Stronger Together Conference Program
DAY ONE: FRIDAY, MAY 15
3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Registration
Location: 1st Floor, to the left of the entry doors near the front desk
Check in and meet your Peer Mentor leader. Receive your chosen version of the agenda and program. Optional sign-ups available for activities.
Hotel Room Check-In
Location: Front Desk
Receive your conference welcome bag and room key.
5:00–6:00 p.m. — Hotel O&M Tours (Optional)
Location: 1st Floor, to the left of the entry doors
Facilitator: O&M Instructor
An O&M instructor will guide participants through essential areas of the hotel, including meeting rooms and key spaces used throughout the conference.
6:00–7:00 p.m. — Welcome Dinner
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A, B and C
Enjoy a plated dinner to kick off the Stronger Together Conference.
7:00–7:45 p.m. — Welcome Message
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A, B & C
Presenters:
- Janet George, DSB Pre-ETS Specialist
- Lisa Wheeler, DSB Assistant Director of Vocational Rehabilitation – Workforce Initiatives
- Joe Dlugo, WSSB
Welcoming messages focused on the purpose of Stronger Together, experience, innovation, and the role of AI in a changing world.
8:00–8:30 p.m. — Youth Activity
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A, B & C
Interactive youth-focused evening activity led by the peer mentors.
8:30–9:00 p.m. — Optional Hotel O&M Tours
Location: Registration Area
8:45–9:00 p.m. — ST Planning Team & Mentors Meeting
Location: 1st Floor - Alder
Brief meeting for the Stronger Together planning team and peer mentors.
DAY TWO: SATURDAY, MAY 16
7:30–10:00 a.m. — Registration Continues
Location: 1st Floor, outside Discovery Ballrooms
8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. — Quiet Room Open
Location: TBD
A quiet, low-stimulus space available throughout the day by request. Please reach out to a conference staff member for access.
8:00–8:50 a.m. — Breakfast
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A, B & C
Continental breakfast with service and assistance.
9:00–9:25 a.m. — General Session: Welcome & Keynote
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A, B & C
Keynote Speaker: Mike Buckley, Chairman and CEO, Be My Eyes
Michael Buckley is Chairman and CEO of Be My Eyes. He is an angel investor and advisor, a founder and Chairman of the food company Ocean's Halo, and a member of the management teams at both Twilio and Facebook. He also served as California Communications Director for Mike Bloomberg's presidential campaign.
Mike has guest lectured on startups and communications at numerous business schools including Stanford, NYU, and IESE/Barcelona. He received a B.A. in Political Science and Communication from Marist College. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his family.
Opening keynote to begin the day’s learning and collaboration.
9:35–10:30 a.m. — General Session: Overcoming Challenges of Assistive Technology & AI
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A, B & C
Facilitated roundtable discussions focused on barriers to accessing assistive technology and artificial intelligence, including a panel of youth and industry experts responding to themes and audience questions.
Facilitators:
- Joy Thomas, M. Ed
- Jenelle Landgraf, LICSW
Panelists:
- Mike Buckley, Chairman and CEO, Be My Eyes
- Amelia Lang, Youth Leader
- Kate Glazko PhD Student, Computer Science (AI & Accessibility), University of Washington
- Ting Siu, TVI/O&M, Ph.D., Coordinator, Northwest Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT-NW)
- Eli Sanchez, Tech Trainer, Northwest Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT-NW)
10:00–11:30 a.m. — Marketplace Setup
Location: 1st Floor – Heritage E & F
Exhibitors prepare booths and demonstrations.
10:40–11:40 a.m. — AI Prompting with Theo & Murray
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A, B & C
Presenters:
- Theo Burkhalter, Peer Mentor
- Murray Elbourn, CEO Amerability
- Bryce Johnson, Principal Inclusive Designer at Microsoft
Hands-on session exploring effective AI prompting strategies and real-world applications.
11:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — Exhibitor Marketplace
Location: 1st Floor – Heritage E & F
Connect with industry professionals and organizations to explore services, products, and tools supporting independence, accessibility, and career readiness.
11:40 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Break
12:00–12:50 p.m. — Lunch
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A, B & C
Plated lunch served.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Youth will rotate through themed sessions focused on AI in the Home, AI in Education, and AI in the Workplace. Youth will also rotate through the exhibitor marketplace.
Youth mentors:
- Theo Burkhalter
- Abram Hostetler
- Landeon Vandinter
- Boon Dumrong
Special Thanks to AI lab assistants Krista Bulga, Eli Sanchez and Lee Chandler.
Families and professionals are invited to attend parallel sessions.
1:00–1:50 p.m. — Concurrent Sessions One
Youth Rotation 1
Locations: 1st Floor - Discovery C, D, E & Heritage E & F
Families & Professionals Track
AI IN THE HOME
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A & B
Presenters:
- Murray Elbourn, CEO Amerability
- Ting Siu, TVI/O&M, Ph.D., Coordinator, Northwest Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT-NW)
Exploration of AI tools for home use, including inventory lists and accessibility across Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Amazon platforms.
2:00–2:50 p.m. — Concurrent Sessions Two
Youth Rotation 2
Locations: 1st Floor - Discovery C, D, E & Heritage E & F
Families & Professionals Track
SCHOOL RESOURCES & TOOLS
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A & B
Presenters:
- Joy Thomas, M. Ed
- Ting Siu, TVI/O&M, Ph.D., Coordinator, Northwest Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT-NW)
Overview of school-based accessible technology and support systems, featuring the Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) and education professionals.
2:50–3:10 p.m. — BREAK
3:10–4:00 p.m. — Concurrent Sessions Three
Youth Rotation 3
Locations: 1st Floor - Discovery C, D, E & Heritage E & F
Families & Professionals Track
AI IN THE WORKPLACE
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A & B
Presenters:
- Jenelle Landgraf, LICSW
- Amelia Lang, Youth Leader
- Mohamed Al Jawadi, Youth Leader
- Kate Glazko, PhD Student, Computer Science (AI & Accessibility), University of Washington
4:10–5:00 p.m. — Concurrent Sessions Four
Youth Rotation 4
Locations: 1st Floor - Discovery C, D, E & Heritage E & F
Families & Professionals Track
SAFE LEARNING IN THE COMMUNITY
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A & B
Presenters: DSB Pre-ETS Program Staff
Presentation and conversation on continued safe learning in the community for students amid the increasing presence of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE).
4:10–5:00 p.m. — OPTIONAL FREE TIME
Families and professionals may use this time for networking or rest.
5:00–6:00 p.m. — CONFERENCE BREAK
6:00–6:45 p.m. — DINNER
Location: 1st Floor - Discovery A, B & C
Plated dinner with service.
6:45–7:45 p.m. — YOUTH TALENT SHOW
Location: 1st Floor, Discovery A, B & C
A supportive opportunity for youth to perform and share their talents (pre-registration required).
8:00–9:00 p.m. — BLIND SPORTS EXPO
Location: 1st Floor – Heritage E & F
Explore and participate in adapted sports such as goalball, blind tennis, and more.
DAY THREE: SUNDAY, MAY 17
8:00–8:50 a.m. — Breakfast
Location: 1st Floor – Discovery, A, B & C
Continental breakfast with service.
9:00–9:50 a.m. — AI & Mental Health: Impacts & Insights
Location: 1st Floor – Discovery A, B & C
Presenters:
- Jess Cummings, LMHCA
- Boon Dumrong, Youth Mentor
- Joy Thomas, M. Ed
- Jenelle Landgraf, LICSW
Interactive session exploring how AI interacts with mental health, including small group discussions, and shared reflection focused on safety, boundaries, and healthy use.
10:00–10:50 a.m. — Conference Campfire Circle
Location: 1st Floor – Heritage E & F
Reflective closing experience to share takeaways and celebrate the weekend.
10:50–11:00 a.m. — Checkout