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Speak Up and Speak OUt Summit
October 5 - 6, 2023
Hybrid
Limited In-Person Attendees
and Virtual using Zoom Webinar
Speak Up and Speak Out Summit (SUSO)
is a 2 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 2023: Build a Better Future Together
AGENDA
2023 Agenda
12:00 - 1:30 PM
Thursday, October 5, 2023
3:00 - 4:00 PM
ALL
Breakout Session #3
Mary Matthews, Ebony Payne, Barb Pritchard, and Lyndsay Sullivan
"Changing the Law in Illinois. A Roadmap to change for People with Disabilities"
IN PERSON ONLY
Option to attend Breakout Session #4 (All Sessions will be recorded and shared)
Leanne Kenworthy and Anne Thurston
"Choosing to Move Forward: How Self-Advocacy Builds a Better Future"
1:30 - 2:30 PM
ALL:
Breakout Session #1
Ani Hunt, Colleen Musselman, and Brandon Ramirez
"A Seat at the Table"
IN PERSON ONLY:
Option to attend Breakout Session #2(All sessions will be recorded and shared)
Beth Davis, Mary Hettel, Kenneth Powers, and Mary Suggs
"Peer to Peer Briding the Gap through Self-Advocacy"
5:00 - 10:00 PM
IN PERSON ONLY: Gala Dinner with Open Mic and DJ
IN PERSON ONLY:
Check in at registration table; Lunch is on your own
Friday, October 6, 2023
8:00 - 9:00 AM
IN PERSON ONLY: Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM
IN PERSON ONLY:
Check in at registration table and visit with exhibitors
9:00 - 9:15 AM
ALL
Welcome
Kimberly Mercer-Schleider, Director, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities
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9:15 - 10:15 AM
ALL
Keynote Speaker: Liza Weintraub
"My story: How do you get from here to there?"
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10:15 - 10:45 AM
ALL Break
IN PERSON ONLY: Check out of rooms
VIRTUAL ONLY: Special Guests​
10:45 - 11:45 AM
ALL
Breakout Session #5
Erin Compton, Robert Hendershot, and Morgan Bucciferro
"Play Ball: Angels for Higher Changing the Game of Inclusive Employment"
IN PERSON ONLY:
Option to attend Breakout Session #6
Timotheus "TJ" Gordon, Piyush Mishra, and Jae Jin Pak
"Virtual Future is Now: An Online Training Program to Plan for the Future"​
11:45 - 1:30 PM
Lunch Break
VIRTUAL ONLY:
Open Mic
1:30 - 2:00 PM
ALL
Tonya Piephoff, Director, Division of Developmental Disabilities, DHS​
2:00 - 2:30 PM
ALL
Victoria Boateng
"You Are Somebody! Turning your pain into your purpose"​
2:50 - 3:50 PM
ALL
Breakout Session #7
Curtis Harris, Julie Nelson, Vincent Smith and Julie Verdu
"Supportive Housing"
IN PERSON ONLY:
Option to attend Breakout Session #8 (All Sessions will be record and shared)
Tavarus Wesley and Krescene Beck
"Being a Board Member can help build a Better Future"
​
3:50 - 4:00 PM
ALL
Wrap up SUSO 2023!
VIRTUAL ONLY:
​After Meeting
Keynote Speakers
Liz Weintraub
"My Story: How do you get from here to there"
​
​
Special Guest!
Victoria Boateng
"You Are Somebody! Turning your Pain into Your Purpose"
​
How to Get There?
This year's SUSO Summit will be HYBRID.
If attending virtually, we'll send you the link to join. It'll be one Zoom Webinar link to join for all 2 days.
Connect to the VIRTUAL Zoom Webinar using your phone, laptop, or tablet, wherever you can access the internet.
If attending in person, we'll be at the Abraham Lincoln DoubleTree Hotel in Springfield, IL.
If you need driving directions to the DoubleTree please go to google maps or you can call 815-464-1832 for assistance.
There is an Amtrak Train Station 5 blocks from the DoubleTree Hotel. Take Washington 4 blocks, then right on 7th St. for 1 block. To make a train reservation, call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245.
Parking is available at the hotel for $10 per night. Please let Becca know if you will be parking at the hotel - 815-464-1832 or becca@thearcofil.org.
HOTEL:
President Abraham Lincoln Springfield - a DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton
701 E Adams Street
Springfield, Illinois, 62701
SPEAKERS
RSVP
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