October 23, 2025, at Florida International University (Main Campus)
Registration Opens
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Join us for coffee and networking at the FIU SACS building
📍 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33174
Welcome Message
Irisaida Méndez
Executive Director
Univision Foundation
Dewayne Johnson, II
Director of Economic & Social Impact American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
Agatha Caraballo, PhD
Founding Director
Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic
Mission Moment: From Camp to Catalyst
9:24 a.m. - 9:35 a.m.
A New Paradigm in STEM Opportunities
SPEAKERS
Johana Vera
Participant
Xavier Luna Valentín
Participant
Carmen Enid Valentín
Volunteer mother
Carmen Ramos
Volunteer mother
Remarks
9:29 a.m. - 9:36 a.m.
SPEAKERS
Liz Candelario
Executive Director
Puerto Rico Developmental Disabilities Council
Case Study: Internships with NASA Scientists for Neurodivergent Youth
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Five Years of Learning
Learn practical strategies to design inclusive internship experiences for neurodivergent youth.
Discover how to:
– Use visual schedules with images, videos, and text to clarify information.
– Provide reminders and clear expectations for tasks and communication.
– Break down projects into manageable steps with set milestones.
– Tailor projects to interns’ interests while building skills and supportive relationships.
SPEAKER
Raquell Holmes Ph.D.
Associate Director
EdEon STEM Learning
Sonoma State University
Firetalk: Playful Models of Early Science Education
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Firetalk
SPEAKERS
Joy L. Kennedy, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
La Fuerza STEM
Analisa Duran, Ph.D.
Knight Sr. Director of Education
Frost Science Museum
Julia Winter
Pioneered accessible STEM educationCEO and FounderAlchemie
Keynote Message
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
SPEAKER
Dr. Wanda Diaz Merced
Astrophysicist
Director of the Global Campaign Science in Braille for the Royal Academy of Sciences International Trust
Multisensoriality as a Human Right
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
SPEAKERS
Victor M. Rivera, Esq.
Member of Science in Braille
Community Law Attorney
Dr. Abebe Kebede
Member of Science in Braille
Physics Professor
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
MODERATOR
Irisaida Méndez
Executive Director
Univision Foundation
The Human Center Behind the Technology
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
SPEAKERS
Massimo Miliano
CVO
Archangel Education & Technology
Author Spotlight
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
2059 The Future of Education and AI
SPEAKER
Micah Shippee Ph.D.
Director of Education Solutions
Samsung
Panel: Beyond Compliance: Reimagining Accessibility Through Tech Policy
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
SPEAKER
Michael R. Muesch
Seasoned Software Engineer
META
Darren Touch
Public Policy Manager, Wearables, US External Affairs
META
Dewayne Johnson, II
Director of Economic & Social Impact American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
MODERATOR
Micah Shippee Ph.D.
Director of Education Solutions
Samsung
Firetalk: Keeping up with change
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Policy Tech and Human Rights
SPEAKER
Cynthia Deitle
Public Policy Director
External Affairs Team
Meta
MODERATOR
Irisaida Méndez
Executive Director
Univision Foundation
Speaker: On Campus and Outside the Box
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Celebrating Unique Abilities in Technical Colleges through Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs
All participants will recognize the transformative value of the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Act, and will learn about the mission of the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs (FPCTP), will be able to list at least three technical colleges in Miami Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) that are FPCTPs, will be able to distinguish between a developmental and intellectual disability and will list one example of a CTSO.
SPEAKER
Vivian Vieta, Ed. D.
Robert Morgan Educational Center & Technical College
Project TOPS, Program Director
Panel: The Transition Puzzle
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Parents, Resources & Resilience
SPEAKERS
Dr. Carla Luevano Braga
Psychologist, Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Adolescent
Vanessa Vazquez
Mother and Advocate
Martha Betancourt Wong
Mother and Higher Education Administrator within the Division of Student Affairs
FIU
MODERATOR
Dr. Maissa Khatib
Researcher, Precision Health Research InitiativesArizona State University, College of Health Solutions
Keynote: The Power of Risk
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
SPEAKER
Maria Town
President and CEOAAPD
Small Business Funding and Inclusive Environments
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Conversation
SPEAKER
Aarti Sagal
Founder and CEO Synergies Work & Synergies Seed Fund
Ruby Taylor
Founder & CEO – Financial Joy SchoolCo-Founder & CEO – Grean Wealth Inc
MODERATOR
Mel Ochoa
Chief Operating Officer and a General Partner
Landmark Ventures
Game Changers: Beyond Disclosure
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Building Inclusive Career Pathways Across Abilities
The presentation will cover topics related to blind spots and how to welcome multiple lenses into the conversation (need-to-know voices), as well as creating inclusive plans that include PPD. Additionally, it will emphasize that the individual is the authority of their own experience, highlighting that ‘one size does not fit all.
SPEAKER
Crystal Taylor
Director of Student Services
Year Up United
Panel: Fostering an Inclusive Workplace
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
During this conversation, panelists will identify at least three evidence-based practices that would result in success for employees with ASD, what are those four main components that should be looked at while engineering an autism inclusive workforce, and will compare and contrast two distinct success narratives, one from the corporate perspective and the other from the individual with autism, to illustrate how the evidence-based practices can be utilized to support autistic individuals.
SPEAKERS
Ana C. Martinez
Assistant Vice President of Development
Miami Dade College Foundation
Katie Cappelen
Project Manager and Business Development Manager
U Can Employ
Mia Osorno
Human Resources Manager
Andaz Miami Beach
MODERATOR
Cecilia Marcano
Vice President of Talent Management
TelevisaUnivision
Show and Tell
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Accessibility Desing on Architecture
SPEAKERS
John Stuart
Professor of Architecture and Associate Dean for Strategic Communication and Alliances
Florida International University
An introduction: Student Voices Breaking Barriers
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
SPEAKER
Amanda L. Niguidula, PhD.
Director
Disability Resource Center
Florida International University
Case Study: FIU Disabled Student Union Bureau
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Advancing Equal Opportunities
Participants will learn to understand the unique challenges faced by intersectional, multi-marginalized identities and how to highlight, empower, and establish multi-marginalized identities in political spaces. In addition, they will acquire effective strategies for advocating for policy changes and sustaining a community and will gain the tools and knowledge to support the future generation of leaders, navigate burnout, and understand the importance of self-care.
SPEAKER
Hua Hui Vogel
Co-Founder & Director
FIU Disabled Student Union Bureau
Student at Florida International University
MODERATOR
Dewayne Johnson, II
Director of Economic & Social Impact American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
Lunch and Networking
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Grab a bite and take the opportunity to network with other attendees.
Concurrent Sessions #1
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Show and Tell: Adaptive Technologies.
Brenda Lampon, MS
Senior Advocate and Engagement ManagerOlder Adults
Mental Health and DisabilitiesMiami-Dade County
FEATURING:
Concurrent Sessions #2
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Science with the Senses Interactive Workshop
Discover how to integrate science and sensory learning into your school curriculum through engaging examples such as the Cartesian Plane and the Tactile Sound Sun.
Dr. Wanda Diaz Merced
Astrophysicist
Director of the Global Campaign Science in Braille for the Royal Academy of Sciences International Trust
Allyson Bieryla
Astronomer at the Center for Astrophysics
Harvard & Smithsonian