Panel Discussion:
Designing In-Person Education Events That Are Neuro-Inclusive

In-person education events like conferences and courses provide essential knowledge that advances professions and transforms industries. But only if these programs can meet the needs of a diverse population.

An estimated 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent – which includes autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, among other information processing disorders (although, that number could easily be as high as 40% according to some sources).

For these learners, the in-person format presents challenges that should be addressed as part of your program design.

But how do you design for something that many of us don’t fully understand?

During this 1-hour live discussion, Omnipress Director of Marketing Tracy Grzybowski (herself the mom to an autistic teen and wife to a dyslexic husband), is joined by three esteemed neurodiversity advocates.

Together, we’ll discuss:

• What is neurodiversity, and why is it so important to recognize and understand?
• What it means to be neurodivergent, how they experience in-person events, and WHY
• Steps every meeting and training professional should take to make their in-person education events neuro-inclusive

Meet the Panelists:

Dr. Daniel Wendler
PsyD, Speaker, Author, Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Wendler is a best-selling author, nationally recognized keynote speaker, and a proud autistic self-advocate.  He is the author of two books (Improve Your Social Skills and Level Up Your Social Life), a two-time TEDx speaker, and the co-author of the upcoming Audible lecture series “Neurodiversity and the Myth of Normal.” In addition to his writing and speaking, Daniel works as a clinical psychologist specializing in autism, neurodiversity, and social relationships. Connect with him at DanielWendler.com.

Samantha Evans, CAE, ICE-CCP, MBA
Certification Manager at the IAAP

Samantha (Sam) Evans, (she/her/hers) CAE, ICE-CCP, MBA from Atlanta, GA is the Certification Manager at the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), a division of G3ict. Sam works with accessibility subject matter experts and professionals around the world to maintain, build, and deliver accessibility certification programs. Sam channels the work of IAAP members and the accessibility community to establish benchmarks of knowledge, skills, and concepts for accessibility professionals. Sam is also an accessibility and inclusion advocate and is active in the association management and credentialing professions. Sam earned her MBA in International Business from Kennesaw State University and holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the ICE-Certified Credentialing Professional credential from Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE).

Megan Hufton, certified Autism Specialist
Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin

Megan Hufton is a mom to two boys (ages 13 and 11) with non-speaking Autism living in Black Earth, WI. She is also a certified Autism Specialist and the Development Coordinator for the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin. She is passionate about advocating for the Autism community and educating others to create a more accessible world for those impacted by Autism.