Join us on October 8, 2026, for Disability:IN North Carolina’s biggest in-person event—the 2026 Fall Conference, celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s theme, “Signs at the Crossroads: The Pathway to Opportunity,” challenges us to reflect on life’s turning points and how our choices create new possibilities. Be inspired by keynote speakers who embody resilience and share powerful stories of innovation, resourcefulness, and opportunity. Don’t miss this chance to connect and be part of a movement for change! Meet our Keynote Speakers.
Finding my Power in the Roll
Jesi Stracham, Co-Founder of the Wheel With Me Foundation, Author, Speaker & Advocate
Jesi Stracham inspires others to rise above adversity, transforming personal challenge into lasting impact. After a life-changing spinal cord injury at the crossroads of HWY 16 & 85, she became a driving force for empowerment and innovation. Her work on the Wheel With Me Adapt Fit app empowers wheelchair users to build strength and independence, while her Wheel With Me Foundation and adult summer camp create a supportive community for growth and transformation. Jesi’s story is a testament to what’s possible when resilience meets purpose. “My crossroad story came about 2 years after the spinal cord injury that left me paralyzed. I fell on the floor and couldn’t get back up. I felt so sorry for myself, I decided to pick up the camera and record my meltdown about falling. Little did I know it would lead me down the path to empowering not only the disabled community but my community to put more effort into creating a better life.”
Healing from Both Sides of the Bedside
Dr. Michelle Johnson, DNP, MSN-NE, RN
Dr. Michelle Johnson, DNP, is a visionary nursing leader with over 26 years of experience transforming patient care across diverse healthcare settings. From earning her Nursing Diploma at Mercy School of Nursing to completing her DNP at South College, Dr. Johnson’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence. She has led innovation and research in acute care, outpatient services, and the insurance sector, while mentoring the next generation of nurses. At the Department of Veterans Affairs, she has elevated quality and safety as a Surgical Case Manager and now excels as Assistant Chief Nurse of Sterile Processing Services, championing infection prevention, and operational excellence. Her story of resilience and inspiration motivates audiences to meet challenges with courage and conviction. “ As a nurse, healing is my profession. As a breast cancer survivor, healing became personal. This reflection conveys what I have learned from my experience in healthcare through the eyes of both a caregiver and a patient.”
Early Bird Registration available until August 20th = $129.00 per person
$149.00 per person after August 20th | Table Sponsor (6) = $700.00
Where: Trane Technologies |800 Beaty Street, Building A Davidson, NC 28036
When: October 8, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Sponsorship Opportunities & Vendor Tables are Available
Contact Pat Keul at Pat@di-nc.org (704-621-7969) or Justin Francis at Justin@di-nc.org