December 8, 2021; 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern
We are all adapting to the virtual environment. So much of our work is done virtually now that we hardly have a choice. But, we must do everything possible to ensure that our virtual spaces are as accessible as possible. Join us in December for a panel discussion of promising practices from the IL-NET team including APRIL, ILRU, and NCIL to make your virtual events accessible and engaging. We will share specific tips, features, and accommodations, along with a broader discussion of ideas and resources to consider for your meetings and events.
Registration Fee: This event is free-of-charge.
Target Audience: Executive directors, program managers, and staff members of Centers for Independent Living
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this webinar, participants will have knowledge and resources that will enable them to:
- Describe effective strategies for ensuring all aspects of virtual events are fully accessible including registration, paywall, and event communications.
- Identify accessibility features offered by the Zoom platform
- Describe ways to improve virtual engagement and combat virtual burnout.
Meet Your Presenters
Brooke Curtis is the Associate Director for Training and Publications for the IL-NET Training and Technical Assistance Center at Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU). Brooke is responsible for managing training and publication activities for the IL-NET and works on other projects related to independent living. She has co-authored numerous publications for the independent living field; co-presented for ILRU’s Disability, Diversity, and Intersectionality project; and facilitated several ILRU survey projects studying CIL management and operations, notably CIL responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and transition from institutions during the pandemic. Prior to working with ILRU, Brooke has worked with nonprofits and has experience with implementing and growing innovative programs. Brooke received her B.A. in Biology from DePauw University and her Master’s at the School of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
Tim Fuchs joined the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) in 2003. Since 2007, Tim has been NCIL’s Operations Director. Tim oversees coordination of NCIL’s Annual Conference, which has been held virtually the past two years, along with virtual conferences and webinars for the IL-NET T&TA Center in his role as the IL-NET Training Logistics Coordinator, and various other webinars and virtual events hosted by NCIL.
Sierra Royster works at the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living as the Youth Programs Coordinator and is the IL-NET Youth Coordinator. She is able to work nationally to create bridges for gaps in the disability community and develop training tools and programs that will assist youth and young adults with disabilities to be included not only in their local community, but to the disability community at large. In this she assists with youth committees that work on conference planning and advocacy. Previously to this position she worked in a Center for Independent Living facilitating school and community-based programs to assist the transition process from youth to young adults. She has coordinated local, state, and national level events and trainings for people with disabilities to continue to grow the next generation of Independent Living.
Mary Willard has been the Director of Training and Technical Assistance for APRIL (Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living) since 2014 and is the IL-NET Peer Mentor Coordinator. In her role, she helps support CILs and SILCs to serve people with disabilities to the best of their abilities through peer support opportunities, training opportunities, and through her partnerships on projects with RTC:Rural University of Montana and other allied organizations. Her favorite part of her job is helping to identify needs the in the community and offering platforms and opportunities to elevate all your voices in the field to help find solutions. With Community, we are Stronger! Previously she worked at Summit Independent Living Center as the Peer Coordinator, where she worked on curriculums for youth with disabilities and creating programming for youth, as well as running the peer support program training, supervising and creating opportunities for peer supporters. She was an APRIL youth Peer Mentor for seven years, assisting several CILS across the country to start, trouble shoot, or grow their youth programs, as well as helping to plan and execute the APRIL youth conference as a volunteer. Mary received her Master’s in Social Work in 2014, during which time she also worked at the Rural Institute on Disability and Research as a Student Research Associate. She spent four years on the executive committee of the Montana SILC, two of which were spent as the chair.
Presented by the IL-NET: The IL-NET National Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) Center for Independent Living is operated by ILRU (Independent Living Research Utilization). The IL-NET T&TA Center provides training and technical assistance to centers for independent living and statewide independent living councils. The IL-NET is supported by grant numbers 90ILTA0002 and 90ISTA0002 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
