Employment & Inclusion Conference 2026: The Power of Expectations
by Center for Employment and Inclusion (CEI) at Utah State University
The Employment & Inclusion Conference 2026: The Power of Expectations is an inaugural event organized by the Center for Employment and Inclusion (CEI) at Utah State University. This conference aims to bring together disability professionals to explore best practices in employment, share experiences, and network with organizations and agencies dedicated to disability inclusion.
Key topics include the impact of expectations on employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, strategies for fostering high-expectation cultures within organizations, and practical tools for supporting personal autonomy and self-determination. Sessions will cover areas such as Customized Employment, Discovery processes, and the application of video modeling in employment settings.
The conference features a keynote presentation by Beth Keeton, Executive Director of Griffin-Hammis Associates, discussing the role of expectations in designing effective employment systems. Additional sessions will be led by experts like Shannon Wilkins, Director of Employment Services at Community Options, Inc., and Dr. Ryan Kellems, Associate Professor at Brigham Young University, offering insights into building capacity among employment support providers and utilizing technology to enhance workplace performance.
This event is ideal for disability service providers, employment specialists, job coaches, educators, employers, family members, and self-advocates seeking to enhance their understanding and implementation of inclusive employment practices. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge, practical strategies, and opportunities to connect with peers committed to advancing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Categories
Speakers(10)
Beth Keeton
Executive Director at Griffin-Hammis Associates
Beth Keeton is a nationally recognized leader in disability employment whose work has shaped both practice and systems in Customized Employment for nearly three decades. She has played a leading role in advancing evidence-based practice, including championing the creation of the Customized Employment Fidelity Scales. Beth’s current work focuses on supporting states to strengthen employment systems using the GHA-developed Customized Employment Blueprint alongside fidelity measures. She is the co-author of Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities.
Kim Belliston
Organizational Development at Zion Bank Corporation
Leah Lobato
Coordinator of Business Relations at Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
Leah Lobato is the Coordinator of Business Relations with the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, a Division of the Department of Workforce Services, and a Certified ADA Coordinator (ADAC). She promotes the employment and retention of individuals with disabilities in competitive employment by fostering public and private partnerships. Leah has a BS degree from the University of Utah and is a Certified Public Manager. She has worked with individuals with disabilities in various service areas and serves on multiple boards and committees related to disability employment.
Libby Oseguera
Executive Director at Utah Developmental Disabilities Council
Libby Oseguera has dedicated over twenty years to public service, with experience in adaptive recreation, job coaching, advocacy programming, policy development, and active engagement in systems change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Currently, she is the Executive Director of the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, where she is committed to supporting and empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve inclusive, meaningful, and self-determined lives within their communities.
Mary Anne Davies
Attorney at Disability Law Center
Mary Anne Davies is an attorney with the Disability Law Center. She earned her Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah and her law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Her legal practice has focused on individual litigation of disability-based employment discrimination, systemic litigation and advocacy to ensure people with disabilities are able to live, work, and receive services in integrated community settings.
Michelle Murphey
Parent Consultant/Transition Specialist at Transition University, Utah Parent Center
Natasha Burningham
Parent Consultant/Transition Specialist at Transition University, Utah Parent Center
Shannon Wilkins
Director of Employment Services & Development at Community Options
Taylor Walters
Training & Development Specialist at IDRPP Utah State University
Tim Riesen
Director of Research & Training at Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice, Utah State University
Event Details
- Date
- March 24, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Logan, United States
- USU Salt Lake Center
- Pricing
- $100 per person
- Audience
- Disability service providers, employment specialists, job coaches, educators, employers, family members, self-advocates.
- CLE Credits
- 6 CEUs are available for attending.