Conference Archives
9th Annual National Conference – October 2008 – AT&T, Host – San Francisco, CA
There were 85 attendees representing 67 different entities over a two-day Conference. The agenda was filled with a number of unique events, with two quality national speakers, who were Dr. Paul Longmore of San Francisco State and Judy Heumann of the City of Washington, DC. Other presentations included the primer on the issue of career employment and college graduates with disabilities, a COSD update, ADD and Aspergers Syndrome, Second Annual Dr. Robert Greenberg Award for Innovation and the Think Tank. One new segment was unveiled, two Best Practices Panels on Employee Resource Groups with AT&T having the stage as part of our Banquet and then later in the Conference, BestBuy, Ernst&Young and Microsoft discussing their organizations. The second new feature of the Conference was a Student Led Discussion Group with the theme of “Authentic Answers to Unspoken Questions.” Our Banquet featured Marleena Coulston, a very talented cabaret and pop vocalist. She is visually impaired due to her Albinism. AT&T provided much needed support, as host, to make this Conference a successful one.
8th Annual National Conference – July 30 – August 1, 2007 – Medtronic, Host – Minneapolis, MN
There were 130 attendees representing 100 different entities over a two-day Conference. The agenda was packed with great segments including two national speakers who were, Ted Childs of Ted Childs, LLC and formerly the Chief Diversity Officer of IBM and John Kemp, Executive Director of the US Business Leadership Network, as well as Principal of Powers, Pyle, Sutter & Verville. Other presentations included a primer on the issue of career employment and college graduates with disabilities, COSD Career GatewayTM, an Employer Best Practices Panel with P&G and Allstate Insurance, the Think Tank, the Intern and Supervisors Panel, a Law School and Law Profession discussion and the First Annual Dr. Robert Greenberg Award for Innovation. Our Banquet entertainment featured Melody Gardot, an incredible jazz and blues vocalist, who has recovered from a severe brain injury with an amazing talent. The Banquet was hosted by Medtronic at their corporate headquarters. Medtronic was a great host in making the Conference a successful one.
7th Annual National Conference – June 2006 – SunTrust, Host – Atlanta, GA
There were 135 attendees representing 95 different entities over a two-day Conference. We had a full agenda with two quality national speakers including Luke Visconti of DiversityInc and Deidre Davis of Wal-Mart, discussing diversity, disability and employment. Other presentations included strategies for employers seeking people with disabilities, the Think Tank discussion and the Intern Panel with their respective supervisors. An additional presentation included two sisters with the same progressive visual impairment and who were very involved in their own career development. They had a unique perspective since their disability was not always apparent. Our Banquet entertainment featured Laura Dodd, a country / blues vocalist with a rare auto-immune disorder. She received a standing ovation for a great performance several original songs and standards. As part of the kickoff of the Conference, SunTrust hosted a reception in their World Trade Club at their headquarters, with James Wells, President and CEO of SunTrust Bank offering welcoming remarks. Meredith Gaile and Katherine McCary worked very hard at making the Conference a great success.
6th Annual National Conference - July 2005 - Merck and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Co-hosts - Boston, MA
There were 160 attendees representing 102 different entities over a 2 day Conference. We had a full agenda with three quality national keynote speakers, including Olegario “Ollie” Cantos of the US Department of Justice, Dr. Temple Grandin and Bree Walker and her daughter Andrea, discussing diversity, disability, employment and the media. Other speakers explored areas of the transition for students with disabilities from high school to higher education and to employment, the US Business Leadership Network, the spread of universal design and the perspectives of NACE and AHEAD as national organizations willing to work together to improve the career employment situation for students with disabilities. We also had an Experienced Panel of three individuals with disabilities, who have been out of school for a few years and have worked with hidden disabilities. We had our traditional “Think Tank” Discussion covering a number of best practices that were useful and helpful. The Banquet had entertainment featuring The Matt Savage Trio, led by a 13-year old autistic young man who is a master musician on the piano and composer of jazz music. At their brand new research facility, Merck was a great host for the Conference. Also, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Laura Zirpolo Stout organized an elegant Banquet that was a relaxed way of enjoying the music and networking for all of our attendees.
5th Annual National Meeting – May 2004 – Motorola host – Schaumburg, IL
There were 100 attendees representing 70 different entities over a 2 day Meeting. We had a full agenda with three quality national keynote speakers, including Kathy Martinez of the World Institute on Disability, Dr. Carol Gill of the University of Illinois Chicago and Robert David Hall of CSI, discussing diversity, disability, employment and the media. Other speakers explored areas of the international student perspective on disability and employment, the impact of employee behavioral health conditions on companies, disclosure of a hidden disability in an interview situation, the Washington Center Internship Program for Students with Disabilities and the US Business Leadership Network. We also had our traditional Intern Panel of four young individuals with disabilities, who have succeeded in many endeavors and “Think Tank” Discussion. A new feature was the spotlight on the partnership between employers and universities and featured the relationship between Motorola and Arizona State University. At our Banquet, the entertainment featured Anita Hollander singing her one-woman show “Still Standing”. Speaking of standing, she received a loud ovation with everyone on their feet for those who could stand. Motorola and Kevin Foster were the consummate hosts and were the reason the Meeting was a great success.
4th Annual National Meeting - May 2003 - Microsoft host - Seattle / Redmond, WA
There were 98 attendees from 77 different entities over a 2 1/2 day meeting. Not only was this Meeting larger, but also we were fortunate to attract the interest of many different folks who have not previously attended a COSD Meeting. Included in the newcomer list was Rehabilitation Services Administration in the US Department of Education, US Department of the Interior, National Institutes of Mental Health, State of Washington Education representatives and individuals from three local K - 12 school districts who were transition specialists or teachers. We had a full agenda with four quality national speakers on disability and diversity, including Greg Smith of On A Roll Radio, Sarah Triano of Access Living of Metro Chicago, Dr. Frederick Humphries of NAFEO and Steve Hanamura of Hanamura Consulting. Other segments of the Meeting included a presentation on the new research into Attention Deficit Disorder, an Internship Discussion Panel of four young individuals and a "Think Tank" Discussion. We also presented entertainment at the Westin Seattle that featured "Light Motion", a female dance duo focusing on the gracefulness of dance in combination with the power of disability. The performance was an incredibly impressive display. Additionally, Microsoft, as host, provided many activities for the attendees.
3rd Annual National Meeting - July 2002 - NASA / University of DC hosts - Washington, DC
There were 57 attendees over the day and a half long event, representing 41 different organizations. The Keynote Speaker was Claiborne Haughton, Jr., Retired Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Equal Opportunity. He spoke to our group, energizing us with a very inspirational message covering three basic themes that meshed well with the philosophy of COSD.We featured a Discussion Panel, comprised of four individuals who have been through internship programs such as the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) or Entry Point through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). These individuals with disabilities are either currently employed full time with a member employer or have been students of a member university. Each individual had the opportunity to tell their unique story through their answers to several questions covering several major areas including what it took to obtain the internship, what benefits were received through the internship, benefits from mentoring and the amount and quality of assistance received from Disability Services and Career Services. Each stated the high value of their internship experiencesAll attendees participated in a "Think Tank" Discussion on the topic of whether there is a connection between disability and diversity. Assumptions held by both employers and universities regarding disability and employment were discussed.
2nd Annual National Meeting - March 2001 - Exxon Mobil host - Houston, TX
At this meeting, 37 individuals representing 30 different entities attended. We further clarified the direction of the organization, as well as the strong need for greater structure and a stable funding base. The Steering Committee was charged with formalizing the structure of the organization with decisions on such issues as growth in the number of participants, communication to, and among, the participants, strategic alliances with national associations such as NACE and AHEAD and funding. Time lines were established for one, two and three years and milestones were identified for each year.
1st Annual National Meeting - February 2000 - Procter & Gamble host - Cincinnati, OH
A core group of individuals, representing the organizations we visited in our research, was brought together to discuss how to structure the group and what the priorities should be on an ongoing basis. At the meeting we had 32 participants from 24 different entities and agreed upon the building blocks of the consortium including three areas of focus: 1. A national website that is devoted solely to disability and employment issues. 2. Education that would benefit students with disabilities, employers and university faculty and staff. 3. Follow up of students as they graduate to create a study of where students land in careers that will assist university professionals in advising current and future students in their career choices. A governing structure was also established with a Steering Committee. The name, COSD, was adopted by a vote of all participants in October 2000.