Join McHenry County College (MCC) for an inspiring morning of learning, connection, and community at the Voices in Disability Conference, held in honor of Disability Awareness Month. The event, hosted by MCC’s Access and Disability Department, will take place Friday, October 23 from 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. at the College’s Engagement Hall, 8900 US Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear powerful firsthand stories, connect with other professionals and advocates, learn about challenges and solutions in the disability community, and be part of building a more inclusive future.
The conference features keynote speaker Samyuktha Neeraja, a disability advocate, speaker and nonprofit leader who draws on her lived experience as a South Asian woman with dwarfism to help organizations create cultures where everyone can belong and thrive. She has more than 10 years of experience in the association and nonprofit industry and is a Certified Association Executive and Master of Public Health. In addition to her advocacy and speaking work, Neeraja co-hosts the podcast “A Little Perspective,” writes about accessible travel, and is a contributing author to the bestselling anthology “A Little Perspective: Real Stories of Little Ladies.
“Creating more inclusive communities is something we all have a role in,” said Naina Richards, Director of Access and Disability Services at MCC. “Whether you work in education, serve as a disability professional or advocate, lead an organization, or simply want to better understand the experiences of people with disabilities, this conference offers an opportunity to broaden your perspective and consider how you can help create meaningful change.”
Following the featured presentation, attendees can choose two breakout sessions exploring topics related to disability, inclusion, accessibility, education, and career pathways.
“Attendees of last year’s conference told us that the keynote was moving and helped shed light on a rare condition, while the breakout sessions provided new information they could take with them into their daily lives,” Richards said. “That kind of response reinforces why creating space for these conversations is so important.”
New this year, the conference will offer both in-person and virtual registration options. Virtual registrants will receive recordings of the keynote and breakout sessions after the conference rather than attending the event live. Recordings also will be available to in-person attendees, allowing all registrants to revisit sessions or catch anything they may have missed.
The event is free and open to the public. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register here by October 12.
For questions, contact disabilityservices@mchenry.edu.
