The Government & Disability Summit is an annual event organized by the County of Ventura, California, dedicated to advancing disability access through collaboration, lived experiences, and innovative thinking. The third annual summit, themed "Access that Moves Us: Quality Care, Mobility, and Safety," is scheduled for September 1-3, 2026, in Ventura, California.
The summit will cover a wide range of topics, including emergency preparedness, transportation, voting, employment, health, recreation, accessibility, technology, collaboration, and addressing the needs of hard-to-reach populations. These sessions aim to address barriers to essential services and promote independent living within access-forward communities.
Attendees will have opportunities to engage in collaborative dialogues with diverse stakeholders, explore innovative solutions to access barriers, and learn from leading experts in accessibility, policies, and programs. The event will also feature networking opportunities, an expo hall, and notable speakers, providing a comprehensive platform for advancing disability inclusion.
The summit is ideal for representatives from various levels of government, non-profit organizations, and companies interested in increasing their involvement in disability access initiatives. Participants will gain valuable insights and tools to co-create a more inclusive future for communities throughout California.
Speakers(35)
Aaron Carruthers
Director at State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Aaron Carruthers serves as the Director of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, advocating for the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Abigail Ridge
Representative at California Commission on Disability Access
Abigail Ridge represents the California Commission on Disability Access, promoting accessibility compliance in public accommodations.
Annie Kroll
Advocate
Annie Kroll is an advocate sharing her experiences with autism and hereditary spastic paraplegia to promote disability awareness.
Ashley Pope
Representative at Autism Society of Ventura County
Ashley Pope represents the Autism Society of Ventura County, advocating for neurodivergent individuals in emergency preparedness.
Aubrey Smith
Representative at Ventura County Transportation Commission
Aubrey Smith represents the Ventura County Transportation Commission, working on making transit more accessible.
Brianna Martin
Representative at California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities
Brianna Martin represents the California Youth Leadership Forum, focusing on leadership development for students with disabilities.
Christina Mills
Executive Director at California Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Christina Mills is the Executive Director of the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging, focusing on services for older adults.
Colleen Smith
Representative at Workforce Development Board of Ventura County
Colleen Smith is a representative of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, focusing on workforce initiatives.
Dani Anderson
Disability Access Manager at Ventura County Office of Disability Access
Dani Anderson is the Disability Access Manager for Ventura County, working to enhance accessibility and inclusion within the community.
Dr. Mark DiCecco
Representative at DiCecco Architecture Incorporated
Dr. Mark DiCecco is a representative of DiCecco Architecture Incorporated, focusing on accessible housing design.
Dr. Rita Burke
Associate Professor at USC Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Rita Burke is an Associate Professor at USC, specializing in public health and pediatrics.
Eli Gelardin
Director at San Francisco Office on Disability and Accessibility
Eli Gelardin serves as the Director of the San Francisco Office on Disability and Accessibility, advocating for inclusive policies and practices.
Emily Moore
Representative at Northern Valley Catholic Social Services
Emily Moore represents Northern Valley Catholic Social Services, working on inclusive emergency preparedness and response.
Erin Kenneally
Representative at Ventura County Transportation Commission
Erin Kenneally is a representative of the Ventura County Transportation Commission, focusing on transit accessibility.
JR Antablian
Representative at California Department of Social Services
JR Antablian is a representative of the California Department of Social Services, focusing on emergency sheltering.
Jacob Lesner-Buxton
Representative at Access Central Coast
Jacob Lesner-Buxton represents Access Central Coast, advocating for assistive technology and civic participation.
Janelle Hahn
Representative at Ventura County Human Services Agency
Janelle Hahn represents the Ventura County Human Services Agency, working on disaster case management.
Jessica Clay
Advocate
Jessica Clay is an advocate with Cerebral Palsy, focusing on education, dance, and ongoing advocacy for disability rights.
Karen Flock
Representative at Ventura Housing Authority
Karen Flock represents the Ventura Housing Authority, working on housing accessibility.
Kelly Kivlahan
Representative at Access Central Coast
Kelly Kivlahan is a representative of Access Central Coast, focusing on improving connections between government and the disability community.
Kristina Miller
Representative at Team Rubicon
Kristina Miller represents Team Rubicon, working on creating inclusive and accessible volunteer opportunities.
Leticia Ortega
Representative at Ventura County In-Home Support Services Public Authority
Leticia Ortega is a representative of Ventura County In-Home Support Services Public Authority, focusing on in-home care services.
Mackenzie Mazen
Representative at Team Rubicon
Mackenzie Mazen is a representative of Team Rubicon, focusing on the intersectionality of disability and volunteerism.
Matt Baker
Representative at California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities
Matt Baker is a representative of the California Youth Leadership Forum, empowering youth with disabilities through peer mentorship.
Nina G.
Comedian and Disability Advocate
Nina G. is a comedian and disability advocate, using humor to address and challenge societal perceptions of disability.
Paula Johnson
Representative at The ARC of Ventura County
Paula Johnson represents The ARC of Ventura County, advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Rebecca Cokley
Program Officer at The Ford Foundation
Rebecca Cokley is a Program Officer at The Ford Foundation, focusing on disability rights and justice.
Ryan Gonzales
Representative at Integration Works, Inc.
Ryan Gonzales represents Integration Works, Inc., working on initiatives to support direct support professionals and care workers.
Solomon Yigzaw
Representative at AccessEd Solutions
Solomon Yigzaw is a representative of AccessEd Solutions, focusing on supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.
Sonia Kroth
Representative at Ventura County Human Services Agency
Sonia Kroth is a representative of the Ventura County Human Services Agency, focusing on community response and recovery.
Steven Auclair
Representative at California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities
Steven Auclair is a representative of the California Youth Leadership Forum, promoting self-advocacy among youth with disabilities.
Susan DeMarios
Director at California Department of Aging
Susan DeMarios is the Director of the California Department of Aging, overseeing programs and services for older adults.
Tracy McAulay
Representative at County of Ventura
Tracy McAulay represents the County of Ventura, working on universal design in housing.
Vance Taylor
Chief, Office of Access and Functional Needs at California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Vance Taylor leads the Office of Access and Functional Needs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, focusing on emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities.
Vanessa Acain
Representative at Access Central Coast
Vanessa Acain is a representative of Access Central Coast, advocating for universal design in housing.
Event Details
- Date
- September 1-3, 2026
- 3 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Ventura, United States
- Crowne Plaza Hotel
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Representatives from various levels of government, non-profit organizations, and companies interested in disability access initiatives.
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