Wednesday, June 1:
9:00 am – 2:00 pm Registration Check-In
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Directors’ Meeting Requirement
12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch for All Participants
1:00 – 4:45 pm Conference Opening & Sessions Begin

Thursday, June 2:
8:00 – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am – 4:30 pm Conference Sessions, Including Lunch
5:00 – 6:30 pm Conference Reception

Friday, June 3:
7:30 – 8:00 am Breakfast
8:30 am – 2:00 pm Conference Sessions, Including Lunch
2:00 pm Close of Conference

Weather:
In summer, Denver enjoys low relative humidity, making for beautiful, sun-filled days and cool, comfortable
evenings. The mild weather is due in part to the city's altitude: 5,280 feet above sea level, or exactly a mile high.
Click here to learn about few ways to make your visit more comfortable at this altitude. Be sure to check the
weather forecast before you pack, and it may be wise to bring a sweater or light jacket for evening walks and the
hotel’s air conditioning.

Location Highlights, Denver Attractions, & Summer Events:

Denver is a vibrant city with lots to see and do. Find out what Denver has to offer by visiting www.denver.org. The
Hotel Monaco website’s Concierge link also has a wealth of resources on sports, shopping, museums,
amusement parks, tours, performing arts, parks and zoos, and events - click here to learn more.

Denver’s 16th Street Mall: The Hotel Monaco is located only 2 blocks from the historic 16th Street Mall! The
16th street mall has a free bus system that can take you from the innovative Denver Millennium Bridge, to Coors
Field (home of the Colorado Rockies), and to Capitol Hill, the Denver Mint, and the Denver Art Museum! We hope
you take advantage of this free and easy way to check out the downtown Denver area!

Light Rail System: There is also a Light Rail station within walking distance of the Hotel Monaco, so if you want to
adventure farther from downtown it is within your reach! Click here to view the Light Rail map and schedules.

Please contact Patricia or Bronwen at the PEAK office if we can help with any of your conference planning. We
look forward to seeing you soon and are delighted you will be joining us in Denver.

The Region 5 Technical Assistance Team

Barb, Beth, Jacey, Patricia, Roger, and Bronwen

 Conference Outcomes

Region 5 Conference participants will:

1. Network with staff and Board from other Region 5 Parent

Centers to share knowledge, resources, and expertise.

2. Communicate with OSEP, NPTAC, and RPTAC leadership

regarding information current parent center issues
(Directors’ Session).

3. Discover innovative and creative ways to increase the

effectiveness of Parent Centers in their online marketing,
messaging, and outreach.

4. Gain best practice strategies for creating and designing

effective websites, email campaigns, and presence on
social media sites.

5. Learn strategies to use volunteers effectively.

6. Expand insight into the perspectives and experiences of people with disabilities regarding leadership, self-
advocacy, assistive technology, employment and planning for the future.

7. Learn practical strategies and the impact of technology on literacy for students (using search engines
efficiently, evaluating information found on websites, and creating multimedia projects).

8. Learn about effective ways to support refugee families to increase student attendance and school
performance, to bolster parent and family engagement with schools and educational expectations, and to
increase the knowledge and skills of school staff when working with refugee families.

9. Discover new effective strategies for developing materials in ANY language to increase capacity for
reaching out to specific diverse populations.

10. Learn strategies for increasing staff and directors’ capacity to adapt to change.

11. Gain strategies that families, employers, and individuals can utilize when supporting the employment of
persons with disabilities.

12. Enhance technology consideration, implementation, and ongoing evaluation for students with disabilities
in P-12 settings with an emphasis on technology-based solutions that enhance meaningful access to the
general education curriculum as well as ways families can be a critical partner in technology consideration
and subsequent use.

13. Gain strategies for fund generation for the sustainability of Parent Centers.

14. Develop succession planning and delegation skills.

15. Learn about available, effective, useful online video resources.

Denver International Airport to the Hotel Monaco in Downtown Denver: