Intercultural
Disabilities
Disabilities:
Subject of the Movie Stronger, Boston Marathon Bombing Hero & Best-Selling Author
A survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing and a national hero, Jeff Bauman shares his story in a presentation that will inspire. He is the subject of the movie Stronger starring Jake Gyllenhaal, based on his best-selling book of the same name.
Animal Scientist & Autism Self-Advocate
The most accomplished adult with autism in the world, Grandin inspired the HBO film Temple Grandin (starring Claire Danes). Grandin shares the challenges and successes of her fascinating life.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist, Author
The author of Life, Animated (inspiration for the Academy Award nominated film of the same name) shares his journey of connecting with his son, who has autism, through Disney movies.
Disability Advocate, Educator & Best-Selling Author, Sitting Pretty
Rebekah Taussig will challenge everything you think you know about disability as she invites us into her experience of living in a body that looks and moves differently than most.
Plays “Nessarose” in Universal’s Wicked Duology, PRWeek’s Communicator of the Year & Inspirational Changemaker
Marissa Bode is a groundbreaking actor and disability advocate who made her feature-film debut as principal character Nessarose in Universal’s Wicked duology, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor
Abbott’s life changed forever when she was struck by bomb shrapnel and lost her left leg. She captivates audiences with her inspirational story of pain, anger, optimism and resilience.
Engineer & Co-Founder of Limbitless Solutions
When Dr. Albert Manero was growing up, his parents taught him the importance of making the world a better place. That inspiration has taken form in Limbitless Solutions, a nonprofit devoted to bringing 3-D printed bionic arms and hands to children at no cost to their families.
Champion Snowboarder & Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor
Pearce went from being a gold medal hopeful to suffering a brain injury that nearly took his life. Known for his contagious optimism, he delivers a powerful message of overcoming adversity.
Author & Journalist
After ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff was wounded in Iraq, he and his wife, speaker Lee Woodruff, penned the best-selling In an Instant to help others cope with crisis.
Chairman, Special Olympics
Shriver is a social leader, educator, author, film producer and entrepreneur. As the Chairman of Special Olympics, he serves over 4.9 million athletes with intellectual disabilities from 172 countries around the world.
Olympic/Paralympic Games Medalist
Patrick “Blake” Leeper is an eight-time Paralympic Track and Field international medalist, world record holder and three-time American record holder.
Actor & Parkinson's Disease Advocate
Michael J. Fox is an award-winning actor, best known for his roles in Family Ties and the Back to the Future trilogy. Today, he dedicates his energy toward The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Author, Activist & Force Behind Erin's Law
As a victim of sexual abuse, Merryn now travels around the country giving a voice to the voiceless and shares he inspiring story, pushing for Erin's Law to pass in every state.
Decorated Army Commander & Star in Battleship
Serving in the US Army for 26 years, Colonel Gregory Gadson’s greatest challenge came when an attack cost him both legs and use of his arm. Yet, he remained on active duty and inspires many with his perseverance.
Founders of I AM ALS, Health Care Activists & Movement-Builders
In 2017, Brian was given a terminal diagnosis, ALS. Having met on the Obama campaign in 2008 and worked in the White House, they responded by building the most powerful patient and caregiver-led movement since the fight against HIV.
Olympic Gold Medal Winning Power Couple
Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall are an Olympic power couple with a remarkable love story. Their journey of determination, love, and excellence has cemented them as one of the most iconic couples in sports today.
Real-Life Deaf Football Coach
Keith Adams is a head coach football at California School for the Deaf in Riverside, but he also has been a long time coach for over 30 years in various sports in hearing and deaf sports.
First Legally Deaf Player in NBA History
Hearing impaired since birth, former NBA player Lance Allred is a best-selling author and thought leader who compels those around him to seek ways to overcome setbacks and pursue dreams.
Co-Star of TLC’s Little Couple, Neonatologist & Cancer Survivor
Featured on TLC’s The Little Couple, which follows her personal and professional life, Dr. Jennifer Arnold's presentations range from healthcare simulation education to motivational talks on overcoming obstacles.
Author, Entrepreneur & Paralympian
Although physically challenged, Lloyd Bachrach has never let anything keep him from achieving his dreams. He turned his challenge into a strength by excelling in a variety of sports and taking his confidence to others seeking a positive message.
Former Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rocky Bleier overcame severe combat wounds to play for the Steelers. His story is a tale of courage on both the football fields of America and the battlefields of Vietnam.
Motivator & Singer-Songwriter
Made famous by The Glee Project, Mario Arnauz Bonds overcame a childhood marked by blindness, abuse, and abandonment to become a sought-after motivational speaker and singer-songwriter.
Inventors of Extreme Artificial Limbs
Together, Casey Pieretti (a stuntman, actor and athlete) and Bill Spracher (an engineer) host Bionic Builders, a Discovery special. They are co-owners of Amp'dGear Performance Amputee Sporting Gear
Award-Winning Authors, Prolific Content Creators, Disability & Relationship Experts
Shane and Hannah Burcaw are prolific relationship vloggers and authors on a mission to improve the way society understands disability. On their YouTube channel, Squirmy and Grubs, which has gained 900,000+ subscribers and worldwide media attention.
Actress on Hit TV Show Empire
As a bi-racial, multicultural daughter of deaf parents raised in the Cayman Islands, Byers lends insights into challenging social, racial and cultural experiences, reminding us to have compassion and show grace for each other because we are enough.
Founder of Kanchi & The Ability Awards
A visually impaired social entrepreneur working to enhance the relationship between disability and society, Caroline Casey has received several awards for her work worldwide.
Leading Expert on Human/Machine Integration
After having a computer implanted in his head to allow him to recover his hearing, speaker Michael Chorost concluded that machines enhance rather than diminish our humanity.
Shark Attack Survivor & Shark Week Star
An Australian Navy diver who lost two limbs in a brutal shark attack that changed his life, de Gelder now inspires others to overcome obstacles and champions shark conservation.
Sergeant in Shootout with Boston Marathon Bomber
After a shootout with the Boston Marathon bombers which ended in his hospitalization, Dic Donohue tells his story of survival, resilience and adaptability to audiences from law enforcement officers to students.
Transgender Public Scholar & Intellectual Activist
Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza is passionate about the politics of radical difference and the ways that our collective differences might shed light on how we become a better body together. He is also a teacher at heart and loves being with people and teaching the community.
Deaf LGBTQ+ Writer, Producer & Actor
Deaf since birth, Josh Feldman is a writer, producer, and actor living and working in Los Angeles, California who is passionate about telling stories that feature intersectional, diverse, LGBTQ+ characters.
The 1st Deafblind Graduate of Harvard Law School
Named a White House Champion of Change by President Obama, Girma is a consultant and advocate for equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor & Mental Health Advocate
Rebekah Gregory’s life was forever changed due to the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15th, 2013. This act of terrorism may have claimed her leg, but it could not claim her spirit.
Motorist, Entrepreneur & World's Only Quadriplegic Rescue Scuba Diver
Torsten is what some would call multi-hyphenate. His abbreviated resume reads: advertising and marketing executive, competitive race car driver, world's only quadriplegic rescue scuba diver, multiple marathoner (12 in 1 year), charity founder, ex-comedian, husband, dog dad, and a human that has never accepted the realities of being a C6 quadriplegic.
First Blind Contestant & Winner of MasterChef
The season three winner of Gordon Ramsay’s competitive amateur cooking show, MasterChef, Ha is the author of Recipes from My Home Kitchen: Asian and American Comfort Food.
“Coach E" & Founder of The Miracle Project
Elaine Hall developed "The Seven Keys to Unlock Autism" and used these methods to train staff & create The Miracle Project, an arts program for children of all abilities, which was profiled in AUTISM: The Musical.
Biomechanics Pioneer
After losing his lower legs during a mountaineering accident, Hugh Herr joined MIT’s Biomechatronics group as the director to seek advancements in technologies that accelerate the merging of body and machine.
Host, Inside Mental Health Podcast, Author & Bipolar Advocate
Gabe Howard is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital and diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2003.
Co-Founder, The Miracle Project
Diane Isaacs is a film and TV producer and is the co-founder and President of Green Moon Productions where she produced And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself. She is a co-author of The Seven Keys to Unlock Autism.
Innovation & Change Navigation Strategist
Jay Kiew is an innovation strategist with more than 15 years of transformation experience. He has created more than $2B of impact for 400+ executives by designing, developing, and delivering organizational transformation.
Self-Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome
Rosie King became well-recognized after accurately diagnosed her own Asperger's Syndrome. After her popular TEDMED talk, she raises awareness about autism and is working towards becoming a professional actress.
Spinal Cord Injury-Recovering Athlete
A world-renowned athlete and adventurer, speaker Grant Korgan continues to climb and ski around the globe after having suffered a spinal cord injury and advocates for choosing positivity through adversity.
Recovering Athlete & Wellness Expert
World-record holding Antarctic Explorer, adventure athlete, author and motivator Grant Korgan takes the stage with his wife Shawna — wellness expert and life coach author — for a dynamic and life-impacting talk.
Speaker on Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Susan Levine has been in the financial services industry for most of her career. That all changed when she suffered a suicide attempt in NYC, which left her a double amputee, having lost her right arm above the elbow and her left leg above the knee.
Adventurer / Author / Motivational Speaker
In A Test of Will, Warren Macdonald recalls a climbing accident that resulted in the loss of his legs. Overcoming great odds, he became the first double above-knee amputee to reach the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.
Global Ambassador for Technology & Inclusion, Disability Rights Activist
Srin is an entrepreneur who sold the company he co-founded, Accomable, to Airbnb. Srin has been a wheelchair user since childhood and co-founded Accomable to make it easier for people with disabilities to find accessible travel accommodation.
Former Treasurer of the United States
Rosario Marin firmly believes that "of him to whom much is given, much is expected." She served as the highest-ranking Latina in the Bush Administration and the first U.S. Treasurer born outside of the country.
Global Neuroinclusion and Mental Health Expert & Consultant
Pasha brings over 30 years of experience as a mental health expert to her work as a neuroinclusion speaker, consultant, and coach.
Entrepreneur & Award-Winning Extreme Athlete
Kyle Maynard is an entrepreneur, best selling author, award-winning extreme athlete & the 1st man to bearcrawl to the top of the highest mountain in Africa and the summit of Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Western and Southern Hemispheres.
Paralympic World Medalist, Model & Entrepreneur
Trenten Merrill wants to use his platform as a Paralympic world medalist, an athlete, speaker, and model to inspire others to pursue their dreams.
Retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant & Advocate for Veterans and Amputees
Retired United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne is a recalibrated warrior, motivational speaker, actor, author and an advocate for veterans and amputees.
Grammy-Winning Country Legend
Milsap tells his story in a rich program, I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World, interspersing songs with the defining moments of his life. By sharing this, Milsap inspires others to follow their heart.
Disability Rights Advocate, Former United States Special Advisor on International Disability Rights
Sara Minkara is a world-renowned, in-demand speaker and visionary who masterfully shatters conventional wisdom about leadership, disability, and human potential.
Athlete, Runway Model, Actress & Double Amputee
A bilateral below-the-knee amputee, Mullins is a champion track star, writer, actress and highly successful runway model. Advisory Board Member and Journalist on the Oxygen Network, she is an inspiring speaker.
Journalist & Author
Judith Newman is the author of the bestseller To Siri With Love, a collection of illuminating stories about life with a fourteen-year-old boy with autism.
Musician & Reality TV Star
Born blind in his left eye due to congenital glaucoma, standout musician Blessing Offor of The Voice emigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria. With a love of people and energy, Offor is making his dreams come true.
Extreme Adventurer, Award-Winning Author & International Keynote Speaker
Neal Petersen has completed two amazing journeys in his life: a single-handed yacht race around the world, 27,000 miles, 9 months at sea, alone, and in the smallest, least-funded yacht, he designed and built himself.
Emmy Award-Winning Co-Anchor of ABC's Nightline & Best-Selling Author
Byron Pitts is an award-winning journalist who has covered some of the most horrific and dangerous news stories in the world, from Sept. 11 to Hurricane Katrina to the Boston Marathon to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Award-Winning Journalist & Author of The Family Roe
For more than twenty years, Joshua Prager, a former senior writer for The Wall Street Journal, has written about historical secrets. His work has shed new light on our cultural touchstones.
Emmy Award-Winning Author, Musician & Workforce Expert
Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award-winning, motivational keynote speaker, author, musician, and workforce expert. He’s also fun, dynamic, entertaining – and the no-stress speaker clients love to work with.
Snowboarder & Founder of Adaptive Action Sports
After going through a life-altering experience, Amy Purdy attained goals that even those who have both legs struggle to achieve. Today, she is one of the top ranked adaptive snowboarders in the world.
Radio Talk-Show Host
Heralded as a "class act of the talk radio world" broadcast journalist, Rehm is a respected radio talk-show host. In her book, Finding My Voice, she talks about her life and struggle with a neurological condition.
Star of Little People, Big World
The star of TLC's Little People, Big World, Matt Roloff inspires audiences around the country through his determination to succeed in life despite being born with a rare form of physically debilitating dwarfism.
Founder & Artistic Director of National Disability Theatre
Mickey Rowe is on the autism spectrum. He was the epicenter of significant publicity when he became the first autistic actor to play Christopher Boone, the lead role in the Tony Award-winning play “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
Founder of Comfort Cases
Rob Scheer founded Comfort Cases, an all-volunteer charitable organization that provides overnight bags, pajamas, hygiene items, and activities to give comfort to children and teens transitioning into foster care.
Paralympic Medalist
Once told he may never walk again, speaker Mike Schlappi is now a two-time world champion in wheelchair basketball. He inspires people from all walks of life.
Trend & Pop Culture Journalist
Trend & pop culture journalist and four-time author Alix Strauss is a media savvy social satirist. A frequent contributor to the New York Times Metro, Styles, Real Estate and Special Section, she also created and writes the It’s No Secret column.
Gold Medalist Swimmer & Disabilities Advocate
Amy Van Dyken is an Olympic champion swimmer with six gold medals to her name. She speaks about her experiences as a world class athlete and how she developed the "will to win" through perseverance.
Leading Mental Health Speaker & Teamwork Facilitator
Mike Veny loves working with leaders who are tired of bringing the same old textbook presentations on mental health or Diversity & Inclusion to their events.
Founder & CEO, Life Without Limbs
Without any medical explanation or warning, Nick Vujicic was born with neither arms nor legs. He is the founder & CEO of the nonprofit organization Life Without Limbs.
Talk Show Host & MS Activist
An Emmy-winning executive producer and talk show host, speaker Montel Williams founded the Montel Williams MS Foundation after being diagnosed with it in 1999.
Actor, Comedian, Seinfeld & Activist for the Disability Rights Movement
Danny Woodburn is perhaps best known for Mickey Abbott, Kramer’s volatile friend on NBC’s Emmy-winning, history-making show, Seinfeld. Danny raises awareness of the need for inclusion and understanding of people with disability.
Three-Time Paralympic World Medalist
At only 21 years of age, Hunter Woodhall is redefining what it means to be an athlete, entrepreneur, and trailblazer, and setting a new tone for the next generation of dreamers.
Social Entrepreneur & Co-Founder of 321 Coffee
Lindsay Wrege is the co-founder and CEO of 321 Coffee, a coffee shop and roaster in Raleigh, NC that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.