The following is the FINAL program and schedule for the 2024 ATRA Annual Conference in Kansas City, MO. Presentations, times and other details have been finalized but may change onsite due to unforeseeable circumstances.
Regarding CEUs, NCTRC has pre-approved all educational sessions. Poster presentations are not eligible for CEUs. For specialty certification designation, please check the pdf version of the program.
Please note that all attendees, exhibitors, and guests are expected to follow the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct. To review this, please visit https://www.pathlms.com/atra/courses/63978/documents/98441
Introducing the Life Spaces Practice Model
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ab5bfafc0da7b805c28ad25a312d7f32.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Dr. Shay Dawson, Central Michigan University")
Dr. Shay Dawson, Central Michigan University
Credentials
PhD, CTRS
Biographical Information
Dr. Shay Dawson is an Associate Professor of Recreational Therapy & Rehabilitation as well as Disability Studies & Community Inclusion within the College of Education and Human Services at Central Michigan University. Dr. Dawson received his PhD from Indiana University’s School of Public Health-Bloomington. His research interests focus on the development of evidence-based psychosocial support programs for youth and families impacted by chronic illness, disability, and life stressors. Shay is the former Director of Bradford Woods, Indiana University’s 2,500 acre fully accessible outdoor center offering pediatric medical summer camps as well as therapeutic programs focused on military, family, and equine-assisted activities for people with disabilities. Leadership roles include the former Board Chair for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation (NCTRC), Recreational Therapy Undergraduate Academic Coordinator at Indiana University and CMU, Supervisor for the Therapeutic Services Behavioral Health Department at Bethesda Hospital, and as an Associate Editor for both the American Journal of Recreation Therapy and the Therapeutic Recreation Journal. Shay offers a faculty led student trip to Serbia focused on disability specific programming in East Europe and has several professional projects in this region of the world. Dr. Dawson has received the Michigan Association of State Universities Distinguished Professor of the Year Award, the David Austin Member of the Year award from the Recreation Therapists of Indiana, as well as the Unsung Hero Award and two adjunct teacher of the year awards from Indiana University.