During this session, we'll guide attendees through the different conference activities and expectations so that everyone can feel prepared and get the most out of their experience.
Executive Director, Utah Developmental Disabilities Council
Libby has served the public for over twenty years working in adaptive recreation, employment supports, and many years of advocacy programming, policy work and active engagement in improving publicly-funded services and supports. She received a Bachelor of Science, Recreation at the... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 8:45am - 9:00am MDT All Hands7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047
Author and comedian Zach Anner blends laugh-out-loud stories with the legacy of disability rights activism. He highlights how progress comes from both trailblazers and everyday acts of kindness, urging us to face obstacles with humor, resilience, and joy as our constant companion.
Zach Anner is a comedian, author, television writer, public speaker, and YouTube personality. He grew up in Buffalo, NY, and somehow remained an optimist despite enduring seven-month winters and watching the Buffalo Bills lose four straight Super Bowls. Zach’s YouTube videos have... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MDT All Hands7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047
For people with disabilities, access to music can mean access to communication, socialization, regulation, and belonging. This session reimagines music as an everyday, accessible tool—beyond performance or therapy—that honors strengths, supports self-determination, and helps people connect with others and the world around them in meaningful ways.
Jaycie Voorhees, MM, MT-BC is a passionate music therapist and entrepreneur with 17 years of experience in the field. She is dedicated to helping her clients, team, and colleagues progress so they can feel fulfilled and joyful in life. She runs the Harmony Music Therapy Center in... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am MDT All Hands7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047
Learn about the services that the Utah Independent Living Center offers and how to access those services. We will also review the other regional independent living centers in the state for those outside of Salt Lake county.
Supporting Healthy Relationships with Positive Outcomes: A Guide for Caregivers and Professionals. Join us to better understand why unsafe sexual behaviors may be happening, and how to respond respectfully. We will look at barriers self-advocates face and how we may support their own sexual self-advocacy.
Build your leadership skills with fun and fast activity rotations. These collaborative activities are designed to enhance individual abilities as group contributors through problem-solving, clear communication and role definition. Whether you want to be a stronger leader or develop your teamwork skills, these hands-on activities will give you useful tools to use in everyday life. Join us for an exciting and supportive session that will help you step up and lead with confidence!
Attendees will be able to participate in 2 activities during each Rotation Series. Activities are repeated throughout the day.
Today's activities are:
What Does it Mean to be a Leader? Leadership encompasses a wide range of styles and qualities. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on various leaders and discuss the significant value that leadership provides to both individuals and communities.
Alligator River Participants will journey with a woman named Abigail across an alligator-infested river. Working in groups, participants will come to a consensus on a best-to-worst rating for all characters in Abigail's adventure. The activity is designed to transition participants from an individual perspective to collaborative leadership by practicing collaborative communication to reach a unified group decision.
The Marshmallow Challenge The Marshmallow Challenge, developed by Tom Wujec and conducted with hundreds of groups globally, is a fun, friendly competition. Using tape, string, spaghetti, and marshmallows, teams will learn about defining roles, fostering teamwork, and innovating together. (NOTE: This activity will last 50 minutes and participants will not have time to rotate to a second activity during this series.)
Describe and Draw In pairs, one person describes an object while the other person draws it without naming it explicitly. This activity helps improve team coordination and effective communication while fostering creativity. Players switch roles, allowing each person a chance to take the lead and guide the other, developing leadership skills.
Wednesday May 13, 2026 11:15am - 12:20pm MDT All Hands7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047
Rights are only powerful if you can use them. This session breaks down the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) in real world terms, focusing on housing and employment. Participants will gain practical tools, scripts, and strategies to request accommodations and navigate delays, denials, and resistance with confidence.
Jesse Yarger is a behavior analysis enthusiast. He earned his undergraduate degree from Utah State University in 2011 and completed his master’s degree at Auburn University in 2012. Jesse is the owner of Rogue Behavior Services, where he focuses on coordinating behavior-analytic... Read More →
Alex Makowski is the Chief Executive Office of Rogue Behavior Services, bringing more than 14 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. She began her career as a behavior technician and has since worked across a wide variety of settings, including schools, residential centers... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:25pm - 2:30pm MDT Lonestar
Caregivers and providers will learn behavioral strategies to build an environment that promotes autonomy, including the "Right to No" and how we may phrase choices in everyday life. Participants will receive a Choice Audit tool to identify daily opportunities for empowerment, ensuring individuals with disabilities lead socially significant and meaningful lives.
I am a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) who has over a decade of clinical experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities & Autism Spectrum Disorder across the ages of 2-65+ in home, school, clinic, community, residential, and vocational... Read More →
Build your leadership skills with fun and fast activity rotations. These collaborative activities are designed to enhance individual abilities as group contributors through problem-solving, clear communication and role definition. Whether you want to be a stronger leader or develop your teamwork skills, these hands-on activities will give you useful tools to use in everyday life. Join us for an exciting and supportive session that will help you step up and lead with confidence!
Attendees will be able to participate in 2 activities during each Rotation Series. Activities are repeated throughout the day.
Today's activities are:
What Does it Mean to be a Leader? Leadership encompasses a wide range of styles and qualities. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on various leaders and discuss the significant value that leadership provides to both individuals and communities.
Alligator River Participants will journey with a woman named Abigail across an alligator-infested river. Working in groups, participants will come to a consensus on a best-to-worst rating for all characters in Abigail's adventure. The activity is designed to transition participants from an individual perspective to collaborative leadership by practicing collaborative communication to reach a unified group decision.
The Marshmallow Challenge The Marshmallow Challenge, developed by Tom Wujec and conducted with hundreds of groups globally, is a fun, friendly competition. Using tape, string, spaghetti, and marshmallows, teams will learn about defining roles, fostering teamwork, and innovating together. (NOTE: This activity will last 50 minutes and participants will not have time to rotate to a second activity during this series.)
Describe and Draw In pairs, one person describes an object while the other person draws it without naming it explicitly. This activity helps improve team coordination and effective communication while fostering creativity. Players switch roles, allowing each person a chance to take the lead and guide the other, developing leadership skills.
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:25pm - 2:30pm MDT All Hands7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047
This session will explore the concepts of autonomy and interdependence. These two concepts have improved my understanding and advocacy of disability rights and justice. Autonomy is the idea that we all should have the final say on the decisions impacting our lives. Interdependence is the concept that no one is truly independent and that we all rely on each other to live and thrive. This session will cover how these two concepts work together and how they conflict.
I am an Autistic Mental Health consultant and educator. After becoming chronically ill while studying to be a wildlife educator I switched my focus to Autism and Mental Health advocacy. I am currently consulting on study about suicide prevention for Autistic Adults. I am an avid... Read More →
Based on The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly, participants will learn how to make their dreams come true. We teach you a system to Identify your dreams, assemble a team, create a plan/steps, navigate the steps, celebrate the wins.
Alison Campbell is the founder and owner of Live Empowered, a company dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities through individualized, relationship-based care. As both a provider and a parent of an adult son with disabilities, Alison brings a deeply personal and professional... Read More →
Marie West is the Marketing Director at Live Empowered and a Host Home provider, where she works directly with adults with disabilities in a family-style living environment. Through both her professional role and daily hands-on experience, Marie focuses on implementing person-centered... Read More →
Marc is a participant in Live Empowered’s Host Home Program, where he has made significant progress toward his personal goals through individualized, person-centered support. By focusing on his dreams, needs, and abilities, Marc has built greater independence and confidence in his... Read More →
Sam is a long-time participant in Live Empowered’s Host Home and Day Program, where he has consistently worked toward building greater independence and a meaningful, self-directed life. Through individualized, person-centered support, Sam has developed skills in money management... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 2:35pm - 3:40pm MDT Beehive
Build your leadership skills with fun and fast activity rotations. These collaborative activities are designed to enhance individual abilities as group contributors through problem-solving, clear communication and role definition. Whether you want to be a stronger leader or develop your teamwork skills, these hands-on activities will give you useful tools to use in everyday life. Join us for an exciting and supportive session that will help you step up and lead with confidence!
Attendees will be able to participate in 2 activities during each Rotation Series. Activities are repeated throughout the day.
Today's activities are:
What Does it Mean to be a Leader? Leadership encompasses a wide range of styles and qualities. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on various leaders and discuss the significant value that leadership provides to both individuals and communities.
Alligator River Participants will journey with a woman named Abigail across an alligator-infested river. Working in groups, participants will come to a consensus on a best-to-worst rating for all characters in Abigail's adventure. The activity is designed to transition participants from an individual perspective to collaborative leadership by practicing collaborative communication to reach a unified group decision.
The Marshmallow Challenge The Marshmallow Challenge, developed by Tom Wujec and conducted with hundreds of groups globally, is a fun, friendly competition. Using tape, string, spaghetti, and marshmallows, teams will learn about defining roles, fostering teamwork, and innovating together. (NOTE: This activity will last 50 minutes and participants will not have time to rotate to a second activity during this series.)
Describe and Draw In pairs, one person describes an object while the other person draws it without naming it explicitly. This activity helps improve team coordination and effective communication while fostering creativity. Players switch roles, allowing each person a chance to take the lead and guide the other, developing leadership skills.
Wednesday May 13, 2026 2:35pm - 3:40pm MDT All Hands7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047
Now is a great time to take a break and mingle with others at the event? It's a great opportunity to meet new people and have some interesting conversations. Enjoy your time getting to know others!
Wednesday May 13, 2026 3:45pm - 4:00pm MDT All Hands7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047
