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Tuesday, October 20, 2026

7:30 - 9:00 a.m. - Registration, Networking, and Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. General Session 1, Welcome and Keynote

Keynote: Sydney Unplugged - Tools to Empower Disabled Professionals

Sydney will share her knowledge of plain language, clear communication, and technology to support people with disabilities. Drawing from lived experience, humor, and practical tools, Sydney helps audiences rethink how to write, collaborate, and support neurodivergent people. Sydney invites the audience to imagine workplaces where support is the norm, not the exception and where every person has the tools to lead their own path.

Meet Sydney Badeau

Sydney is a statewide and national speaker. She works for advocacy organizations and is the current chair of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD).

Sydney’s work has had a positive and life-changing impact on many. Her advocacy has helped increase understanding

and support for individuals in the disability community. She works for The Arc Wisconsin and People First Wisconsin and is on a leadership team for a grant at UW-Madison.

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10:00 - 10:45 a.m. Networking Break and Exhibitors

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Really Good Learning Sessions

How I Transformed My Chaos into Communication

How do you let others know what matters most to you? This session uses hands-on activities and worksheets to help participants practice communication and relationship building skills that support real choice in daily life. Participants will build confidence and apply these everyday tools to make choices about their daily lives.

Room: Africa 10

Presenters: Krystal Hileman, Becky Kuehl, and Colleen Rinken

Session Materials

Community and Social Isolation, Circles of Support

Do you ever wonder what really helps people feel connected in their community? Self-advocate Ben Gapinski will share his own community map showing the people, places, and activities that matter most to him. Ben will talk about how he makes friendships, stays involved, and uses technology to support independence. Participants will explore community mapping and fun ways to build connections and feel a stronger sense of belonging.

Location: Africa 20

Presenters: Ben Gapinski, Sam Margelofsky and Christine Schulz

Session Materials

Lets talk about Healthy Relationships and Sexuality no way!

In this interactive Community Conversation-style session, participants will explore the importance of discussing and teaching healthy relationships and sexuality with people with disabilities while openly addressing the discomfort that can sometimes accompany these conversations. Together we will discover we all want the same thing from a healthy relationship: to love and be loved.

Room: Africa 30

Presenters: Priscilla Battle, Sara Schueller, Samantha Szynskie and Tina Wiley

Session Materials

Elevating Family Caregivers: A Time for YOU

This interactive workshop will introduce the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance and statewide resources available to caregivers. Participants will explore how storytelling and art can be used as tools for self-care, advocacy, and social change, including an example of a Wisconsin caregiver postcard exhibit. The session will conclude with an opportunity to create a postcard reflecting moments of joy, struggle, or gratitude from their own lives.

Room: Africa 40

Presenter: Kristin Voss

Session Materials

Parent Cafés for parents of children with disabilities and individuals

Parents of children and individuals with disabilities face the same challenges as every parent and youth, with added complexities, stress, many questions, and often, a few answers. Parent Cafés for parents of children with disabilities and individuals can provide tools, ideas, knowledge, and the opportunity to listen and share with other parents or individuals.

Room: Africa 50

Presenter: Aracely Portillo

Session Materials

Participating Anyway: Adapting, problem-solving, and advocating

The world is not always designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, but that does not mean we stop participating in the things we enjoy. In this session, we will talk about how to plan ahead, think through barriers, and find ways to be involved. We will practice simple ways to ask for accommodations. You will leave with practical ideas and tools to use to participate in the community and do the things that matter most to you.

Room: Africa 60

Presenters: Hannah Jakubek, Autumn Nordall and Stacie Scheibe

Session Materials

Getting from Point A to B: Accessible Transportation

Transportation plays a vital role in community participation, independence, and quality of life. Our ability to navigate transportation systems can present complex challenges that require the thoughtful application of assistive technology, service coordination, planning, and systemic awareness.

This session is designed to answer your questions and provide the key resources you need to know about achieving greater mobility and access for people with disabilities. The webinar explores foundational principles of transportation, community mobility, and assistive technology solutions. Gain knowledge about technologies that enhance safety and independence while applying this information to real-world scenarios.

Room: Africa 70

Presenters: Angela Brenna and Nichole Hysel

Session Materials

You and Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology helps Family Care members and IRIS participants live the life they want to live in their community. Learn what assistive technology is and how to self-advocate to get it. We will have small group discussions, interactive activities and tools to help you understand your assistive technology options. Learn what types of assistive technology can help you reach your life goals, and the advocacy tools you may want to use to get there.

Room: Africa 80

Presenter: Jean Eldredge, Mary McKeown, Melissa Pulju Rebecca Mulhern and Nathan Pulju

Session Materials

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch and Networking Break

1:00 - 2:15 p.m. Really Good Learning Sessions

Get Ready to Vote

Ready to vote, know your rights, and have access to the ballot. Make a voting plan. Learn about online voting, in-person voting, absentee ballots. Find out what’s on your ballot. Learn about the laws and how they protect your rights and make it easier for you to vote. Who to contact about voting accommodations. Learn how to register to vote and obtain election results.

Room: Africa 10

Presenters: Aracely Portillo, Erika Portillo and Arely Romero

Session Materials

Strengthening Caregiving Through WisCaregiver Careers

Explore how the WisCaregiver Careers Certified Direct Care Professional Program now offers a free, exclusive job platform designed specifically for self-directed participants in Family Care and IRIS. This platform connects you with trained caregivers who have completed certification—at no cost to you. Learn how to easily find, hire, and support qualified caregivers while taking advantage of free training and financial incentives. Help caregivers earn certification and up to $500 in bonuses.

Room: Africa 20

Presenters: Casey Kapalczynki, Alyse Gesch and MCO Representative, Self-Advocate

Session Materials

Supported Living and Technology: A Powerful Combination

Are you interested in living in a home of your own? Do you wonder if this is a choice for you? Have you been told that supported living is only for certain people? Join us to learn how supported living and technology are used in combination to empower individuals to live in their community with the right support to be successful! Support is never "one size fits all" and we will share creative examples of how supported living services and technology make owning your own front door possible for everyone.

Room: Africa 30

Presenters: Jen Squire, Sean Doran with Chris Patterson

Session Materials

My Story: Disability, Tech, and Possibility

This session shares how a self-advocate uses technology and AI (Artificial Intelligence) to take charge of his work, communicate clearly, and stay organized. Participants will hear real examples of how simple tools—like reminders, visual supports, and AI assistants help at work. We will show how technology can support self-determination by giving people more control and choice. During the session, participants will try a short activity where they use AI to create their own support tool.

Room: Africa 40

Presenters: Sydney Badeau and Chad Sobieck

Session Materials

Building Financial Confidence for Everyday Independence

Building financial confidence is an important part of independence, but many people are never taught the practical skills needed to manage money, understand spending habits, or make confident financial decisions. This session focuses on simple, real-world strategies that help individuals better understand where their money is going and how their everyday choices impact financial stability. As a self-advocate living with a chronic health condition and supporting family members with significant mental health challenges, the presenter has had to develop practical systems to manage finances, responsibilities, and daily life. These experiences shaped the tools and strategies shared in this session. Participants will explore how personal habits influence financial outcomes, learn simple ways to track spending, and discuss practical steps for building confidence with money decisions. This session is designed for self-advocates, caregivers, and professionals who want practical tools that support financial awareness, confidence, and greater independence in everyday life.

Room: Africa 50

Presenters: Christine Moyett and Eric Moyett

Session Materials

Connected Independence: The Power of Remote Support

In this session, Josh shares a firsthand account of how transitioning to remote supports transformed his daily life. For Josh, success isn't just about receiving help—it's about maintaining the sanctity of his home and leading his own progress. By utilizing virtual tools, he has gained the ability to receive guidance and queuing without the constant physical presence of staff, fostering a new level of independence and privacy. Plan for an interactive activity to demonstrate how technology can be used

Room: Africa 60

Presenters: Josh Bagemehl and Brittany Rewolinski

Session Materials

Understanding Work & Benefits

Many people believe that working means losing their benefits—but that's often not the case. This session provides a practical overview of Social Security and Medicaid work incentives, understanding how employment can impact benefits, what protections are available, and how to make informed decisions about work. Get a better understanding of how work and benefits can successfully be used together.

Room: Africa 70

Presenters: Kathy Meisner and Jolene Wanek

Session Materials

Reframing Aging and Disability

The words we use matter. They shape how we think about getting older and living with a disability. Sometimes, without realizing it, we use words or messages that create low expectations or make people feel left out. This session will help participants recognize these messages and learn new ways to talk about aging and disability that are more respectful, accurate, and welcoming. Participants will practice using language that supports inclusion, independence, and community participation.

Room: Africa 80

Presenters: Helen Sampson and Mackenzie Wann

Session Materials

2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Networking Break and Exhibitors

3:00 p.m. - 3:35 p.m. - Self Advocate Sessions

Technology We Love and Why

Self-advocates from the Leadership Institute at ALAS will share how technology helps them communicate, learn, stay organized, make choices, and have fun every day. Presenters will talk about favorite apps and tools such as YouTube, ChatGPT, reminder apps, messaging apps, music, gaming, and Canva. Participants will learn how technology can support independence, friendships, creativity, and self-advocacy. The session will include a simple interactive activity where audience members reflect and share what technology helps them most in their own lives. This presentation uses plain language, visuals, and personal stories from self-advocates.

Room: Africa 10

Presenters (Alas self-advocate leadership institute team): Iana Bautista, Diego Becerra, Daniel a Jimenez, Julisa Mendez, Xavier muro, Joel Padron , Ximena Pedra Buena, Leonel Santiago Sosa Traslaviña, Aeram Veras

Session Materials

My Voice, My Tech, My Choice

Brett will share his lived experience as a person with two speech disabilities and highlight the importance of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Explore how technological advances and social media have expanded opportunities, while also discussing the challenges. Brett will demonstrate how he uses technology to strengthen self-determination in transition, employment, education, community participation, and relationships. Learn how technology can empower people with disabilities to become effective self-advocates and activists in their communities.

Room: Africa 20

Presenter: Brett Grycowski

Session Materials

Voice, Choice and Technology

After a spinal cord injury left her paralyzed from the shoulders down, Mackenzie Wann discovered that technology could be more than a tool—it could be a pathway to self-determination. Through personal stories and real-life examples, she will share how assistive technology helps her work, advocate, communicate, and participate in the community. Mackenzie will demonstrate the technology and supports she uses, followed by a discussion about self-determination, choice, and the meaning of independence.

Room: Africa 50

Presenters: MacKenzie Wann

Session Materials

The Power of a Cell Phone

Have you ever thought of your phone as a key to independence? There are lots of different things people can do on a phone. Cell phones have come a long way in a short period of time. For many people with disabilities, the phone has not only become a lifeline, it is a true key to being more independent. In this session, we’ll talk about several unique ways that someone with a significant physical disability uses a phone. Join us to learn about several apps that help people with disabilities!

Room: Africa 60

Presenter: Stacy Ellingen

Session Materials

Living my Best Life!

Jacob lives an active life, doing the things he enjoys most. He volunteers at an elementary school, enjoys gardening club, and regularly goes to a local coffee shop. And that’s only the beginning Jacob will share his community mapping and how he built his community connection. All these experiences have helped him grow and build relationships with others.

Room: Africa 70

Presenter: Jacob Roncone

Session Materials

My Journey as a Young Disability Advocate in Girl Scouts

Madelynn is a 15-year-old self-advocate. She will talk about her experience in Girl Scouts and how it has helped her become a leader and speak up for herself as a young person with a disability. Her Silver Award project donated over 40 children’s books with characters who have disabilities. Madelynn is working on her Gold Award project about disability and mental health, and it has already helped her meet many other disability advocates. The Gold Award will help people with disabilities share their stories and feel less alone.

Room: Africa 80

Presenter: Madelynn Maclennan

Session Materials

3:35 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Break and Hotel Check-in

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Dinner and Diehard Awards (Award Presentation at 5:30pm)

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Let’s Dance! Trivia, Prizes!

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