AccessAbility Business
Summit Business 2026
Hosted By Central Missouri
AccessAbility Collaborative
at Boone Electric Cooperative - Columbia, MO
FREE EVENT
Register Here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/accessability-business-summit-2026-tickets-1981603830400
Join us at the FREE AccessAbility Business Summit 2026 to explore the powerful advantages of hiring and supporting qualified individuals with disabilities. This event brings together employers, HR professionals, accessibility advocates, and workforce leaders committed to creating more inclusive, innovative, and high‑performing workplaces.
Throughout the summit, attendees will gain practical tools, actionable insights, and hands‑on exposure to assistive technology, workplace accommodations, and real‑world strategies that strengthen disability inclusion across organizations of all sizes.
HR professional certification credit is pending through the Human Resources Association of Central Missouri (HRACMO).
Event Schedule
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
Welcome & Introduction - NaviLens
Frank Taylor, NaviLens
Kick off the summit with an introduction to NaviLens, a cutting‑edge technology transforming accessibility for blind and partially sighted individuals. Traditional signage can be challenging or impossible for many to use, making navigation in unfamiliar areas difficult. NaviLens codes eliminate this barrier—users can scan from a distance without needing to locate the code precisely. Frank Taylor will demonstrate how NaviLens helps cities, workplaces, and public spaces become smarter, more autonomous, and more inclusive.
9:10 AM – 9:40 AM
Keynote Speaker – Brian Nevins
Brian Nevins, Engineer, U.S. Department of Transportation
Brian Nevins will share federal perspectives, innovations, and initiatives supporting accessibility in transportation, mobility, and public infrastructure. This session provides big‑picture context for creating accessible environments that support competitive integrated employment.
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Disability Awareness & Workplace Etiquette
Claudia Browner, Exec. Director, Governor's Council on Disability
Claudia Browner, Executive Director, Governor's Council on Disability and Acting Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, discusses how HR leaders can actively promote inclusive workplace cultures where all employees are valued, supported, and empowered to contribute fully. This session will explore different types of disabilities, clarify HR's legal and ethical responsibilities, and review appropriate disability etiquette in the workplace.
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Networking Break
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Assistive Technology & Accommodations
Mary Ross & Sarah Diehl, Vocational Rehabilitation
Chad Rohr, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind
This interactive session shows how assistive technology (AT) can be incorporated into job seeking, placement, and retention. Our presenters with share some successes and failures of AT in the workplace, as well as provide hands-on time with various AT devices. The session will discuss small changes we can each make to expand our capacity for helping people in work and life, and an overview of AT consideration and routes to device demonstration options and successful implementation.
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Accessible Documents
Lainie Strange, MO Office of Administration, ITSD
Learn how to create documents that meet accessibility standards for all users—including those using assistive technologies. Lainie Strange will walk through key steps, tools, and best practices to ensure documents are inclusive and compliant.
12:30 PM – 12:45 PM
Networking Break
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch & Learn – Employer Panel
Enjoy lunch while listening to regional employers share their experiences, strategies, and lessons learned in building disability‑inclusive workplaces. This discussion highlights practical approaches, successes, and advice for employers of all sizes.
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Talent Showcase – Reverse Job Fair
Businesses and Employers - Come meet job seekers at our job fair that flips the tables! Job candidates will highlight and showcase their talents, skills, and abilities, which might just meet your needs!
FREE EVENT
Register Here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/accessability-business-summit-2026-tickets-1981603830400
