Hybrid Event – The Arc of Illinois 75th Annual Convention in Normal
An in-person and online (hybrid) convention for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, their families and providers
Join The Arc of Illinois for its 75th annual convention on April 22-23. This year’s diamond anniversary theme is “Honoring Our Legacy and Embracing Our Future.”
Online and in-person attendees will enjoy two full days of presentations, breakout sessions, an art show, awards and an exhibitor hall. Only the presentations marked “Live Streamed” will be available for virtual attendees (one in English, one session in Spanish).
This year’s hybrid event will feature keynote speakers:
- Alonzo Kelly, PhD, on “Navigating The Terrain of Change (without losing our way or sanity!)”
- Samantha Alloway on “We Are The Arc of Illinois”
- Emily Holl, MFA, MSW, on “Better Together: A Community as a Catalyst for Social Change”
On-site participants will have a wide range of breakout sessions to choose from, including:
- “How I Managed My Brother’s Mental Health Crisis” a Self-Advocate’s Journey
- “What an Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Program Can Do for You”
- “Empowering Parents for Transition Planning: Starting Early for Lifelong Success”
- “Developing Partnerships to Facilitate Successful Medical Transition in Persons with Complex Care Medical Needs”
- “How are You Doing?: A Check-In on Our Mental Health”
- “Getting connected to Lifespan Respite and Other Supports the IRC Provides”
- “Conexión con los centros de empleo”
- “Microempresa – Está En Tu Futuro?”
- “Descripción General del Seguro Social por Discapacidad Social y la Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario”
Erica Stearns, the Division of Specialized Care for Children’s Home Care Family Outreach Associate and Family Advisory Council Co-Chair, will also help lead a breakout session on “Repurposing Your Skills to Create Meaningful Change.”
See the 2025 conference brochure for more details, including the cost to attend and registration form. The flyer includes information in Spanish.
You can also register online for the convention.
Virtual participants will receive a Zoom link before the conference. They will also have access to breakout session recordings after the convention.