Now More Than Ever: 2015 Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference!
NOW MORE THAN EVER was the name of Rhode Island's 20th Annual Statewide Self-Advocacy conference and a celebration of more than 20 years of Self-Advocacy here in our state!
NOW MORE THAN EVER was a celebration of 20 years of Statewide Self-Advocacy Conferences here in our state and it was a BLAST! Thank you to this year's conference volunteers, presenters, sponsors and the 400 plus attendees who made the 2015 event a huge success! In addition to the amazing line-up of 18 incredible workshop presentations listed below, we were pleased to welcome Nicole LeBlanc from Green Mountain Self-Advocates in Vermont as this year's Conference Keynote Speaker!
Nicole LeBlanc is amazing Self-Advocates who works for Green Mountain Self-Advocates as an Advocacy Director. She has always been interested in public policy and has a passion to promote the rights of people who have a developmental disability. She has combined this with her skills as a communicator to share the needs of people who have developmental disabilities with public officials. Nicole’s position at GMSA also takes her around Vermont to visit local Self-Advocacy groups and support her peers so that they are comfortable talking to their elected officials about what they need.
Nicole has been the keynote speaker at the People First of Missouri conference and Albama’s statewide Self-Advocacy conference. As part of her experiences as a Self-Advocate, she also completed an internship at the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Washington, DC. In addition, Nicole has earned a certificate of professional studies from the University of Vermont.
Nicole is a natural leader; chosen by her peers because of her unwavering commitment to speak the truth, even when it means speaking up to those who don’t always agree with her, or with what Self-Advocacy is all about. Her motto is, “Control Your Own Destiny or Someone Else Will”, which she plan to speak up during her keynote at this year’s conference.
The Opening Session and Keynote Address are just the beginning of an amazing day! In previous years, we have had approximately 300 people during the conference day and another 300 plus for the evening dinner dance. We hope you can join us this year and help set a record for highest number of attendees at Now More Than Ever, Rhode Island's 20th Anniversary Self-Advocacy Conference Celebration!
Check out the 18 amazing presentations that took place at the 2015 Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference!
You can also download the workshop descriptions in PDF format by CLICKING HERE!
Congratulations to the 2015 SELF-ADVOCACY AWARD WINNERS!
Thank You 2015 CONFERENCE SPONSORS
The 2015 Statewide Self-Advocacy conference was made possible with the generous support of our sponsors. All of the donations received helped to offset the registration costs for conference attendees, allowing us to keep the overall cost to attend as low as possible for everyone.
Thank you to the following organizations, businesses and individuals. We appreciate your support. Together we're making a difference!!
Access Point
Bridges, Inc
Bridge Building Services
AMF Cranston Bowl
Basil's Pizza
Boston Red Sox
Cinema World
Mary Ann & Bob, in Honor of Matt Chase
Dan and Cindy Smalley and Family
Delken Dry Cleaning & Laundromats
Edible Arrangements
Gaits Of Haven
Graphic Perspectives
Harriet's Kitchen
Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House
Java Madness
Living Innovations
Looking Upwards
The John E. Moran Foundation
New England Patriots
Nino's Pizza
Opportunities Unlimited
Pepperidge Farms
ProAbility, Inc.
Providence Bruins
Puppy Palace Pet Salon
Seven Hills Rhode Island
Shore’s Market
The Rhode Island DD Council
The Rhode Island Disability Law Center
The RI Parent Information Network
The Travel Connection
Thundermist Healthcare
Trinity Repertory Company
CLICK HERE to view the conference materials from Power Up, last year's Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference, including the 2014 conference program and infomercials!
This Page was updated on:
November 9, 2015
