Inclusion Done Right! Conference Advances Disability Advocacy

Stony Brook University's annual Inclusion Done Right!conferencebrought together more than 160 participants to the Charles B. Wang Center, a turnout that is representative of the growing momentum behind community-based inclusion for people with disabilities.

Now in its third year, the conference - presented by the School of Health Professions and the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Judith Brown Clarke - served as a point of connection and collaboration between Stony Brook faculty, staff, and community partners, with more than 70% of attendees coming from outside the university.

The October 17 event, free and open to the public, was designed for anyone interested in advancing inclusive practices, from healthcare and education professionals to individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.

"The Inclusion Done Right!conference is a remarkable opportunity to bring together community partners, academics, and practitioners to share best practices and advance the critically important work of ensuring equity, access, and inclusion for all, especially those with disabilities," said Stacy Jaffee Gropack, dean of Stony Brook's School of Health Professions. "This event is a powerful expression of our commitment as a university and a School of Health Professions to lead not just in research and education, but in creating a more supportive and inclusive society for everyone."

The daylong event featured keynote talks, panel discussions, and breakout sessions, all shaped by feedback from participants in last year's conference. That participant-driven approach, said conference co-chair Agnes McConlogue Ferro, reflects the event's guiding philosophy.

"The biggest takeaway for me every year is that we are building community," said McConlogue Ferro, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. "We are responding to the needs identified specifically by attendees - and that carries a lot of responsibility for our planning committee to ensure that it is 'done right.' I am so deeply grateful for and humbled by the support both here at Stony Brook University and from the community."

The morning opened with McConlogue Ferro's address, Set the Stage for Inclusion, followed by Rewriting the Narrative on Disability in Science, a conversation with nationally recognized advocate Keri Gray. A cancer survivor and founder of the National Alliance of Melanin Disabled Advocates (NAMED Advocates), Gray is known for her work advancing racial and disability justice and for challenging how medical and scientific language frames disability. In her talk, she urged participants to rethink the narratives that shape public perception and policy.

Another highlight came from keynote speaker Nicole Zeitzer Johnson, co-founder and executive director of the FOXG1 Research Foundation. Inspired by her daughter Josie's diagnosis with a rare neurological disorder, Johnson built a global parent-driven organization that is now preparing for clinical trials of a gene therapy in 2026. Johnson also founded Joyfully Josie Education to advance and support disability inclusion at the earliest ages.

To support and advance her incredible work, all attendees received free copies of her book Joyfully Josie. In her talk, A Mom Moving Mountains: Changing the Future of Rare Disease and Disability Inclusion, Johnson shared how families like her own can drive research innovation and social change.

Afternoon breakout sessions under the banner Every Voice Mattersexplored topics such as leveraging technology for inclusion, reframing the language of science and healthcare, and advancing community and vocational opportunities. Speakers included Gray, Johnson, and other advocates leading change in their respective fields.

At the conclusion of the event, attendees reconvened to create a "Collaborative Action Plan," identifying next steps to strengthen partnerships and expand access across Long Island and beyond.

McConlogue Ferro said the conference's impact continues to grow. "We're already seeing the results - attendees from year one presented their work in year three," she said. "That's what we consider 'done right,' and we intend to keep building on that momentum to support, advance, and create knowledgeable change for our communities and beyond."

- Beth Squire