Hi, my name is Lola and I am the Advocacy Coordinator with the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD). I want to personally invite you to join us for our first-ever SPEAK Up! Conference. SPEAK Up! stands for Self-advocates Promoting Empowerment and  Access in Kansas. 

Speak Up & Out with KCDD at a conference where voices are amplified, barriers are broken, and change is ignited! This groundbreaking event is your opportunity to be part of a movement that champions inclusivity, accessibility, and equality for all. 

Engage with and gain valuable insights on current and new legislative priorities from keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. 

Registration

Registration for the SPEAK Conference is CLOSED, but if you would like to get on the waiting list, please email lola@kcdd.org

Event Details

Date 📅
10/4/24

Time 🕒
11am - 4pm

Venue 🏨
Down Syndrome Innovations - 5916 Dearborn St. Mission, KS 66202

Featured Speakers

Dive into the power of lived experiences and expert insights from leading advocates, activists, and organizations in the disability community. Engage in thought-provoking discussions, inspiring keynotes, and interactive workshops that address the most pressing issues facing individuals with disabilities today. If you have any questions regarding disability or advocacy you have come to the right place where you can ask them to a panel of self-advocates in a break-out session. 

Topics Covered

Delve into a diverse range of topics including:

  • Disability Rights and Legislation 

  • Accessible Design and Technology 

  • Employment and Workforce Inclusion

  • Health and Wellness Advocacy

  • Education and Accessibility

  • Intersectionality and Diversity

  • Empowerment and Self-Advocacy

Networking Opportunities

Connect with fellow advocates, policymakers, educators, and industry leaders who share your passion for disability rights and inclusion. Forge meaningful connections, share strategies, and collaborate on initiatives that drive positive change in your community and beyond.

Conference Agenda

11:30 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks - Lola Kernell, Advocacy Coordinator, KCDD 

 

11:35 AM – Advocacy 101 Panel 

 

12:45 PM –  Lunch Break 

 

1:00 PM – Breakout Sessions

  1. Key Legislative Priorities Across the Lifespan

  2. Building an Advocacy Toolkit Panel 

 

1:45 PM – Networking Break

 

2:00 PM – Legislative Advocacy Fireside Chat - Moderated by Lola Kernell

 

2:45 PM – Networking Break

 

3:00 PM – What’s the KCDD Advocacy “Scoop” for 2025? - Ice Cream provided by The Golden Scoop 

  • Advocacy Goal Setting 

  • How to Join the KCDD Change Agent Program

  • KCDD’s Board & Appointment’s Project 

  • Looking Ahead to the Kansas 2025 Legislative Session