WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 16, 2022)—The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) today announced its keynote speaker lineup for the organization’s annual Leadership Conference.
The event, back to an in-person format for 2022, will feature United States Access Board Executive Director Sachin Pavithran, Ph.D., and dynamic speaker, trainer, workshop facilitator, and DEI consultant Catarina Rivera, MSEd, MPH, CPACC.
Dr. Pavithran’s keynote will focus on disability rights in and out of the workplace. He has over 20 years’ experience working in the disability field, with expertise in research, accessibility, program implementation, and policy development. Ms. Rivera’s keynote will be titled “There Is No DEI Without Disability: The Future of Work Must Prioritize Disability Inclusion.” Ms. Rivera regularly shares short videos on disability awareness, inclusion, and accessibility on her Instagram account, @BlindishLatina.
The AFB Leadership Conference provides a forum in which leaders from a variety of fields—including research, technology, education, corporations, health and government organizations—have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of best practices, refine leadership skills, identify inclusion practices that work, and share concerns and strategies.
The theme of the conference is “Inclusion at Work,” which will be woven into both keynoters' addresses. The event will also include a dozen breakout sessions over the two days. With such titles as "Leveraging the Disability Equality Index to Become Authentically Disability Inclusive" and "Intersectionality, Disability Pride, and Becoming a Content Creator," the event promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking experience.
The AFB Leadership Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, May 2-3. Registration is currently open.
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About the American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) mobilizes leaders, advances understanding, and champions impactful policies and practices using research and data. Publisher of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness for over a century and counting, AFB is also proud to steward the accessible Helen Keller Archive, honoring the legacy of our most famous ambassador. AFB’s mission is to expand pathways to leadership, education, inclusive technology, and career opportunities to create a world of no limits for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. To learn more, visit www.afb.org.
