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Speak Up and Speak OUt Summit
September 1 - 3, 2025
Hybrid
Speak Up and Speak Out Summit (SUSO)
is a 3 day conference of speakers that will show people with disabilities that they have a voice, they have choices in what they do with their life. We are committed to empowering persons with disabilities to reach their highest potential in education, employment and community living.
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SUSO 2025: 20 Years of Speaking Up and Speaking Out!
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AGENDA
2025 Agenda
4:00 - 6:00 PM
4:00 - 7:00 PM
Monday, September 1, 2025
IN PERSON ONLY:
Check in at registration table; dinner is on your own
IN PERSON ONLY:
Reception
Enjoy some light snacks and meet with other SUSO attendees.
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
8:00 AM
IN PERSON ONLY:
Check in at registration table; Continental Breakfast
9:15 - 9:20 AM
9:00 - 9:15 AM
ALL:
Welcome
Kimberly Mercer-Schleider, ICDD
Welcome - Samantha Alloway, The Arc of Illinois
General Session
Shirley Paceley and Barbara Pritchard
"20 Years of Speaking Up and Speaking Out"
Break
Keynote Speaker: Zach Anner
"Joyful Grit: Turning Setbacks into Setups"
Break
ALL:
Breakout Session #1
Mary Mathis, Tia Nelis, Linda Sandman
"Self-Advocates and Sexuality: We Have Rights!"
IN PERSON ONLY:
Breakout Session #2
Rachel Costabile, Erika Kissel, Ashley McLeod, Ruth Pligge, Emily Ramming - Just a Dollop
"Dream. Design. Do. Turning talents into opportunities through customized work and self employment"
IN PERSON ONLY:
Breakout Session #3
Speak Out and Open Mic Prep
Lunch Break and Open Mic
ALL:
Breakout Session #4
Blue Tower Solutions
"Say What?! How to Check is Something You Hear is True"
IN PERSON ONLY:
Breakout Session #5
Sebastian Aragon, Cheryl Jansen, Ashley McLeod, Da Wen Mei
"Register. Educate. Vote. User Your Power!"
IN PERSON ONLY:
Breakout Session #6
Jae Jin Pak and Timotheus "T.J." Gordon
"Advocacy Across Cultures and Races: The Story of Chicagoland DPOCC"
Break
ALL:
Regional Meetings
​Closing for Day Two
IN PERSON ONLY:
Dinner
10:00 - 10:15 AM
9:20 - 10:00 AM
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
10:15 - 11:15 AM
11:15 - 11:30 AM
12:15 - 2:00 PM
2:15 - 3:00 PM
3:00 - 3:30 PM
3:30 - 4:30 PM
5:00 PM
8:00 AM
9:00 - 10:00 AM
10:00 - 10:30 AM
10:30 - 11:30 AM
11:30 - 11:45 AM
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
12:15 PM
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
IN PERSON ONLY:
Continental Breakfast
ALL:
Legislative Panel
Break
Keynote Speakers - Cindy Benton, Ashley Mathey, Tia Nelis
Self-Advocate Panel
Break
General Session
Advocate for Respect and Inclusion: The Impact of "Spread the Word" with Special Olympics Illinois
Wrap Up SUSO 2025
IN PERSON ONLY:
Boxed Lunch
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