SPEAK logo

The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with Down Syndrome Innovations, is proud to host the 3rd Annual SPEAK Up! (Self-advocates Promoting Empowerment and Access in Kansas) conference — a free event designed for self-advocates, parents, family members, caregivers, and professionals on Friday, November 6th, from 8 AM to 3 PM in Wichita at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview.

This empowering day will feature inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking discussions led by advocates, activists, organizations, as well as federal and state financial, legal, and benefits experts working to enhance resources and information for Kansans with IDD. Participants will explore real-life experiences and expert perspectives on the most critical issues facing individuals with disabilities and their families today.

KCDD Logo

Hosted By

Down Syndrome Innovations logo

Event Details

Date 📅
Friday, November 6, 2026

Time 🕒
8 am - 3 pm*
Registration opens at 8 am and the conference starts at 8:30 am

Venue 🏨
Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview
400 W Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202 (Near Old Town)

Registration Deadline: October 15, 2026

REGISTER NOW

Conference Overview

There will be two tracks – a self-advocate track led by KCDD Advocacy Coordinator Lola Kernell, and a parent/caregiver track led by KCDD and DSI.

The day will begin with a kick-off welcome keynote for self-advocates and caregivers!

The day will wrap up with everyone coming together for ADA, ABLE, and What is the Next Landmark Disability Rights Law? Panel with Sara Hart Weir, Executive Director of KCDD, Lola Kernell, Advocacy Coordinator of KCDD, and Sandy Swift Parrino, former chairwoman of the National Council on Disabilities and the champion of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and SPEAK Up! for a more inclusive future!

Four people are standing/sitting around a table with green grass and a fountain in the background. A man is sitting behind the table with some paperwork in front of him and is signing one of them with a pen in his hand.

Photo description: Four people are standing/sitting around a table with green grass and a fountain in the background. A man is sitting behind the table with some paperwork in front of him and is signing one of them with a pen in his hand. 

REGISTER NOW

Agenda

8:30 AM: Welcome/Opening Remarks (Basin Ballroom 1 & 2)

  • Lola Kernell, Advocacy Coordinator, KCDD

  • CJ Vallejo, Family and Outreach Coordinator, DSI

  • Karey Padding, Executive Director, Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Kansas Pediatric Foundation/Chair, KCDD

9:00 AM: Breakout Session #1

  • Self-Advocate Track 1: Be Your Own Boss: Creating Opportunities for Yourself (Station Ballroom)

Panelists: 

  • Moderator: Ricardo “Ricky” Hernandez, Founder and President of Service, United People Corp. & Council Member, KCDD

  • Stephanie Swanson, Founder, CEO, & BOD Chair, The Empower Network 

  • Magda Carlos-Trevino, Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2026, CEO, MS Consulting & Training, & Bilingual Sales Specialist, WinPro Solutions Inc

Breakout Session #2: 

Self-Advocate Track: My Health, My Choices: Navigating Healthcare Transitions (Basin Ballroom 3)

Keynote:

  • Stephanie Pratt, Transition to Adulthood Program Manager, Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Breakout Session #3: 

Caregiver Track: Your Guide to IEPs: Advocating for Your Child (Basin Ballroom 1 & 2)

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Karey Padding, Executive Director, Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Kansas Pediatric Foundation/Chair, KCDD 

  • Hannah Kenney, Mixed Abilities Teacher, Eisenhower High School (Goddard, KS) 

  • Alexander (Xander) Williams, Senior, Eisenhower High School (Goddard, KS) 

10:00 AM: 

Breakout Session #1

  • Self-Advocate Track: Nothing About Me Without Me: Supported Decision-Making in Action (Basin Ballroom 1 and 2)

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Jeannette Livingston, Deputy Director, Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization (SCDDO)

  • Lola Kernell, Advocacy Coordinator, KCDD 

  • Sherri Holle, Academic Program Specialist, Wichita State University’s (WSU) Transition to Teaching program

  • Jonathan Martinis, Founder, Jonathan Gerald Martinis, LLC

Breakout Session #2

Caregiver Track 1: Making Systems Work for You: Tips from the Experts (Station Ballroom) 

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Anita Breen, Council Member, KCDD

  • Corby Lockwood, Program Integrity and Compliance Specialist and I/DD Waiver Program Manager, KDADS 

  • Amanda Ramirez, Director of Targeted Case Management, Ability Point 

  • Hillary Zwetzig, Director of Education and Outreach, Mental Health America of South Central Kansas

  • Megan Shepard, Policy and Program Oversight Director for Long-Term Services and Supports, KDADS

Breakout Session #3

Caregiver Track 2: Your Roadmap to Employment Support  (Basin Ballroom 3)

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Amy Schmierbach, Art Teacher, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) & Council Member, KCDD

  • Daniel Decker, Director of Rehabilitation Services, DCF

  • Kaiden Easter, Self-Advocate & Auburn Hills Golf Course Employee

  • Liz Long, Director of Working Healthy, KDHE

  • Elizabeth VanVleck, Deputy Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Policies and Procedures, DCF

11:00 AM: Break

11:15 AM: Group Session - both caregivers and self-advocates (Basin Ballroom 1 & 2)

  • Growing Up Strong: Navigating Changes and Relationships

Topics:

  • Support Systems

  • Life Transitions

  • Self-Advocacy

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Drew Duncan, Section Chief, Screening and Surveillance, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)

  • Scotti Brackett, RN, APRN, FNP, Nurse Practitioner, Children's Mercy Kansas City/Parent

  • Kelly Israel, Deputy Director, Not Dead Yet 

  • Beth Orth-Voegeli, Program Manager of Greater Expectations, Independent Living Resource Center

  • Skylar Schwindt, Office Specialist, Families Together & Council Member, KCDD

12:15 PM: Lunch 

KCDD Transition Coordinator Council (TCC) Roundtable - Invite Only (Mezzanine Level)


1:15 PM: 

Breakout Session #1

  • Self-Advocate Track: Strong Minds, Strong Voices, Strong Advocates, Mental Health Session (Station Ballroom)

Panelists:

  • Jason Crippen, Transition Advisor & Founder, What's Next?! Disability Employment Services & USD 265

  • Whit Downing, VP of Policy & Programming, KCDD  

Breakout Session #2 

  • Self-Advocate Track 2: Art That Moves People: Creative Ways to Advocate (Basin Ballroom 3) 

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Lola Kernell, Advocacy Coordinator, KCDD

  • Daniel McLean, Artist and Self-Advocate

  • Oliver Lair, Lead Interviewer of the SPEAK Up Docuseries, KCDD

  • Kasey Nickel, Para-athlete, Writer, & Self-Advocate 

  • Elizabeth Varelman, Founder, AbilityArtz Foundation

Breakout Session #3

  • Caregiver Track: When Plans Change: What Families Can Do (Basin Ballroom 1 & 2)

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Samantha Brant, Council Member, KCDD

  • Tami Allen, Co-Executive Director, Families Together  

  • Jennifer Coughlin, Targeted Case Manager—Adult Services, Targeted Case Management of Kansas 

  • Megan DeBoom, Director of Therapeutic Services, DSI

  • Ricardo “Ricky” Hernandez, Founder and President of Service, United People Corp. & Council Member, KCDD

  • Gary Lasley, Associate Director of Practicum Education, University of Kansas – School of Social Welfare (KUSSW)

2:00 PM: Break

2:15 PM: Closing Session: ADA, ABLE, and Beyond: What’s Next for Disability Rights (Basin Ballroom 1 & 2)

Panelists:

  • Moderator: Amanda Myers, CESP, Director of Employment Services, DSI 

  • Sara Hart Weir, Executive Director, KCDD

  • Lola Kernell, Advocacy Coordinator, KCDD

3:00 PM: Close

Perri Spencer Award

Perri Spencer was a self-advocate, KCDD Council Member, and passionate advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Perri believed in the power of using your voice. He shared his story, spoke up about issues that mattered to people with IDD, advocated for himself and others, and challenged barriers.

Nominate a self-advocate who is using their voice to make Kansas better for people with IDD.

We're looking for someone who demonstrates:

  • Courage in sharing their story

  • Advocacy for themselves and others

  • Leadership in their community

  • A willingness to speak up and challenge barriers

  • Passion and determination to create change

Nominations close October 26, 2026.

The award will be presented at the SPEAK Up! Conference on Friday, November 6, 2026 in Wichita, KS.

NOMINATE A SELF-ADVOCATE

Become a Vendor

Do you have services or programs for individuals with IDD and their families?

We invite you to join us at the SPEAK Up! Conference to share your information!

APPLY FOR A VENDOR TABLE
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FAQs about the SPEAK Up! Conference

Where am I supposed to park for this event?

There is a covered parking garage on-site (132 N. Waco Ave) for $14 a night. 

Will the accommodations I requested be readily available to me?

Yes, they will. All accommodation requests will be submitted on the registration form HERE by September 15, 2026, and travel assistance/scholarship requests will be submitted on this form HERE by August 15, 2026.  

Do I need to buy a ticket to attend this conference?

No, this is a FREE event, but you must be registered to attend. All families, caregivers, professionals, and self-advocates are welcome!