More than 250 self-advocates with disabilities attended the SOAR conference hosted, in part, by the Munroe-Meyer Institute last month.
The three-day conference offered presentations led by individuals with disabilities. Topics focused on how to advocate for yourself on personal and systems levels, said Mark Shriver, PhD, director of MMI’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
Other sessions covered communicating with others, planning ahead and navigating different systems.
This year’s conference, held in early October, was hosted in conjunction with People First of Nebraska. It drew attendees from seven states.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, Dr. Shriver said. The breakout sessions and keynote speakers resonated with attendees. One of the biggest highlights was the opportunity to connect with other individuals with disabilities both at the conference sessions and the conference entertainment events.
“I think it’s important, particularly now as there’s a lot of change at federal and state levels related to systems of care for individuals with disabilities,” Dr. Shriver said. “It helps them learn how they can advocate for themselves to ensure that the systems and supports in place are going to be most beneficial for them.”