Speak Up and Speak OUt Summit

August 31 - September 2, 2026
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 and that they have choices in what they do with their lives. We are committed to empowering persons with disabilities to reach their highest potential in education, employment, and community living.

Stronger Together: Protecting Our Community

AGENDA

2026 Agenda

4:00 - 6:00 PM

6:00 - 7:00 PM

Monday, August 31, 2026

IN PERSON ONLY:
Check in at registration table; dinner is on your own

IN PERSON ONLY:
The ICDD Community Engagement and Trivia Hour

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

8:00 AM

IN PERSON ONLY:
Check in at registration table; Continental Breakfast

9:15 - 10:30 AM

9:00 - 9:15 AM

ALL:
Welcome and Housekeeping
Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities

Keynote: “Building Bridges. Breaking Barriers. The Ripple Effect,” presented by Michael Wayne O’Neill

Break

ALL: Breakout Session #1
Alexandra Baig & Laila Tran
"Work More and Keep Your Social Security and Medicaid”

IN PERSON ONLY: Breakout Session #2
Timotheus “T.J.” Gordon, Jr.
“Lead On: Getting Involved in Civic Engagement... Besides Voting”

IN PERSON ONLY: Breakout Session #3
Sheila Cull
“More than Words: Dysarthria, Education, and Being Heard”

Lunch Break and Open Mic

ALL: Breakout Session #4
Kaela Denny, April McClees, Karthik Ramalingam, Jennifer Thibodeaux Sands
“Stronger Together: Developing Effective Advocacy Skills and a Powerful Community Network”

IN PERSON ONLY: Breakout Session #5
Stephanie Kanter
"Building My Financial Strength with My IL ABLE Account”

IN PERSON ONLY: Breakout Session #6
Tavarus Wesley
"My SABE SARTAC Fellowship Journey”

Break

ALL:
Severe Weather Safety presented by Adam Cooper, Alex Tabor, and Carla Crawford

IN PERSON ONLY: Dinner

IN PERSON ONLY: Costume Ball

10:30 - 11:00 AM

11:00 - 11:45 AM

2:00 - 2:45 PM

5:00 - 7:00 PM

7:00 - 10:00 PM

12:00 - 1:45 PM

2:45 - 3:00 PM

3:00 - 4:00 PM

8:00 - 9:00 AM

9:00 - 10:00 AM

10:00 - 10:30 AM

10:30 - 11:15 AM

11:15 - 11:30 AM

11:30 - 12:30 PM

12:30 PM

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

IN PERSON ONLY:
Continental Breakfast

ALL: Legislative Panel

Break - Check-out of rooms - hold luggage with registration

ALL: “Nothing About Us Without Us. Inclusion of Immigrants with Disabilities” presented by Claudia
Castillo Ayala and Jae Jin Pak, University of Illinois Chicago, Department of Disability & Human
Development

Break

ALL: Keynote "From Athlete to Advocate: Learning to Use Personal Experience for Change" presented by Mia Ives-Rublee

Boxed Lunch - Hang out a little longer or take it to go

Keynote Speakers

Michael Wayne O’Neill

“Building Bridges. Breaking Barriers. The Ripple Effect"

What happens when one person finds the courage to speak up? A ripple effect of change begins. In this inspiring keynote, Michael Wayne shares his journey from a nonverbal child with severe autism to an award-winning journalist, advocate, and speaker. Through his personal story and practical insights, attendees will discover the power of self-advocacy, inclusion, and supporting one another. Participants will be challenged to step beyond their comfort zone, embrace their unique strengths, and use their voices to create positive change. Together, we can build bridges, break barriers, and create a ripple effect that strengthens our communities for generations to come.

Mia Ives-Rublee

“From Athlete to Advocate: Learning to Use Personal Experience for Change”

Mia Ives-Rublee, policy analyst and advocate, speaks about how her own experiences taught her how to speak up and speak out about issues and barriers vulnerable communities face. She talks about how empathy can be used radically to create community, solidarity, and change. Even as many face difficult times, Ives-Rublee reminds us that each one of us has a role to play in advocating for equitable rights.

SPEAKERS