RE:CON 2026
PRESENTATIONS

Sessions for this year’s re:con

re:con 2024 Presentations Files

STEP Innovation Stage

Gesher Apprenticeships

Pioneer’s Solar Initiative: Sustainable Growth & Environmental Responsibility

Judson Center Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic

View Agenda

Learn more about the event schedule for breakouts.

Keynote Information Coming Soon

This page will be updated as presentation proposals are approved.

View Presenter Bios

Learn more about the presenters, their background, education and experience.

Lunch Keynote Misha Safran PCC, 0.5 CRC CE hours

Reclaiming Joy, Redefining Success: Cultivating Rest and Resilience

In a world that often prioritizes hustle and external definitions of success, Misha invites attendees to pause, reflect, and reimagine what success, resilience, and joy truly mean. Drawing on her lived experience as a differently-abled professional, former educator, and nationally recognized trainer and speaker, Misha explores how redefining success allows individuals and organizations to better serve themselves, their teams, and their communities.
Through engaging storytelling, humor, and practical tools, this keynote will:
● Empower attendees to see possibilities in times of change and hardship.
● Offer strategies for resilience and emotional well-being.
● Inspire nonprofit leaders and staff to become who they want to become—individually and collectively.

Join us on 11/6 during lunch to see this session!

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Learn more about the presenters, their background, education and experience.

Agenda Available

2025 Safety Included

PRESENTED BY: Katie Kinde and Todd Culver

1 Hour (1 SW, 1 CRC)

The 2025 SAFETY INCLUDED project provides live, neurodiverse-friendly training on proactive occupational safety and health practices to employees and small employers across Michigan—primarily within CROs and organizations that support individuals with disabilities.

Trainings will be structured around the MIOSHA recommended core elements of effective safety programs:

• Management Leadership  • Worker Participation

• Hazard Identification & Assessment  • Hazard Prevention & Control

• Education & Training  • Program Evaluation & Improvement

• Communication & Coordination

The educational framework will emphasize prevention—encouraging organizations to assess potential risks before an incident occurs, rather than responding after the fact. This shift from reactive to proactive safety culture will help CROs, and all Michigan employers seeking to include workers with disabilities, reduce workplace injuries, improve compliance, and strengthen employee engagement.

SAFETY INCLUDED will apply neurodiverse-conscious design principles to all training materials and delivery methods. These include:
Clear, structured visuals and graphics to support comprehension
Minimized sensory distractions in both virtual and in-person settings
Options for verbal and non-verbal participation
Interactive components that promote engagement without overwhelming
Time-buffered schedules to allow for processing and reflection

This approach will ensure that both employees with disabilities and the staff who support them can fully participate in learning experiences tailored to their communication styles and cognitive strengths.

2026 Safety Included

PRESENTED BY: Katie Kinde and Todd Culver

1 Hour (1 SW, 1 CRC)

The 2025 SAFETY INCLUDED project provides live, neurodiverse-friendly training on proactive occupational safety and health practices to employees and small employers across Michigan—primarily within CROs and organizations that support individuals with disabilities.

Trainings will be structured around the MIOSHA recommended core elements of effective safety programs:

• Management Leadership  • Worker Participation

• Hazard Identification & Assessment  • Hazard Prevention & Control

• Education & Training  • Program Evaluation & Improvement

• Communication & Coordination

The educational framework will emphasize prevention—encouraging organizations to assess potential risks before an incident occurs, rather than responding after the fact. This shift from reactive to proactive safety culture will help CROs, and all Michigan employers seeking to include workers with disabilities, reduce workplace injuries, improve compliance, and strengthen employee engagement.

SAFETY INCLUDED will apply neurodiverse-conscious design principles to all training materials and delivery methods. These include:
Clear, structured visuals and graphics to support comprehension
Minimized sensory distractions in both virtual and in-person settings
Options for verbal and non-verbal participation
Interactive components that promote engagement without overwhelming
Time-buffered schedules to allow for processing and reflection

This approach will ensure that both employees with disabilities and the staff who support them can fully participate in learning experiences tailored to their communication styles and cognitive strengths.

Building Resilience

PRESENTED BY: Yarden Blumstein

Resilience is a set of skills that can be developed and strengthened over time. This interactive presentation explores practical strategies for building resilience in the face of adversity, stress, and change. Participants will learn how mindset, emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and purposeful action contribute to long-term well-being. Through evidence-informed concepts attendees will leave with actionable tools to navigate challenges and foster resilience in both their personal and professional lives.

MiABLE 101- Saving without Sacrifice

PRESENTED BY: Scott de Varona

Financial security shouldn’t come at the cost of essential benefits — and with MiABLE, it doesn’t have to! Join MiABLE Program Director Scott de Varona for a deeper dive into how MiABLE accounts empower people with disabilities to save money while preserving critical benefits like SSI and Medicaid. MiABLE is a vital financial resource designed for individuals with disabilities, who have historically faced barriers to saving money. Learn how MiABLE works, who qualifies and how you can help your clients take advantage of this game-changing program. With real-life success stories, discussions and a Q&A, you’ll be equipped to further advocate for financial independence within the disability community! Help those you serve achieve financial success — without sacrifice.

The Serious Business of Play

PRESENTED BY: Melissa Kaekel LPC LMHC

Many adults quietly abandon play as responsibilities increase, despite growing evidence linking play, curiosity, creativity, and leisure participation to resilience, emotional wellbeing, cognitive flexibility, and recovery. Rehabilitation professionals are uniquely positioned to help clients reconnect with joy, exploration, hobbies, social connection, and meaningful activity. This interactive presentation explores the role of play in adult mental health and rehabilitation and provides practical interventions that clinicians can immediately incorporate into practice.

Thank You to our Sponsors!

peckham

Logo - Work Skills Corporation

work skills

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Logo Gesher Human Services

re:con Awards

BOOM is a statewide award ceremony recognizing individuals with a disability who have excelled. The goal of the BOOM Awards is to provide stereotype-busting role models for people with disabilities.

logo apex awards

The apex awards recognize outstanding achievement in the following categories: Outstanding Employer, Outstanding Community Partner, Transformational Leadership, and Lifetime Achievement.