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Author: Gilda Evans

Supporting Siblings of People with Disabilities with Emily Holl

Written by Gilda Evans on .

Emily Holl is the Director of The Sibling Support Project at Kindering, the first national program dedicated to supporting siblings of people with developmental and health concerns. As a social worker and a sibling herself, Emily has published her research and written in blogs, magazines and books. She co-edited “The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Adult Brothers and Sisters of People with Disabilities.” 

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Special Needs Trusts with Michelle Wolf

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Michelle Wolf is a parent disability advocate and non-profit social services innovator. She is the Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Los Angeles Special Needs Trust, the first pooled nonprofit trust based in LA County for persons with a range of disabilities. Her professional career has been devoted to ensuring that people with chronic health conditions and disabilities are able to access government benefits and enjoy a higher quality of life.

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Making Marriage Work with John Graham

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John Graham, who identifies as autistic, shipped out on a freighter when he was 16, hitchhiked through the Algerian Revolution at 19 and was on the team that made the first ascent of Denali’s North Wall at 20, a climb so dangerous it’s never been repeated. He hitchhiked around the world at 22, working as a correspondent in every war he came across and was a US Foreign Service Officer for 15 years. He has supported initiatives for peace and justice in Asia, Africa and Cuba, including engineering a UN plan that helped end apartheid in South Africa. For the last 42 years he’s been a leader of the Giraffe Heroes Project with his wife, Ann Medlock, who identifies as neurotypical. 

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Creating Success with Steve Winshel

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Steve Winshel holds a PhD in experimental cognitive psychology but has spent his career as a serial startup founder and coach, mentor and teacher to many communities.  He helps entrepreneurs start their own businesses and coaches people who are at inflection points in their lives – career and personal.  He works specifically with neurodivergent clients to help them develop executive functions, move forward to successful careers, or start their own businesses.

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The Business of Voice Overs with Cathy McAuley

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With a career spanning over three decades, Cathy has established herself as a versatile and comedic powerhouse in the entertainment industry seamlessly navigating various mediums, and earning a variety of accolades and awards. Cathy’s passion for the arts extends to mentoring young adults on the autism spectrum through Spectrum Laboratory, with her commitment to diversity and inclusion shining through in every project. 

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We Are Brave Together with Jessica Patay

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Jessica Patay is the founder and executive director of We Are Brave Together, a nonprofit organization that supports caregiving moms with children of all types of disabilities and neuro-diverse diagnoses. In addition, she is a sought-out speaker, podcast guest, writer and retreat coordinator, fundraiser, mother of three, social influencer, and a champion of self-care practices and their positive effect on motherhood.

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ABA Therapy and Your Child with Jeff Skibitsky

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Jeff is founder and president of ABS Kids which has become a leading provider of services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The company has locations in California, Utah, and North Carolina and works with a team of more than 800 treatment providers. Jeff has been active in the autism community for almost two decades, holding numerous positions on various committees and boards. He is an advocate and a nationally recognized expert in treatments for children with ASD.

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Being KIND with Kari Baker

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Kari is a former financial services executive and business owner turned author, speaker, and podcaster.  She is the founder of KIND Families, a community of people who love Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences and is the host of The KIND Families Podcast.  Kari became a KIND mom in 2014 when her son Brady was diagnosed with autism at age three.  She started KIND Families to encourage, support, and inspire others to find purpose and promise in their individual journeys.  

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Emergency Preparedness with Judy Mark of DVU

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Judy Mark is President of Disability Voices United, an organization directed by and for people with disabilities and their families. DVU advocates for choice and control over our lives, meaningful outcomes that matter, and systems that are equitable and accountable. Judy has led efforts in California to enact several disability rights laws, spoken widely before diverse audiences and appeared extensively in the media about disability issues including on NBC News, the LA Times, and NPR. Judy also identifies as a person with a disability. 

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The Value of Music with Valery Goldes

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Valery Goldes is a recording artist, pianist, singer-songwriter, composer and a producer who grew up in Israel.  A child prodigy in classical piano, he has played with orchestras across Europe & Israel, including under the baton of Zubin Mehta with the Israel Philharmonic when he was only 13.  As a piano coach, Valery’s passion has always been to share his music knowledge and experience with his students. He believes in being not only an instructor but a mentor to each of his students, many of whom are neurodiverse.

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