Trailblazers, RI's 2026 Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference

Silhouette of a person in a wheelchair, raising their arms in triumph on top of a mountain. This is the logo for Trailblazers, Rhode Island's 2026 Self-Advocacy conference.

Thanks to Everyone who Joined Us for Trailblazers, Rhode Island's 2026 Self-Advocacy Conference!

This year's event was Rhode Island's 30th Annual Statewide Conference!

Conference Day- Virtual.
Thursday, May 7th from 10 am to 2:30pm

Day 1 of this year's event took place virtually over zoom on Thursday, May 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Check Out this Year's Conference Song Below:

Watch 2026 Leadership Series Class Members Share Their Trailblazer Stories:

Visit us again soon to view recordings from the Conference Day!

Check Out this Year's Awesome Workshop Presentations

**2026 Morning Workshop Descriptions (11:00 am - 12:00 Noon)**
	Working for Fun and Money! In this powerful presentation, you’ll hear how Jessica Callison and Audra Johnson have combined their love of pets with their employment goals. They’ll share stories about their job demonstrating Finley’s Dog Treats at Rumford Pet Centers around the State. Jay McKay & Elvys Ruiz from BHDDH will join this session to talk about how you can use Employment Services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities to support your own career path!	CLICK HERE to visit the Web Page for this Session
	YOU on the Map! Google Maps is a free online app that you can use to discover and navigate your community. In this interactive session, PJ Kochan will demonstrate how he used Google Maps to create a personalized community map based on his interests. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their own interests and discover how Google Maps can help them, too!	CLICK HERE to visit the Web Page for this Session
	How to Beat Loneliness We all get lonely from time to time. In this presentation, Katie Lowe and Bob Macaux will share suggestions and ideas as they lead a conversation about how to beat the blues.	CLICK HERE to visit the Web Page for this Session

**2026 Afternoon Workshop Descriptions (1:30 - 2:30 pm)**
	How to Speak Up at the Doctor’s In this session, Molly Smith, a community member with lived experience, will be joined by Brown University medical students Madeline Day and Joanne Lee. Molly and her co-presenters will share ideas about how to speak up when you’re at the doctor’s office and other medical settings. You may be the patient, but you’re still the person in charge. Remember, it’s your life!	CLICK HERE to visit the Web Page for this Session
	Supported Decision Making Supported Decision-Making is an alternative to Guardianships that puts YOU in charge of deciding how you want to live your life. In this presentation, Crystal Cerullo, Nick Fartura, and Anna Reagle will share a real-life account of someone with a disability using Supported Decision-Making, as well as a parent’s perspective on the supported decision-making process. Join in to learn how you can use Supported Decision Making, too!	CLICK HERE to visit the Web Page for this Session
	By Us For Us: The Power of Peer Support Peer-to-Peer Supports is a new service that’s being rolled out by the Division of Developmental Disabilities. In this panel presentation, you’ll hear what members of the Rhode Island Cross Disability Coalition have been doing to help develop and promote Peer Supports. Join coalition members as they discuss how their lived experiences can help peers. Some of the things they’ll talk about include information about different DD services, how technology can support day-to-day life, employment, making friends, and more.	CLICK HERE to visit the Web Page for this Session

Click Here to Download the Descriptions for This Year's Workshop Presentations in PDF Format

Dinner Dance Party, Friday, May 8th from 6:30 to 10:00pm

Visit us again soon to view pictures from the Conference Dinner Dance!

LEFT CLICK or TAP on this words to go the Advocates in Action Home Page at www.advocatesinaction.org

This Page was updated on:
May 19, 2026