Voices In Disability Conference | McHenry County College

Hosted by MCC's Access and Disability Services Department

Friday, October 23 | 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Join MCC's Access and Disability Services Department for an inspiring morning of learning, connection, and community at the Voices in Disability Conference, honoring Disability Awareness Month. This event brings together educators, students, families, and community members to explore critical topics surrounding accessibility, transition planning, career pathways, and inclusion. The event is free and open to the public. We will provide a light breakfast and lunch. Register by October 12.

Samyuktha Neeraja, disability advocate, speaker, and nonprofit leader

Keynote Speaker: Samyuktha Neeraja

Samyuktha Neeraja is an accomplished professional with over ten years of experience in the association and nonprofit industry, specializing in membership and chapter relations. With a Certified Association Executive credential and a Master of Public Health degree, she advocates for the disability community through volunteer efforts and speaking engagements. She shares her lived experiences as a South Asian woman with dwarfism to help organizations build cultures of belonging where everyone can thrive. Additionally, she co-hosts the podcast “A Little Perspective,” writes about her experiences traveling on the blog “Just a Little Traveling,” and is a contributing author of the best-selling anthology, “A Little Perspective: Real Stories of Little Ladies.”

Breakout Sessions and Recording Access:

New this year, the conference offers both on-site and online registration. Virtual registrants will receive recordings of the keynote and breakout sessions after the conference instead of attending live. Recordings will also be available for in-person attendees, letting all registrants revisit sessions or catch anything they missed.

To customize your conference experience, attendees can choose two live breakout sessions during the event, one from Breakout Session 1 and one from Breakout Session 2. Whether you join live for the discussions or review session content later, all registered participants will receive access to recordings after the conference.

Breakout Session 1

Normalizing Presence: Disability An Expected Part of Everyday Life

Disability is a natural part of the human experience, yet people with disabilities are too often viewed as exceptions rather than expected members of our communities. This session explores what it means to normalize the presence of people with disabilities across schools, workplaces, public spaces, and everyday life. Through discussion, real-world examples, and practical strategies, participants will examine how representation, accessibility, language, and authentic relationships help create cultures of belonging.

Beyond the Behavior Plan: Preparing Students for Behavioral Expectations in College and Adulthood

Students who receive behavioral supports in K–12 settings often encounter a very different landscape after high school. This session will explore how behavior plans, structured supports, and intervention strategies change as students transition to college, employment, and other adult environments. Participants will learn how to help students develop self-regulation, problem-solving, and accountability skills that promote success beyond graduation. Practical strategies and real-world examples will help families and professionals better prepare students for the expectations of adulthood.

Breakout Session 2

What’s Next? Ability in Action for Career Pathways

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion on how life-changing experiences can reshape educational and career pathways. Hear from experts, advocates, and individuals with lived experience as they share information on adapting to their next steps. Gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that recognize strengths, expand possibilities, and inspire action. Whether you’re an educator, professional, family member, student, or community member, this session will provide practical insights on empowering individuals to achieve their goals and thrive in their career pathway.

Finding their Voice: Carrying Forward the Voices of Disability

Every person leaves behind more than memories: they leave values, lessons, stories, and ways of seeing the world that continue to shape our lives. Through storytelling, reflection, and practical strategies, this session explores how we can carry these legacies forward within our families, communities, and disability culture. Participants will leave with tools for transforming remembrance into everyday practice, ensuring that the wisdom and lived experiences of people with disabilities continue to strengthen our relationships, inform our communities, and shape our future.

If you need accommodations (such as ASL interpretation, Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), or accessible materials), please notify our office at least two weeks before the event. You can outline your accommodation needs on the registration form or by emailing us at disabilityservices@mchenry.edu.