2026 Events

Dr. Kapriskie Seide

The ADA at 36: Progress, Challenges, and Disaster Preparedness

Disability: IN North Carolina (DI-NC) celebrates the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a roundtable on disaster preparedness for people with disabilities. Less than two years ago, Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina, particularly Western NC—causing loss of life, destroyed homes, and community upheaval. Dr. Kapriskie Seide, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Davidson College, moderates the event. A survivor of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Dr. Seide researches adults with acquired physical disabilities and the impact of social inequality. The discussion features two leaders whose actions during and after the hurricane saved lives, especially among displaced people with disabilities.

Lauren Howard, Director of the NC Office on Disability and Health, has 27 years of public health experience and a master’s from UNC Chapel Hill. She has transformed disability services statewide.

LaDonna Huffaker, Workforce Engagement Manager for NCDHHS, holds a Master of Public Health from UNC Gillings and a bachelor’s from Brevard College. While Lauren led efforts from Raleigh, LaDonna was in Asheville, coordinating direct support and ensuring emergency shelters met access needs. During recovery, Lauren led daily briefings from the Emergency Operations Center, prioritizing disability needs. LaDonna’s outreach guaranteed accessible support. Their leadership kept people with disabilities at the forefront, earning them the 2025 Kerri Eaker Mountain Mover Award.

Sara Cullen, Human Resources Business Partner at Biogen

Business2Business Meeting | Understanding Neurodivergence: How to Unlock High Performance

Current workforce trends suggest that by 2040, over 40% of the global workforce will identify as neurodivergent (Everway,2024).  For companies that get this right, neurodivergent human capital management will lead to work environments that are more systematic, organized, productive, and agile. On June 10, Disability:IN North Carolina welcomes Sara Cullen, Human Resources Business Partner at Biogen.  Sara will share her perspective as a late-identified neurodivergent woman and a parent navigating the same experiences with her two children.  Join us to learn more about how to unlock high performance through enabling more neurodiverse ways of working. 

PAST EVENTS

2026 DI-NC Wellness@Work Navigating Chronic Health Conditions and Mental Health at Work

Managing the intersections of chronic health conditions and mental health challenges requires a multi-faceted approach including proactive communication, a supportive culture, and flexible, personalized adjustments to work environments. On May 19, 2026, Disability:IN North Carolina hosted Tony Williams, Founder of the Olandus Foundation, who led a roundtable discussion with guest speakers, Dr. Amanda Kloo, Ph.D., Director of Inclusive Recreation at the National Inclusion Project (NIP) and Steve Chesley, CEO of EVORA Solutions for this year’s Wellness@Work event. Thank you to our host sponsors, MetLife, Novant Health, and Atrium Health for making this event possible.

Business2Business Meeting “Disability Rights in the Workplace: Protections, Accommodations & Obligations”

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has the authority to investigate charges of discrimination against employers who are covered by the law. EEOC’s role in an investigation is to assess the allegations fairly and accurately in the charge and then make a finding. If EEOC finds that discrimination has occurred, they will try to settle the charge. If EEOC is not successful in settling the case, they have the authority to file a lawsuit to protect the rights of individuals and the interests of the public and litigate a small percentage of these cases. When deciding to file a lawsuit, the EEOC considers several factors such as the strength of the evidence, the issues in the case, and the wider impact the lawsuit could have on the EEOC’s efforts to combat workplace discrimination. EEOC also works to prevent discrimination before it occurs through outreach, education, and technical assistance programs. Join us on April 8th, 2026, to learn more about Disability Rights in the Workplace: Protections, Accommodations & Obligations.

Business2Business Meeting “Navigating the Dept. of Justice Mandate: Ensuring Digital Compliance and Accessibility”

With the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) set to enforce new digital accessibility mandates in April 2026, organizations across all sectors need to prepare to meet the technical standards while still delivering an accessible experience for all customers, including customers with disabilities. DINC is pleased to announce that @Kelly Jan, Senior Business Development Executive at Recite Me will join our B2B series on March 11th at 3:30pm (EST). Kelly will present, ‘Navigating the Dept. of Justice Mandate: Ensuring Digital Compliance and Accessibility’ as she breaks down what the DOJ mandate means in real terms and equips you with the clarity and confidence needed to prepare your digital platforms ahead of the deadline.

Watch the Recap

Business2Business Meeting “Creating Inclusive Workplaces With Dr. Kirk Adams”

Creating inclusive workplaces is crucial for any organization that wants to get the mostout of its talent. This means creating an environment where everyone feels like they belong, has equal opportunities, is empowered to do their best work, and feels comfortable making requests and contributing ideas. In this B2B meeting, Dr. Adam Kirk outlines the steps that exemplary leaders take to create more inclusive workplaces.

Business2Business Meeting “Expanding Communication Accessibility, Understanding, and Comprehension with Intentionality”

When we hear words like inclusivity and accessibility, we often picture something overwhelming—costly, complicated, legalistic, or time-consuming. What if, instead, we reframed these concepts as powerful golden opportunities? This workshop explores how intentional communication practices can set you apart from competitors and strengthen your ability to serve customers, clients, and patients. Join us as Dr. Anne McIntosh, CEO, and Founder of Safe’N’Clear explores intentional communication.

Watch the recap.

Business2Business Meeting “Remote Work as an ADA Accommodation”

As employers continue to require their employees to return to the office full-time, what impact could this have on employees with disabilities?  Join us as we explore together how to navigate these conversations with confidence to reach the best solution for everyone.

When: December 10, 2025, from 3:30pm – 4:30pm (EST)

Where: B2B meetings are Virtual. Use Link below to register.

Register at:   https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/jeransw