Alaska Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education

08/10/2026

EMPLOYMENT FIRST CONFERENCE | The Employment First Conference is happening next week!

This two day event connects information and resources for supporting workforce development in Alaska. Topics provided include accommodations and accessibility in the workplace, healthcare workforce development programs, youth transitions to employment, labor force data, working with disability benefits information, and more! Also featured will be the Statewide Vocational Rehabilitation Committee's Business Awards, and information featuring the Rural Health Transformation Program.
Information is intended for all sectors and sizes of employers, employment support providers and healthcare workforce, and individuals with disabilities ready to join the workforce.
GET YOUR TICKETS https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinks-2.govdelivery.com%2FCL0%2Fhttps%3A%252F%252Fwww.eventbrite.com%252Fe%252F2026-employment-first-conference-tickets-1998386713455%253Faff%3Doddtdtcreator%2F1%2F010101a0c4b33718-1079dac3-4a6d-47e2-b5bc-647948ab7b99-000000%2FDxguZodtGRxpetpHIVufK8gReQ4sKFfl9Gcn3gmuFys%3D452&data=05%7C02%7Csamantha.vetter%40alaska.gov%7C54d2a63548b648ce3a3d08df17f9911c%7C20030bf67ad942f7927359ea83fcfa38%7C0%7C0%7C639256032803484370%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0Pafn0FtCBqTIr8NGjZicARGU3bPYmqZo8N%2FwIwG4co%3D&reserved=0
In order to ensure this event is accessible to everyone, scholarship tickets for those requiring a reduced rate. Students and youth are free to attend. Click the link above to view additional ticket options.

Join us!

07/10/2026

Sharing information from Disability Law Center of Alaska on upcoming Voting Rights and Access trainings ...

Voting Rights and Access for Individuals with Disabilities Virtual Training Series Announcement!

Do you want to learn more about voting rights and access as a person with a disability? Are you an advocate, caregiver or ally who wants to know more about voting rights for people with disabilities? The Disability Law Center of Alaska is hosting a Voting Rights and Access Virtual Training series weekly during the month of October on the following topics:

-Your Voting Rights (Oct. 7)
-Voting With a Guardian (Oct. 14)
-Requesting a Voting Accommodation (Oct. 21)
-What to do if your rights are violated (Oct. 28)

Trainings are from 4:00-5:00 PM on Zoom. You can access the Zoom meeting by using the link below:

https://zoom.us/j/95946918353?pwd=PbIWhzlxgwUKBEzdAlv1SJGUXM3Rlj.1

05/10/2026

EMPLOYMENT FIRST CONFERENCE SPEAKER FEATURE | Jenn Bozard, MA, CESP, Chief Programs Officer, Nadon Family Home.

Jenn Bozard came to disability employment services by way of manufacturing. After earning a master's in Educational Psychology, she spent seven years at a South Carolina packaging plant learning how work actually moves. A move to Alaska brought both halves together. As Chief Programs Officer at Nadon Family Home, she builds inclusive workforces inside real businesses — golf courses, restaurants, contract work — with real margins and consequences. She is the author of Seeing Through the Employer Lens, which argues the biggest barrier to employment is rarely ability — it's uncertainty, and most of it sits on the employer's side.

Register for the Employment First Conference: https://employmentfirstalaska.com/

01/10/2026

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH | During October we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!

In NDEAM we urge Alaskans to recognize and share the importance of individuals with disabilities in the workforce.

This yearly event began in 1945 as a weeklong national observance of the contributions of people with physical disabilities. In 1988, Congress designated the commemoration as NDEAM, which then evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other nonobvious disabilities. In 2001, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) was created and entrusted to administer NDEAM, including the selection and promotion of its annual theme.

This year’s NDEAM theme will be "Celebrating Value and Talent" so see the videos and media from ODEP here: https://beta.dol.gov/programs-initiatives/ndeam

29/09/2026

PUBLIC MEETING & TESTIMONY OPPORTUNITY | The Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education will be holding their Fall 2026 meeting on October 5-6, 2026, in Anchorage

The public is invited to attend this meeting, which will be hosted both virtually and in-person at the Atwood Building in the first-floor conference room located at 550 W. 7th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501.

The Council is interested in hearing testimony about IEP services provided in virtual settings (over Zoom, Teams, etc.) in Alaska. Other topics and testimonies are accepted, and testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per testimonial. You can testify in person or virtually.

If you are interested in attending virtually, you may join via Zoom or by calling toll-free. The Zoom links, call-in numbers, and more information about testifying are available here: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=224862

For questions or for more information, please contact the office of the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education at 907-269-8990, toll free at 1-888-269-8990, or email [email protected].

29/09/2026

EMPLOYMENT FIRST CONFERENCE SPEAKER FEATURE | Joy Burress, Project SEARCH Program Manager, Cincinnati's Children's Hospital

Project SEARCH is a groundbreaking program that challenges traditional expectations and empowers young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve competitive employment.

Joy Burress believes that the best results come from strong relationships, clear communication, and a willingness to learn from others. As a Project SEARCH consultant, Joy loves connecting people, improving processes, and helping teams achieve goals. Teaching teams to follow Project SEARCH model fidelity will make a difference in the lives of those they serve.

Learn more about the Alaskan Project SEARCH: https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/project-search/

Register for the Employment First Conference: https://employmentfirstalaska.com/

26/09/2026

EMPLOYMENT FIRST CONFERENCE | This two-day conference connects information and resources for supporting workforce development in Alaska. Topics provided include accommodations and accessibility in the workplace, healthcare workforce development programs, youth transitions to employment, labor force data, working with disability benefits information, and more! Also featured will be the Statewide Vocational Rehabilitation Committee's Business Awards and information featuring the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Information is intended for all sectors and sizes of employers, employment support providers and healthcare workforce, and individuals with disabilities ready to join the workforce.

Register today: https://employmentfirstalaska.com/

11/09/2026

‘EMPLOYMENT FIRST’ CONFERENCE | Do you want to learn how people with disabilities positively impact the Alaskan workforce?

Are you a business looking to widen your talent pool?

Come to the 2026 Employment First Conference, Monday and Tuesday, October 12-13, at Anchorage’s Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center.

This two-day conference is for all sectors and sizes of employers, employment support providers, and individuals with disabilities ready to join the workforce.

Topics include:
• Accommodations and accessibility in the workplace
• Health care workforce development programs
• Youth transitions to employment
• Labor force data
• Working with disability benefits information
• And more!

Also featured will be the Statewide Vocational Rehabilitation Committee's Business Awards, and a keynote featuring the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Attend to gain information and connection, meet providers and resource groups, and learn how workers with disabilities and employers can strike gold in Alaska's untapped workforce.

Don’t miss out! Register for the 2026 Employment First Conference today:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-employment-first-conference-tickets-1998386713455?aff=oddtdtcreatorhttps://employmentfirstalaska.com/

See the full event poster, with QR code: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1503656675136406&set=gm.1831086818051457

EMPLOYMENT FIRST CONFERENCE  EVENT DATE Monday, October 12 – Tuesday, October 13, 2026  EVENT LOCATION Dena’ina Civic and Convention CenterAnchorage, Alaska REGISTER NOW ABOUT THE CONFERENCE This two-day conference highlights diversity, growth, and integrated, competitive employment opport...

24/08/2026

SAVE THE DATE FOR TRAINING | Register now for "Advocacy: We Can Make a Difference," a Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education (GCDSE) online training event scheduled for September 1-2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This advocacy training event, which will be held online via Zoom, will include information for:

• Self advocates
• Family members/guardians
• Professional staff serving people with disabilities

Hosted by GCDSE.

For more information, contact GCDSE staff Lanny Mommsen: [email protected]

Register here: https://gcdse2021.ticketbud.com/virtual-advocacy

20/08/2026

COMMUNITY EDUCATION SERIES | Please see this update about Stone Soup Group's latest Transition Series, starting Sept. 30: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EUQz8qpsd/

Pathway to the Future: Choose Your Own Adventure

Yes it's true - we are ready to kick off the 2026/2027 Transition Series! We have so many great topics for those who are transitioning into adulthood, their family and supporters. Check out our lineup:

September 30: Transition 101: Pick Your Own Pathway with Anna Zierfuss, SSG Parent Navigator & MAP Coordinator

October 12 & 13 – Employment Conference Co-facilitated by Statewide Independent Living Council of Alaska & SAIL

November 18 - Emergency Toolkit & Management with the Alaska Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education & Statewide Independent Living Council of Alaska

December - No Session

January 27 - Financial Literacy & ABLE Accounts
Northrim Bank, Member FDIC & Alaska Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education

February 24: IEPs & Transition Planning with Anna Zierfuss, SSG Parent Navigator & MAP Coordinator

March - No Session

April 24 - In-person (ASD) Advocacy: Power of the Pack - More information coming soon!
Register at the link below:
https://www.stonesoupgroup.org/series/transition-series-pathway-to-the-future/