Ventura County to Host Government and Disability Summit

This article was originally published by Noozhawk.

Ventura County will hold a Government and Disability Summit, the first statewide event of its kind, Sept. 24-27.

The conference represents a milestone in the pursuit of more inclusive and accessible communities; bringing together stakeholders from across California to explore innovative solutions, share best practices, and foster collaboration towards a more inclusive future.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and workshops covering a range of topics, including transportation, voting accessibility, emergency preparedness, collaboration, and technology.

Through collaborative dialogues and shared experiences, attendees will work toward developing practical solutions to address access barriers and promote disability inclusion.

“This conference is a testament to the county of Ventura’s unwavering dedication to access and inclusion,” said Mike Pettit, assistant county executive officer. “By hosting this event, the county is taking bold steps towards creating a more equitable and accessible society for all.”

The summit’s featured speakers are Rebecca Cokley and Nina G.

Cokley, who will deliver the opening keynote address, serves as the program officer for the Ford Foundation’s U.S. Disability Rights program, where she has played a pivotal role in allocating $60 million to disability rights and justice organizations.

Her efforts focus on disconnecting disability and poverty, building diverse leadership pipelines, and mobilizing resources for disability rights.

A three-time presidential appointee in the Obama Administration, Cokley’s career includes key policy roles at the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and as the executive director for the National Council on Disability.

Nina G, networking reception speaker, is a comedian and advocate for disability rights. Blending humor and advocacy, she has brought audiences’ attention to the experiences of individuals with disabilities.

Nina has been featured on prominent platforms including HuffPost’s Culture Shifters, NPR’S 51%, BBC’S Ouch, and Psychology Today. She has appeared on KQED radio and various daytime talk shows and podcasts.

She was also featured in an Emmy award-winning documentary “More Than My Stutter.”

“We are truly honored to have these outstanding speakers at our first annual Government and Disability Summit,” said Dani Anderson, disability access manager for Ventura County. “Through their influential voices and experience, they have made remarkable contributions to advocacy and disability rights.”

The 2024 Government and Disability Summit aligns with Ventura County’s recent adoption of the 2023-26 County of Ventura Strategic Plan, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at enhancing accessibility across various domains, including transportation, digital services, and physical infrastructure.

The Government and Disability Summit is made possible through the support of sponsors: The Port of Hueneme, Ventura County Community Foundation, Gold Coast Transit District, RATP Dev. USA, WSP USA Inc., California State University Channel Islands, Disability Rights California, Southern California Edison, and Pacific Gas & Electric.

For registration and more information, visit www.govdisabilitysummit.org