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Speak Up and Speak OUt Summit
October 9 - 11, 2024
Virtual
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 2024: Advocates Unite!
AGENDA
2024 Agenda
10:00 - 10:15 AM
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
11:00 - 11:10 AM
Break
Breakout Session #1
Carole Rosen and Adam Wiser
"Discussing Politics with Civility"
Lunch Break and Open Mic
10:15 - 11:00 AM
Keynote Speaker: Nicole Leblanc
"Control your own destiny or someone else will"
Welcome to SUSO 2024!
Kimberly Mercer-Schleider, Director, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities
11:10 - 11:45 AM
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
12:15 - 12:30 PM
Chair Yoga with Ryan McGraw
Breakout Session #2
Russel Houser and Patrick Gale
"Autism 'Adulting' and Asking for Accommodations"
Break
Breakout Session #3
Casi Mertes, Laneka Myrick, Anne Thurston, and James Woods
"Uniting to Advocate for our Health and Wellness"
Closing for Day One
Stay on for the After Meeting
1:50 PM
1:05 - 1:15 PM
1:15 - 1:50 PM
12:30 - 1:05 PM
Thursday, October 10, 2024
10:00 - 10:05 AM
Welcome
10:05 - 10:40 AM
10:40 - 11:05 AM
1:55 PM
Breakout Session #4
Dignity in Pay Task Force - Gary Arnold, Tyson Bedford, and Tavarus Wesley
"Dignity in Pay Changing the System in Illinois"
DHS Update with Tonya Piephoff, Director, DDD
Break
Breakout Session #5
The Going Home Coalition
Lunch Break and Open Mic
Breakout Session #6
Erin Compton and Teresa Parks
"Guardianship and Supported Decision-Making: Your Rights When You Have a Guardian and an Alternative to Guardianship"
Update from Casey Burke, Supported Employment Administrator, Division of Developmental Disabilities
Break
Systems Change Panel Discussion
Led by The Alliance
Closing for Day Two
Stay on for the After Meeting
11:05 - 11:15 AM
11:15 - 11:50 AM
11:50 AM - 12:20 PM
12:20 - 12:55 PM
12:55 - 1:15 PM
1:15 - 1:25 PM
1:25 - 1:55 PM
10:00 - 10:15 AM
10:15 - 11:00 AM
11:00 - 11:10 AM
11:10 - 11:45 AM
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
12:15 - 12:30 PM
12:30 - 1:05 PM
1:05 - 1:15 PM
1:15 - 1:50 PM
1:50 PM
Friday, October 11, 2024
Welcome
Samantha Alloway, Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois
Keynote Speaker: Barbara Coppens
"Keys to Engaging Decision-Makers on the Local, State and Federal Levels"
Break
Breakout Session #7
Tiffany Greene, Kim Oliphant, Hector Renta, and Amanda Schumaker
"We are Thrive on the Move"
Lunch Break and Open Mic
Special Guest! DJ PUMP PUMP IT UP!
Breakout Session #8
Stephanie Kanter, Phyllis Kincs, and Tom Sadzewicz
"Building My Financial Strength with My IL ABLE Account"
Break
Breakout Session #9
Rio Goodwin Perez, Nik Heusman, Ted Gram-Boarini, and Christopher Viau
"Advocacy and Art"
Closing of SUSO 2024
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