October 31, 2025

PEAL Announces Presenters for #NextGen Philly

#NextGen Philly is an inspiring opportunity for youth, families, and professionals committed to inclusion and leadership! The PEAL Center and PEAC invite you to #NextGen Philly: From Awareness to Action with Resilience for Success, a one-day conference on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Arcadia University (Greater Philadelphia).
This event brings together advocates, educators, families, and youth with disabilities for a day filled with learning, connection, and empowerment.

Learn more about the presenters at #NextGen Philly and join us for dynamic breakout sessions that foster networking, spark new ideas, and deepen learning.

Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: Arcadia University, Commons Hall, 450 S. Easton Blvd., Glenside, PA 19038

Learn More & Register: https://pealcenter.org/nextgen

Lisa Aquila

Lisa Aquila is a resident of Northeast Philadelphia and has advocated for the independent living movement since the early 1990s. Lisa worked as a personal care attendant in Home & Community-based services from 2006 until 2013, when she acquired a disability. Lisa has been an active volunteer for Disability Equality in Education since 2017. Lisa lobbied for the passage of Disability Inclusive Curriculum with her state representative, Joseph Hohenstein. She co-founded the Coalition on Disability Inclusive Curriculum in 2021 to build awareness and support for Pennsylvania’s Disability Inclusive Curriculum Legislation, which was made into law in July 2022. Since then, the Coalition has grown to include members from many other states. Lisa is the proud Board Vice Chair for Disability Equality in Education and serves as their outreach Liaison. Lisa has co-written some lessons on The Disability Equality In Education website and is an active member of Penn Tash Education Committee.

Icylee L. Basketbill

Session - Social Connections: Building Strong Relationships & Support Systems

Icylee is a parent of a 20-year-old daughter diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Icylee is the Lead Program Facilitator with Philadelphia Area Sexual Health Initiative (PASHI) at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), where she facilitates sexual health prevention programs for neurotypical and neurodiverse young adults across Philadelphia. Icylee obtained an Associate of Arts in Human Services from Harcum College (2020) and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a minor in Psychology (2022) from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA. Icylee also works for the Philadelphia Autism Project with the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University as the Family and Community Liaison. Icylee is a Support Broker, ODP-Certified, and a Certified Parent Café Trainer in P.A., as well as a Family Trainer with the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. Icylee is a current member of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute Leadership Council and a committee member of the DHAN- Disability Health Action Network with the Arc of PA, Families to the Max (F2MAX) Council, and a prior board member of the PEAL Center and Information Sharing and Advisory Committee subISAC under ODP - Office of Developmental Programs. In 2024, Icylee joined The Color of Autism Foundation, as a Mentor and Educational Trainer, where she currently facilitates parent support groups and parent trainings to discuss various topics such as: Toilet Training, Challenging Behaviors, Social Connections, and continues to help educate and support families in recognizing the stages of emotions when receiving a diagnosis for neurodiverse loved ones.

Alyssa Blasko, Ph.D., BCBA

Dr. Alyssa Blasko is an Assistant Professor who completed her PhD in Special Education at Lehigh University. She holds a B.S. in Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with an Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement and a M.Ed. in Special Education from Lehigh University. Dr. Blasko is a certified special education and general education teacher in Pennsylvania and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. Her teaching background primarily includes supporting students diagnosed with autism and emotional and behavioral disabilities. Her research interests include training and developing high-quality Individualized Education Programs, applied behavior analysis, and using evidence-based practices in special education classrooms.

Ashlee M. Brown, PhD, BCBA, LBS

Session - From Paper to Practice: Navigating Preschool EI IEPs in PA

Dr. Brown has spent 18 years serving children with disabilities and their families in the Philadelphia, PA area. Throughout those years, Dr. Brown served as a Special Education Teacher, as well as a Special Education Administrator. She is a certified Special and General Education Teacher, a certified PA Supervisor of Special Education, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and a Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS). Dr. Brown received her Ph.D. in Special Education from Temple University in 2019. Before joining WCU, Dr. Brown spent 11 years as a special education leader in the Preschool Early Intervention system in Philadelphia. Her leadership efforts included serving as the Director of a Private Academic School for young children with Autism, the implementation of large-scale program improvement efforts across Philadelphia, coaching support in the application of special education regulations, spearheading professional development for approximately 2,000 special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service personnel, multiple family engagement initiatives, and numerous research projects alongside several local universities. Dr. Brown has also served as an Adjunct Professor at La Salle University since 2015 and on the Executive Board of the PA Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children (PACEC) since 2021. Dr. Brown is dedicated to improving special education services for children and families. Her research interests include the equitable application of special education law in diverse settings, the implementation of evidence-based practices for young children with disabilities and their families, and developing effective professional development structures for in-service educators and related personnel.

Sara Crimm

Session: Success and Empowerment - High School and Beyond

Sara is co-founder and director of Families CCAN. Her motivation in creating this nonprofit is to build connections and community and to provide a forum where the expertise, vision, and strengths of individuals with disabilities and their families can be shared. She is dedicated to creating new models for adults with disabilities to live, work, and play in their communities. Since Families CCAN's founding, she has helped develop unique opportunities for families and individuals to learn and take steps towards independence. Sara has over 25 years' experience supporting and leading nonprofits in the Philadelphia area. She is the parent of 3 adult children; her middle son is a nonspeaking autistic. His determination to exercise choice and agency in his own life continues to inform and guide Sara's efforts.

Michele Gardner

Session - From Access to Belonging: Driving Systemic Change in Inclusive Education, Inclusion = Civil Rights: Harnessing Laws & Research For Systemic Change

Michele Gardner serves as All In's Executive Director, joining the team with 26 years of experience in the New Jersey public schools, filling a variety of roles, including paraprofessional, special education teacher, LDTC, Supervisor, Assistant Principal, and Director of Special Services. She has also been an adjunct instructor with The College of New Jersey for 18 years for the Department of Special Education, Language & Literacy. Michele dedicated her administrative career to making public schools inclusive spaces for students with a wide range of learning abilities. She is also the recipient of the 2020 NJCIE Inclusion Honors award and the 2020 NJASA Special Education Administrator of the Year.

Alan Holdsworth

Alan Holdsworth, AKA Johnny Crescendo Alan has been an educator on disability rights for 30 years as the first Vanguard of Educators through his music and poetry. He was schooled by the Giants of the disability rights movement. His major achievements include creating the First Independent Living Program for people with intellectual disabilities, developing comprehensive training for educators and core coordinators, being Central to the passage of disability Discrimination Act in the UK, leaving a Grassroots movement D.A.N. - the direct action Network to make public transport accessible. Alan has been educating others for almost 40 years about disability issues. He is a world-famous disability rights Singer-songwriter And one of the forefathers of the disability Arts movement. In 2023, Allen received the inaugural Duty Human Advocacy Award from the national Independent Living Council. Alan is the innovator of Disability Pride celebrations and the Disability Inclusive Curriculum, the first of its kind in the US.

Julie Lang

Julie is an Inclusion Facilitator for All In. She has over 27 years of experience teaching and coaching in the NJ public school system. Her areas of expertise are teaching and co-teaching in an inclusive classroom, curriculum, literacy development, and literacy instruction. Julie is currently a doctoral candidate studying Instructional Leadership: Coaching and Mentoring.

Dr. Tanya Manning-Yarde

Session - Parents as Drivers of Inclusive Education

Tanya is an educator, editor, and creator dedicated to amplifying neurodiverse voices and empowering families. With over two decades of experience across education and editorial work, she brings a rare blend of classroom insight, storytelling skill, and a deep commitment to community connection. The mother of two sons, one of whom is diagnosed with Autism and speech delay, she is the creator and host of the podcast and YouTube channel Who Needs Shoes?, a platform devoted to building community among those impacted by autism. She also produces Father.Son.Galaxy., her family’s podcast and YouTube channel that celebrates Star Wars, Marvel, family literacy, and neurodiversity. The family's advocacy was recognized this past summer with a citation from Philadelphia Councilwoman Kendra Brooks, and featured as a panelist team for National Head Start. As a writer, Dr. Manning-Yarde creates picture books featuring neurodiverse main characters and is represented by literary agent Bridgette Kam of Westwood Creative Artists. Through her business, TMY Editing Services, she helps authors and organizations communicate clearly and effectively, specializing in transforming complex ideas into meaningful, accessible content. Drawing on her years as a PK–16 educator, instructional coach, and editor, Tanya combines professional expertise with lived family experience to help parents, educators, and creators nurture both literacy and inclusion at home and beyond.

Abby Martucci

Abby has over 20 years of experience in person-centered planning. She came to Families CCAN in early
2021, after working in the Supports Coordination world for many years. She holds a Bachelor's degree
from Oberlin College and a Master's degree in Sociology with a concentration in Stratification and Inequality from Mississippi State University. In her work with Families CCAN, she promotes strengths-based solutions to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live their best lives. Dedicated to the promotion of radical inclusion, Abby works beside families and individuals as they move towards their own person-centered vision for independence.