We are back and ready for more! Join us for our
2024 Silver State Self-Advocacy Conference
in Reno, Nevada, Tuesday August 6 and Wednesday, August 7, 2024!
Registration is free but required for all attendees.
Register to attend the conference: HERE
We have vendor opportunities as well! If your organization can benefit the disability community, we invite you to register to be a vendor on August 6! Registration is free but we ask that you please provide us with a raffle prize (no more than $20 in value) for our guests!
Register to be a vendor: HERE
Applications for speakers have closed!
If you have additional questions, please contact Rebecca Ortiz at rortiz@dhhs.nv.gov or 775-684-8619.
All registered guests will receive information in their registered email in June 2024 for all conference related details! If you have requested travel or hotel accommodations, this information will be included in that email!
PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY!!!!
Event Dates: August 6-7, 2024
Event Location: Grand Sierra Resort – Reno NV
The Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities invites you to attend the Silver State Self-Advocacy Conference 2024, a conference by and for the I/DD community, their family members, and the professionals that work alongside them!
This event is in partnership with many agencies from the disability community!
Registration is FREE and open to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), family members of those with I/DD, and professionals who work in this community. Every person planning to attend the conference, must fill out a separate registration, this includes PCAs and support persons. If you do not fill out a registration, you will not be permitted to attend the conference.
Funds are available to assist in covering expenses for travel, PCA costs, and meals not provided during the conference however these funds are limited and will be based on a first come, first served basis and much be selected on the registration.
Airline tickets and hotel rooms are available on a first come, first served basis and must be requested on your registration. These will be arranged for you. You will be contacted to confirm airline tickets prior to purchase.
Information on our Self-Advocates Networking Night can be found at: Self-Advocacy Networking Night – Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (nevadaddcouncil.org)
Hotel Rooms
This conference will be held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. For those that are attending the conference and have requested a hotel room, these rooms must be reserved directly by conference staff. There is not a public room block. For those interested in staying at the hotel that do not qualify for a free room, you must contact the hotel directly to reserve your room at the regular room rate.
Free hotel rooms are only available for those that live 50 miles or more from the hotel conference space and must be indicated at the time of registration. Hotel rooms will be shared unless specifically noted on your registration due to gender or medical reasons. Hotel rooms will be shared with PCA’s unless there is concern of privacy. Funding for mileage, PCA fees and meals not covered at the conference is available on a reimbursement basis. You MUST fill out a reimbursement form at the Conference to request reimbursement. (We will not accept any forms after the conference. No exceptions.)
You will be notified if funds are no longer available for support. Conference attendees who have travel funds available through their organization must use those funds first.
** If you request airline tickets and/or a hotel room we MUST be able to get a hold of anyone traveling for scheduling. If we contact you and we don’t hear back from you within 24 hours we will move on to the next person until funds are gone. You also must have the proper federal identification to fly. **
Conference agendas and additional materials will be sent in July 2024, to all registered attendees. No materials will be available prior to this.
VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE IS NOT AVAILABLE!!
Keynote Speakers
Main Keynote – Katey Fortun
From a struggling student diagnosed with a learning disability, to a college graduate, Interior Designer, multimillion dollar Account Executive, former Lecturer at UW-Stout, Motivational Speaker, podcast host and so much more, Katey Fortun doesn’t give up! Katey has had many different career experiences so far in her 30+ years of life and she takes those experiences and shares them with the world in hopes to inspire people all over the world. Speaking is Katey’s superpower, and she has had the pleasure of speaking to so many kids, teens and adults around world, in person, virtually and on her podcast. It brings her true joy to connect with students and inspire them to know they are amazing just the way they are.
Katey believes that everyone has Different Abilities and it’s time to let our Different Abilities shine bright! You are amazing, you are important, you are strong, you are smart and the world needs you just the way you were made!
“You can do anything you put your mind to, with a lot of hard work, determination and never giving up! It’s not your disability, it’s your Different Ability®!” – Katey
Additional Keynote – Cody Clark
Cody Clark is a 30 year old professional magician/autistic self-advocate from Louisville, KY. He was diagnosed with autism at 15 months of age and his parents were warned he’d never walk, talk, hold down jobs, or tell them he loved them. His parents’ tenacity combined with therapy services received from autism specialists and at schools allowed him to surpass all expectations!
He shares his magic shows and talks for audiences ranging from public library patrons, K-12 students, college students, educators, and corporate employees how autism makes him see the world differently and that he and others with autism have similar life goals and desires as anyone else. His favorite type of audience however, is when he gets to help others with disabilities become successful adults. His mission is to help people realize that differences like autism are nothing to be scared of – but rather a different way of thinking.
His past clients include major universities like University of Kentucky and Ohio State University, corporations like Energizer Batteries and Delta Faucet Company, and he’s even testified for the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee! He can be found at codyclarkmagic.com or on social media as @codyclarkmagic.
Tentative Agenda
Those that are flying from Las Vegas will stay overnight on August 5 & 6, 2024, flying home around 3:00 PM on the August 7, 2024. Final flight information will be available as soon as March 2024. Travel and hotel arrangements will be made by NGCDD staff.
(For those traveling to/from Las Vegas) August 5th: Flight to Reno mid-day, all meals on your own
August 6th: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM with breakfast and lunch served, dinner on your own August 7th: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM with breakfast and boxed lunch for those traveling 50+ miles home.
(For those traveling to/from Las Vegas) Flight Home on August 7th 5:15 PM arriving in Las Vegas at 6:35 PM.
Monday, August 5th, 2024
VENUE: Bowling Business Center | Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) – Reno, NV
| TIME | DETAILS |
| 11:00 AM – Arrival in Reno | Meet on the plane through: Harry Reed International Airport/McCarren, Las Vegas, NV Flight: Southwest Airlines Details: To be announced! |
| Anticipated Arrival in Reno at 3:15 PM | Pick-up at Airport for transport to Venue: GSR Travelers with no mobility needs will take the free shuttle provided to/from the airport/GSR. Travelers with mobility needs will be transported in wheelchair accessible vans to/from the hotel/GSR. ALL mobility transports will need to notify us prior. |
| 6-8 PM | Self-Advocacy Networking Mixer Sponsored by the NGCDD at Grand Sierra Resort with a Magic Show by Cody Clark |
Information on our Self-Advocates Networking Night can be found at: Self-Advocacy Networking Night – Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (nevadaddcouncil.org)
Tuesday, August 6th, 2024
VENUE: Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) – Reno, NV
| TIME | DETAILS |
| 7:30 AM | Registration and Breakfast Opens |
| 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Networking Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Opening Remarks and Introduction of Keynote Speaker – Katey Fortun |
| 9:00 AM – 9:55 AM | Breakouts A |
| 10:00 AM – 10:55 AM | Breakouts B |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | General Session |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch with 2nd Keynote – Dis-Impos-Ability – Cody Clark |
| 1:05 PM – 2:00 PM | Breakouts C |
| 2:00 PM – 2:25 PM | Networking Break with light snacks |
| 2:30 PM – 3:25 PM | Breakouts D |
| 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Panel or General Session |
| 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Freshen up! |
| 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Partners in Policymaking Graduation Ceremony (Invitation Only) |
Vendor Fair is scheduled to take place on August 6th from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday, August 7th, 2024
VENUE: Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) – Reno, NV
| TIME | DETAILS |
| 7:30 AM – | Registration Opens |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Network Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Opening Remarks with Special Guest |
| 9:00 AM – 9:55 AM | Breakouts E |
| 9:55 AM – 10:55 AM | Breakouts F |
| 12:00 PM | Hotel Check Out and Boxed Lunches for Out of Town Travelers |
| 12:30 PM | Travel to Airport (Mobility Transportation will leave at 1:00 PM SHARP) |
| 5:15 PM | Flight Home (tentative) for Las Vegas Attendees: RNO 5:15 PM to LAS 6:35 PM (1 hour 20 minutes) – CONFIRMATION WILL BE SENT TO INDIVIDUAL ATTENDEES |
Speaker Photos and Bios
Heather Lafferty is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion/Access, and Functional Needs Coordinator for the Nevada Division of Emergency Management (DEM). Heather is a member of the Nevada Resilience Advisory Committee, where she advocates and supports the incorporation and consideration of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs before, during, and after disasters. Heather is a grassroot scholar in disability and advocacy and co-creator of the Nevada Access & Functional Needs Working Group, a consortium of disability service providers, government and non-government agencies, and advocacy organizations that provide services to individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. Before joining DEM, she educated over 600 armed and unarmed physical security officers in active assailant response and interdiction, stop the bleed, and controlled force defensive tactics methods.
Kimberly Palma-Ortega is the Public Health Liaison overseeing Emergency Preparedness, Access & Functional Needs and Community Health Work for the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD). Kimberly represents the council and the I/DD population across multiple boards, councils and commissions in varying roles statewide. Promoting access to health services by connecting individuals within their community while increasing knowledge, self-advocacy, education, counseling, and social support through outreach. Kimberly works closely with the State Emergency Operations Center and Emergency Planning staff across the state to providing support, resources and education.
Connor Fogal is a man born with cerebral palsy. He feels that despite receiving this diagnosis, he has not let this stop him from reaching his goals and doing what he loves to do. Connor loves to paint, snow ski, run marathons and sky dive. Yes, he said SKY DIVE! His long-term goal is to bring awareness to the world about all types of disabilities. He’d eventually like people to know that people with disabilities want and deserve to be treated just like everyone else.
Ellen Marquez is a proud mother of an adult daughter with Down Syndrome and has lived in Gardnerville, Nevada for 25 years. She earned her Associates Degree in Deaf Studies and has a passion for teaching in the disability community. Before joining the Council in 2017 as the Executive Assistant, Ellen worked for the Nevada IDEA Part C Office.
Ellen used her personal experience and gained further knowledge about the disability community which provided her the opportunity to transition into her current role as the Self-Advocacy Coordinator in 2022. She has now served the disability community for nearly a decade. Ellen enjoys spending time with her family, going to the Ace’s Baseball games, traveling areas of Nevada, and supporting the Special Olympics of Carson City.
Beth Jones lives in Henderson, Nevada with her husband Josh and their three wonderful teenagers. Before becoming a mother, Beth earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education. Her oldest and youngest children were diagnosed at early ages as being deaf/hard of hearing and has worked to educate herself to be able to support all DHH children. Beth started with Nevada Hands & Voices in 2013 holding various positions and became Executive Director in 2020. Among serving on multiple other committees, Beth is a graduate of Partners in Policymaking and sits on the Legislative sub-committee for the Nevada Commission for Persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Harrison Jones is a passionate self-advocate from Henderson and in his 8th grade year as a Theater Arts major at a magnet school. He has been involved in the No Limits for Deaf Children summer theater program since 2016 and has had a passion for karate for the past six years, recently earning his red belt. In 2023 he was invited to join the inaugural Student Team of Role Models “STORM” squad at his karate dojo where he learns leadership skills. Diagnosed at birth as being deaf/hard of hearing, Harrison continues to utilize opportunities to participate and take leadership roles within his community to improve his knowledge and self advocacy skills.
Britnie Marquez is currently a teacher for students with autism and a co-teacher of biology. She has been a teacher since 2015 and earned a master’s in special education and early childhood education. Her bachelor’s degree is in psychology. Britnie is now a PhD candidate at the University of Nevada, Reno, in special education and disability.
Britnie also works as a lead educator with the Discovery Museum with ages kindergarten through middle school. She volunteers her time working with animals through the Nevada Humane Society, Lead with Horses and Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.
Diane Thorkildson, MPH, is the Assistant Director of the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED). She is also the lead Family Faculty member for Nevada Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NvLEND). Prior to joining the NCED, Diane was a non-profit administrator for 20 years, providing superior program development, program evaluation, personnel management, and organizational leadership for several local community-based agencies. In her time as an administrator, she successfully led several large-scale, community-based system change efforts that resulted in the permanent expansion of services for vulnerable populations. She has a detailed understanding of Nevada’s various systems of care and understands the political and fiscal complexities that arise during significant system change. Beyond her professional experience, Diane brings personal perspective to this project, as she is also a parent of an adolescent daughter with a neurodevelopmental disability. Her role as a parent of a child with a disability has helped to further deepen her passion for improving systems of care for people with disabilities.
Regina Daniel is a lifetime advocate dedicated to assisting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, age restrictions, or physical limitations in garnering appropriate informational and resource services. via research, discussion, community outreach, and coalition building. An active volunteer, advocate, and spokesperson for aged and disabled community’s efforts to have appropriate health coverage, enjoy peer and community integration, and pursue the preferred goal of self-sufficiency, because choice matters.
Guy Stephens lives in Southern Maryland with his wife and two amazing children. He is the Founder and Executive Director of The Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), a nonprofit he started in 2019. AASR is a community of over 25,000 parents, self-advocates, teachers, school administrators, paraprofessionals, attorneys, related service providers, and others working together to influence change in supporting children whose behaviors are often misunderstood. He has presented at conferences and events across North America and guest lectures for undergraduate and graduate courses as a national expert on the issue of restraint and seclusion.
Obioma Officer was born and raised in the East Bay Area of California. Growing up in a mainstream setting with hearing loss, diagnosed at the age of 8 with Auditory Processing Disorder, Obioma didn’t begin signing until she was a freshman in High School. Graduating in 1999 from James Logan High School in Fremont, CA, Obioma went on to Ohlone College in Fremont, CA to pursue a degree in Deaf Studies. And now has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in strategic leadership.
As a founder of nonprofit organizations, advocacy movements, and a strong background in executive leadership, Obioma actively utilizes her degrees to open doors in the community for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) community. Prioritizing full access for the D/HH and their families, while bridging hearing organizations to Deaf culture and D/HH community needs.
Currently the Executive Director of the Nevada Commission for Persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Obioma continues to strive to see greater attention and acknowledgement of the current needs those who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Speech Impaired (D/HH/SI) throughout the state of Nevada while supporting and educating providers and community members with statewide resources.
Being a promoter of Deaf advocacy and awareness for over two decades, Obioma’s personal mission is to seek equitable treatment and access for all within the D/HH/SI community nationwide.
For more information or questions, please contact:
Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities
406 East Second Street
Carson City, Nevada 89701
Phone: 775-684-8619
Email: rortiz@dhhs.nv.gov
**Individuals needing special assistance, must be accompanied by a support person or personal care attendant. All supervision, medical and personal care needs are the responsibility of each conference participant.
DUE TO LIMITED FUNDING AVAILABLE, registration and reimbursement funds are available on a first come, first served basis. Once funds are depleted, alternative funding will need to be acquired by the attendee.
*** By registering for this event, you agree that you have read, understand, and agree to all information listed above. ***
Information on our Self-Advocates Networking Night can be found at: Self-Advocacy Networking Night – Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (nevadaddcouncil.org)