Employers must offer accessible workplaces and processes in order for all workers to fulfill their jobs, yet accessibility is too often left out of DEI conversations. It’s time to stop accepting the bare minimum in ADA compliance and create a sustainable and accessible workspace for good. In partnership with Disability Advocates of Kent County and Special Olympics Michigan, WMPRSA is eager to host a night of discussion and action to help communicators and employees create equitable environments.
Learn how to create accessible communication strategies, build inclusive teams, make events and spaces accessible for all communities from our speaker line up.
SPEAKERS
Jon Cauchi (he/his)
Inclusion Consultant and Trainer, Disability Advocates of Kent County
Jon Cauchi is the inclusion consultant and trainer at Disability Advocates of Kent County. With a decade of experience in disability services and a personal journey that ignited unwavering advocacy after losing most of his sight at age 12, Jon brings passion, knowledge, and dedication to all his work. Beyond his professional role, Jon is a devoted father, Youth Camp Director for the Michigan Blind Athletic Association, and an active member of the Wyoming City's Community Development Committee. He also embraces humor as an amateur stand-up comedian, showcasing his unique ability to connect with others. Jon's overarching goal is to create a true sense of belonging for all individuals. Through his expertise and personal experiences, he strives to make a positive impact in the lives of those he encounters.
Bethany James (she/hers)
Owner & American Sign Language Interpreter, Regional Interpreting Network
Bethany James is a small business owner and one of the most highly certified sign language interpreters in Michigan. A native signer, James was featured heavily during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2022 election cycle to provide access crucial information to a large population of Michiganders, who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Over the past two decades she has provided access in a variety of settings in Michigan and beyond, from court rooms, to a hospital room, to a county jail all the way to the Michigan State Capitol. In her free time you can find James either golfing, playing with her dog, tending to her plants or volunteering in her community.
Megan Howe, CPA (she/hers)
Manager, Hungerford Nichols
Megan Howe is a part-time CPA with Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors. While being an accountant gives Megan joy, she loves being a mom to her two kids (3 year old son and 6 month old daughter), and wife to her husband of 6 years. Megan enjoys spending quality time with her family, taking in local adventures and making new memories. In her free time, she likes taking leisurely walks, cooking new recipes, watching sports, and having coffee or ice cream with friends. While work and home engagements keeps her very busy, Megan has a passion for giving back to her community and serves as board treasurer of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, one of our community partner agencies here at SOMI. Because of Megan’s life experiences, she has a heart for advocating and educating others both within and outside of the workplace.
Lucia Rios (she/hers)
Community Engagement & Columnist, The Lakeshore WM and Workforce Navigators Program Associate for People with Disabilities
Lucia Rios' life in college and over a 20-year working career has included giving a voice to and empowering those with disabilities. During 15 years on staff at Disability Network Lakeshore, she helped businesses identify ways to become accessible and instructed young adults as they transitioned from school to career. As a journalist, Lucia's writing focuses on disability issues, including living with her lifelong disability. Lucia is co-editor for the Disability Inclusion Series, a multi-year series in The Lakeshore WM, Rapid Growth, and Second Wave Southwest Michigan. The three West Michigan publications are part of Issue Media Group. The series explores the state of West Michigan's growing disability community. She mentors the next generation of advocates and serves on several local boards. She also co-founded Women of Color Give, a philanthropic group empowering and investing in projects for and by individuals of color along the West Michigan Lakeshore. Lucia removes barriers and creates access through her presence, voice, and activism, which includes her current work at Salesforce in the Office of Accessibility.
Rev. Katherine Lee Baker (xe+/hers)
Manager for Diversity and Inclusion, Meijer
Rev. Katherine Lee Baker currently serves as the Manager for Diversity and Inclusion at Meijer. Having served in various corporate, clinical, campus, and community-based settings (on the East Coast and in the Midwest), she is passionate about community engagement, intersectionality, and all things cultivating emotional agility and spiritual resiliency. She is a trustee for the Foundation at Mary Free Bed, a cabinet member for the Women's Resource Center Propel Campaign, a board member for Sister Cities International, and a member of the Master Planning Steering Committee for the City of Grand Rapids. Find her work at revkatherineleebaker.com.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Gain a better understanding of the implications of disabilities and opportunities in the workplace
Learn how to communicate effectively about disabilities and accessibility
Leave with actionable tips and resources to use in your communication strategy and in your workplace
ABOUT THE VENUE:
Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center is the world’s largest Special Olympics training and sports center to date. All are welcome and accepted in this space regardless of ability or disability.
The facility also hosts partnering organizations that support those with physical and intellectual disabilities as well as mental health challenges, creating a one-stop location for organizations serving people living with disabilities. Other non-profit partner tenants include Disability Advocates of Kent County, Autism Support of Kent County, Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, Mental Health Foundation, MOKA, Brody’s Be Cafe, Far Out Volleyball, Thresholds, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.
Optional tours of the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center will be available at 5 pm. Please indicate your interest when registering. Space is limited.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
5:00 p.m. - Optional Tour of Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center and networking. Hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
6:00 p.m. - Program begins (speaker presentations, panelist discussion, followed by Q&A)
7:30 p.m. - Program Adjourns
SPONSORS:
We appreciate the support of our sponsors who help to make this event possible. Proceeds from this event will benefit the WMPRSA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund Grant, established to recognize the importance of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the communications community within the West Michigan PRSA region. The fund is intended to support the next generation of diverse communications professionals following the lead of the PRSA Foundation whose mission is to support rising talent and raise diversity. Explore our sponsorship opportunities.
EVENT PARTNERS
EVENT SPONSORS
Platinum
REGISTRATION
WMPRSA Members - $35
Non-WMPRSA members - $45
Student rate - $20
Groups from the same company - 5 tickets for $180
Please RSVP by October 20.
It is our desire to make this event inclusive and accessible so that all participants, including individuals with disabilities, can engage fully. To be respectful of those with allergies and environmental sensitivities, we ask that you please refrain from wearing strong fragrances. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact (Delaney MacKenzie, at delaney@blacktruckmedia.com).