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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.
SUSO 2025: 20 Years of Speaking Up and Speaking Out!
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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