Dr Meghan Cosier and Dr Audri Gomez presenting 2023 summit
2024 Summit on Disability and Inclusion

» Summit on Disability and Inclusion


TPI full team

Friday, August 9, 2024

8:00 am – 9:00 am Continental Breakfast & Networking

9:00 am – 12:00 pm Summit Keynote Presentations

Musco Center for the ArtsChapman University
Orange, California
FREE Event
Audience: Self-advocates, families, educators, teacher education faculty, medical professionals, business leaders, and service providers.
Register for free: 

 

Rollettes dancers posing in their wheelchairs

Keynote Address and Perfomance: The Rollettes

Empowering Through Dance and Content Creation: The Rollettes Journey" The remarkable rise of the Rollettes dance team, a trailblazing group founded by Chelsie Hill in 2012, as they continue to captivate audiences worldwide with their inspiring story that has been featured on major media outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC News, The New York Times, and Forbes. With appearances on popular television shows like Sesame Street, Little Big Shots with Melissa McCarthy, and So You Think You Can Dance, the Rollettes have effectively showcased the transformative power of inclusivity, blazing a trail for women with disabilities to shine on a global stage. The Rollettes Experience, the largest women with disabilities empowerment event globally, unites a diverse community from 20 countries in an immersive celebration of dance, community, and education to promote boundless living. Join us today in celebrating the remarkable Rollettes dance team as they embody the power of unity, resilience, and the beauty of diversity. 

 

 

Dr. Meghan Cosier presenting at the 2022 Summit

 Summit Presentations:

The presentations will highlight current research and practice in policy, teacher education, inclusive education, and transition services.

 

Lauren Potter Headshot

An inspiration to all, Lauren Potter has proven herself to be a woman of strength and character. When professionals told her she “couldn’t” or “wouldn’t,” she worked harder – sometimes to the point of exhaustion. Barriers and limitations put before her became a personal challenge to let people know she is worthy of high ideals and capable of great expectations. Appointed by President Barack Obama as a member of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, which provides advice about intellectual disabilities to the president and the secretary of Health and Human Services.

Lauren made her acting debut in the movie MR. BLUE SKY where her impressive performance caught the attention of the producers of the hit FOX television series, GLEE, on which she played the spunky character ‘Becky Jackson’ for six seasons. She was nominated for a SAG Award in the category of “Ensemble in a Comedy Series” for her work on GLEE. Potter was also honored with the SAG/AFTRA Harold Russell Award at the Media Access Awards for this series.

She has since starred in and executive produced the independent drama GUEST ROOM, which made its debut at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. Most recently, Lauren has guest-starred on CHICAGO MED (NBC), VEEP (HBO), and SWITCHED AT BIRTH (Freeform). 

Potter serves as an advocate for those with disabilities through organizations including AbilityPath, Best Buddies International, the Down Syndrome Association, the American Association of People with Disabilities, and Special Olympics. She has worked with the non-profit in conjunction with Special Olympics’ “R-Word: Spread the Word to End the Word” anti-bullying campaign.

She is thrilled to be using her voice to speak out for other people with disabilities who may not have the same opportunities.

ASL interpreter at the 2022 Summit

Accessibility:

Musco Center for the Arts is an accessible venue with handicap parking in close proximity. A quiet room to view the Summit from will be available. ASL interpreters will be present during the event. For other accommodations, including language interpretation, please email tpi@chapman.edu.

 

 

 

TPI 2024 Impact Report

 

The Summit is TPI's signature event that brings together current research and community partners to highlight best practices that support a world in which all people in the disability community thrive.

 

 

 

Summit attendees lining up outside Musco Center for the Arts. Three summit attendees conversing outside Musco Center for the Arts.