Advancing Inclusion for Adults with Disabilities who have Significant Support Needs
Don’t miss a landmark gathering of thought leaders, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and others committed to one simple truth:
Dignity is not a privilege – it’s a right.
About the Summit
Adults with severe and multiple disabilities experience some of the highest levels of social isolation, limited access to meaningful community engagement, and families living with constant financial, emotional, and caregiving strain.
The day-long event features two fireside conversations: “Lived Experiences, Navigating Barriers, and Aspirations” and “Addressing Gaps and Advancing Equity”; followed by three panel discussions: Challenging Limiting Narratives – Undoing Ablism, Implicit Bias, and Outdated Assumptions, Barriers to Equitable Healthcare Access, and Reforms, Innovations and Bold Imagination – Designing a Future that Includes Us”
- Keynote Address by US Senator Tim Kaine
- Farewell Address by Congressman James Walkinshaw
- Presenting Sponsor: Elevance Health/Anthem
Panels and Speakers
Fireside Conversations
Two fireside conversations moderated by Aaron Kaufman, Maryland State Delegate and Disability Rights Advocate
Moderated by:
- Lucy Beadnell, The Arc of Northern Virginia
- Michael Toobin, Esq.
- Mark Coles, MD
- Phyllis Randall, Chair-at-Large, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors
Panel 1 – “Challenging Limiting Narratives – Undoing Ablism, Implicit Bias, and Outdated Assumptions”
Moderator: Hannah Irsfeld, Esq., General Counsel NOVA Foundation, Vice Chair, SPARC
Panel 2 – Health Care – “Barriers to Equitable Healthcare Access”
Moderator: Jerry Hulick, Principal and Consultant, Caring Consulting Group; Member. United Cerebral Palsy National Bd. Of Trustees; and Founder, Washington Group Special Care Planning Team
Panel 3 – Reforms, Innovations and Bold Imagination – Designing a Future that Includes Us”
Moderator: Supervisor Rodney Lusk, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Franconia District