View resources from the first series installment (July 2014)

View resources from the second series installment (January 2015)

View resources from the third series installment (January 2016)

Featuring Temple Grandin, Ph.D. 

ABOUT THIS EVENT

This symposium convenes expert panelists, corporate and civic leaders, advocates, and industry professionals to discuss the impact disabilities have in our communities. It is an opportunity to have candid conversations about the innovative ways we can tackle the pressing social, financial, and economic issues related to disabilities. One in five individuals in the general population has a disability. Public policy and traditional funding sources have created safety nets, provided opportunity for community integration, and given a voice to some of the most vulnerable in our communities.  However, the social, financial, and personal costs of disabilities can be staggering. Panelists will include a cross section of business and community leaders and the role that governmental entities, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, researchers, businesses, and the nonprofit sector play in facilitating and advancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Special Opportunity for Guests

We have been offered a special opportunity for our guests visiting Salt Lake City to register for an outdoor recreational experience on April 2, 2016. Click here for the exclusive offer from Fins and Feathers Club. More details to come!

SCHEDULE – April 1, 2016

7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast

8:00 a.m. to 8:10 a.m.  Welcome

8:10 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks

• Michael Drury, Chief Economist, McVean Trading and Investments and GIC Chairman
• Stephanie Mackay, Chief Innovation Officer, Columbus Community Center

SESSIONS

The Employment Odyssey—A Candid Conversation about Government and Corporate Social Responsibility

8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Individuals with disabilities face the highest unemployment rate, highest poverty rate, and the greatest isolation of any demographic group. The role of state government is critical in responding to the needs unique to their communities and citizens. Utah is being recognized for its strong economy, business-friendly climate, low unemployment rate, and innovate social impact investing initiatives. Government leaders will share their thoughts on the obstacles and opportunities of public/private partnerships that can serve as model to finding meaningful ways to employ individuals with disabilities.

• Moderator: Natalie Gochnour, Director, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the Unversity of Utah
• Darin Brush, Executive Director, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
• Q. Val Hale, Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Economic Development
• Paul Smith, Executive Director, Utah Division of Services for Persons with Disabilities
• Stephanie Mackay, Chief Innovation Officer, Columbus Community Center and GIC Board Member

The Role of Federal Reserve Bank: Policy, Research, Practices, and Collaboration that Impact our Communities

9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

The Federal Reserve’s mission is to promote low inflation, full employment and financial stability, and provide services to financial institutions and the Treasury. We see the headlines about interest rates and unemployment, but all of the Federal Reserve regions have dedicated resources that focus on issues related to economic mobility for lower-income individuals. Individuals with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by unemployment and poverty. The Federal Reserve’s Community Development and Research departments provide research and best practices about education, healthy communities, workforce development, affordable housing, and financial stability. In this session, you will hear about the work that the Federal Reserve does to develop and connect best practices and emerging ideas to make meaningful change in our communities.

• Moderator: David Kotok, CIO, Cumberland Advisors and GIC Board Member
• David Altig, Executive Vice President and Director of Research, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and GIC Board Member
• Ian Galloway, Senior Research Associate, Community Development, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
• Joselyn Cousins, Regional Manager, Community Development, Arizona, Nevada and Utah, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Building Intentional Communities—The Hub of Opportunity

11 a.m. to Noon

An intentional community is a planned residential community designed from the start to have a high degree of social cohesion and teamwork. The concept is gaining momentum as a way to provide affordable housing and integration for some of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities. Building on this notion, Columbus Community Center is working with stakeholders to develop “The Hub of Opportunity.” This project is a transit-oriented, mixed-use real estate development that maximizes the benefits of transit-oriented, affordable housing; job opportunities; and business development. In this session, stakeholders in this project will discuss how they have leveraged public/private partnerships, philanthropy, and traditional financial products to create a model intentional community in the heart of Salt Lake County.

• Moderator:  Monica Rafferty, Columbus Board Member and Vice President, Coldwell Banker Commercial
• Palmer DePaulis, Community Advocate and past Salt Lake City Mayor
• Kristy Chambers, Executive Director, Columbus Community Center
• Safia Keller, Parent Representative
• Todd Brashear, Executive Director, McCarthey Family Foundation
• JaLynn Prince, President and Co-Founder, Madison House Autism Foundation

Keynote Address and Lunch

12:15 to 1:00 p.m.

HELPING DIFFERENT KINDS OF MINDS BECOME SUCCESSFUL

Temple Grandin, PhD – Biologist, Writer, Educator

Defying expectations that autism would prevent her from living a productive life, Dr. Temple Grandin has enjoyed an amazing and inspiring life, which has been featured in major media programs and an HBO movie. She has revolutionized perceptions of autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. At two-years-old, Dr. Grandin had no speech and all the signs of severe autism which, at the time, was deemed a form of brain damage. Fortunately, her mother defied the advice of doctors and kept her out of an institution. Many hours of speech therapy, and intensive teaching enabled Dr. Grandin to learn speech. As a teen, life was hard with constant teasing and struggles in school and social situations. Mentoring by her high school science teacher and her aunt on her Arizona ranch motivated Dr. Grandin to study and pursue a career as a scientist and livestock equipment designer.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s and PhD in animal science. Professor Grandin has taught courses and consulted on livestock behavior and facility design. Her designs are found in livestock facilities throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

1:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. A Roundtable Discussion with the Autism Experts: A Q&A Session with Dr. Temple Grandin and Dr. William McMahon

Moderator: Michael McKee, Radio Host and Economics Editor, Bloomberg Television

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dr. Grandin will be available to sign books. King’s English Booksellers will be available to sell Dr. Grandin’s books.

1:45 p.m. to 2:30—Breakout sessions (participants choose to attend one session)

Breakout Session 1. Turning the Light on Disabilities: A Roundtable Discussion with Employers That Have Found Innovative Ways to Employ Individuals with Disabilities

Breakout Session 2. Creating a Safety Net for Young Adults: A Q and A with Parents, Advocates, and Service Providers

About our program partner:

Columbus (www.columbusserves.org) is a highly respected nonprofit agency that provides services for individuals with disabilities. Columbus has a 48-year history of pursuing entrepreneurial opportunity to employ individuals with developmental and physical disabilities.

Click here for a list of recommended hotels. 

View the final program