Tami Jackson is the legislative liaison and public policy strategist
for the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental
Disabilities. Tami brings more than fifteen years of public policy
experience to her work with the legislature, Governor’s office,
state agencies, and grassroots advocates on a wide variety of
issues including guardianship and alternatives to guardianship,
civil rights, Medicaid, long term care, and non-driver
transportation.

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

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

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. General Session 2, Keynote

Keynote: All around Wisconsin!

Wisconsin disability advocates across the state have been showing up and speaking out about Medicaid, the ACA Marketplace, special education, and many other issues important to people with disabilities and families. Your experience has been the story. You’ve gotten the press and your neighbors to pay attention. Celebrate a
year full of people with disabilities and families taking action, large and small, that has made a big difference.

Moderated by Tami Jackson

Wednesday Keynote Replay

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

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

Making the Most of Your Fiscal Employer Agent

Navigating the payroll and administrative side of hiring your own support workers can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Fiscal Employer Agents (FEAs) help manage the complex tasks of onboarding, payroll, taxes, and compliance so you can focus on living your life with independence and choice. In this session, we’ll talk about what an FEA does and share real-world tips for worker onboarding, avoiding common paperwork pitfalls, tracking hours with confidence, and ensuring your workers get paid on time.

Room: Africa 10

Presenters: Fiscal Employment Agency Panel moderated by Kaitlin McNamara

Session Materials

Session Video

Scripts for Self-Advocacy

Advocating for yourself is hard. It's even harder when the other person seems to have all the power, like with doctors, schools, jobs, landlords, and service providers. Many disabled and neurodivergent people rely on scripts, or pre-planned words, to communicate. Practicing scripts for self-advocacy can help you feel more confident in stressful situations. In this workshop, we will talk about why self-advocacy is important, discuss different types of scripts, and practice advocating for ourselves in a roleplay activity. We will also talk about asking for help with advocacy and scripts caregivers or loved ones can use to advocate, too.

Room: Africa 60

Presenter: Emery Rankin Utevsky

Session Materials

Session Video

12:00 - 1:15 p.m. Lunch and Networking Break

1:15 - 2:30 p.m. Really Good Learning Sessions

Getting to College: Redefining Possibility for Youth with Disabilities

This presentation will highlight Getting To College’s (GTC) supports and services with a focus on GTC’s pre-college summer camps, a groundbreaking initiative that empowers youth with disabilities to see themselves as future college students. We’ll share real outcomes, success stories, and first-hand accounts from participants whose self-confidence, self-advocacy, and independence grew through this experience. We’ll also take a critical look at the systemic barriers that continue to limit opportunity, including low expectations and illustrate how obtaining education credentials can ensure employment and increase the opportunity for a self-directed independent life.

Room: Africa 10

Presenters: Nate Hundt and Chris Masey

Session Materials

Session Video

Partners in Employment: Working with Your Job Coach

Finding the right job can be exciting - and it helps to have the right people on your team! In this session, we will talk about how you can work with your job developer and job coach. You will learn how to speak up about what you like, get support from people at work, and make choices about your job. You will also get tips to help you feel more confident and independent at work. Come ready to share your ideas, ask questions, and learn from others!

Room: Africa 20

Presenter: Shannon Webb

Session Materials

Session Video

Your Voice, Your Choice, Support Broker Role

In this session, you’ll learn what Support Brokers do, how they support you with planning, budgeting, and staffing, and why having one can make managing your services easier and less stressful. Whether you’re new to self-direction or looking for extra support, this is your chance to understand how a Support Broker can help you stay organized, confident, and in control of your care.

Room: Africa 30

Presenters: Joyce Challoner, Brett Everman and Cindy Schamber

Session Materials

Session Video

Community CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

Join us for a hands-on CPR class designed for community members of all ages. In this brief but powerful session, you’ll learn the basics of hands-only CPR, how to respond in an emergency, and how to help save a life until professional help arrives. No prior experience needed. This class is great for parents, youth, caregivers, and community leaders who want to be prepared.

Room: Africa 60

Presenters: Shanice Baquet and LaMarcus Baquet

Session Materials

Medicaid in Motion: What is New in Long Term Care

There have been changes to Medicaid on the federal, state, and program levels. Come learn about what is new and how it may impact you. We will discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill, the state budget and improvements to the IRIS and Family Care programs.

Room: Africa 70 & 80

Presenters: Alicia Boehme and Nicole Schneider

Session Materials

Session Video

2:30 - 3:00 p.m. Wrap up Video and Door Prizes! - Africa West Ballroom