The Second Annual Government and Disability Summit, held from September 23 to 26, 2025, in Ventura, California, was organized by the County of Ventura. This statewide event aimed to advance disability inclusion across California by bringing together government representatives, community organizations, advocates, and accessibility experts. The summit's theme, "Collaborate, Innovate, Activate: Disability Across the Lifespan," focused on addressing critical topics such as emergency preparedness, transportation, voting access, employment, health, recreation, and technology.
The summit featured a comprehensive schedule with various breakout sessions and plenary events. Notable sessions included "Creating New Pathways for Voters with Disabilities Through Cross-Department Collaborations," which explored how Orange County Elections and the County’s paratransit program collaborated to improve transportation options for voters with disabilities. Another session, "Sensory Implications to Crisis Response," addressed the unique sensory needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in emergency shelters. The event also offered networking opportunities, an expo hall, and featured notable speakers such as Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez and Disability Rights California's CEO, Andy Imparato.
The summit was designed for a diverse audience, including government officials, community organizations, advocates, and individuals interested in advancing disability inclusion. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in collaborative dialogues, explore innovative solutions to access barriers, and learn from leading experts in accessibility, policies, and programs.
Speakers(41)
Aaron Carruthers
Executive Director at State Council on Developmental Disabilities
null
Aaron Kitzman
null at Ventura County Sherriff’s Office
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Abigail Ridge
null at California Commission on Disability Access
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Adrien Gabriel
null at Orange County Registrar of Voters
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Andrea Dodge
null at Alameda County Public Health Department
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Annie Kroll
null at null
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Ashley Pope
null at Autism Society of Ventura County
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Aubrey Smith
null at Ventura County Transportation Commission
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Benjamin Chen
null at Alameda County Public Health Department
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Brianna Martin
null at California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities
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Christin Shatzer Roman
null at Pepperdine University
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Christina Mills
Executive Director at California Association of Area Agencies on Aging
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Colleen Smith
null at Workforce Development Board of Ventura County
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Dani Anderson
Disability Access Manager at Ventura County Office of Disability Access
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Dr. Mark DiCecco
null at DiCecco Architecture Incorporated
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Dr. Rita Burke
Associate Professor, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and Department of Pediatrics at USC
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Eli Gelardin
Director at San Francisco Office on Disability and Accessibility
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Elizabeth Pode
null at Pepperdine University
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Erin Kenneally
null at Ventura County Transportation Commission
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Gabe Taylor
null at Disability Rights California
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Gracie Doran
null at Disability Rights California
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JR Antablian
null at California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
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Jacob Lesner-Buxton
null at Access Central Coast
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Jennifer Lucas
null at State Council on Developmental Disabilities
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Jessica Clay
null at null
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Karen Flock
null at Ventura Housing Authority
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Kelly Kivlahan
null at Access Central Coast
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Kristina Miller
null at Team Rubicon
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Leticia Ortega
null at Ventura County InHome Support Services- Public Authority
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Mackenzie Mazen
null at Team Rubicon
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Matt Baker
null at California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities
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Paula Johnson
null at The ARC of Ventura County
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Roxana Castro
null at Orange County Registrar of Voters
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Ryan Gonzales
null at Integration Works, Inc.
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Solomon Yigzaw
null at AccessEd Solutions
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Steven Auclair
null at California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities
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Susan DeMarios
Director at California Department of Aging
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Tracy McAulay
null at County of Ventura
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Vance Taylor
Chief, Office of Access and Functional Needs at California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
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Vanessa Acain
null at Access Central Coast
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Yolanda Cruz
null at State Council on Developmental Disabilities
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Event Details
- Date
- September 23-26, 2025
- 4 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Ventura, United States
- Ventura, California
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Government officials, community organizations, advocates, individuals interested in disability inclusion
- CLE Credits
- Not specified
- Attendees
- Not specified