DVR Fall Conference

This year’s 2021 Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Fall Conference was held in Deadwood Oct 26th-28th. The theme was “The Challenge of Change” and focused on all the changes that have occured in the field of employment, for

people with disabilities through the COVID pandemic. As always, the conference was full of amazing keynote speakers, breakout sessions and time to network with other agencies, within the state. A wealth of information was gathered and brought back to ABS that will help us to better support people in their

employment goals.

Keynote speaker, Haley Moss has made international headlines for becoming the first documented openly autistic attorney admitted to the Florida Bar.  Haley spoke about the discomfort some people have around discussing disabilities and gave tools to help non-disabled people move forward and to help build a bridge between people with and without disabilities. She helped to facilitate effective ways to have real conversations that are meaningful to everyone.

Also presenting was Hoop Dancer, Dallas Chief Eagle II.  Dallas is a K-12 Art teacher with a master’s degree in guidance

counseling and personal services.  He is a recognized master of the Lakota hoop dance. Chief Eagle has worked as an artist and mentors others through his hoop dance studio in the All Nations Gathering Center on Pine Ridge.  A member of the Rosebud Lakota Nation, Chief Eagle shared his story of traditional hoop dance along with the story of learning to develop one’s own character.