A Huge Thanks to Our 2026 Conference Sponsors
Centene Corporation
Centene is committed to helping people live healthier lives. They provide access to high-quality healthcare, innovative programs and a wide range of health solutions that help families and individuals get well, stay well and be well.
Since its founding as a single local healthcare plan in 1984, Centene's heart and soul has been linked to the health of the communities they serve. From that day until now, Centene has worked tirelessly to fulfill needs in healthcare and help more individuals.
As they go about their work today, this long-held commitment to the lives of children, families, seniors, people with disabilities and many more is encapsulated in their purpose: Transforming the health of the community, one person at a time.
Click Here to visit Centene Corporation website and learn more
Ability360
Ability360 continues a 40-year tradition of offering and promoting programs to empower people with all disabilities to take personal responsibility so that they may achieve or continue independent lifestyles within the community.
Ability360 is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. Through its comprehensive programs, Ability360 touches the lives of individuals with disabilities and addresses the disability concerns of their family members, co-workers and employers.
Ability360 began in 1977 as the Arizona Congress for Action (ACA), a group of people with diverse physical disabilities who launched a grassroots effort to educate the community about disability-related issues in Central Arizona. In 1978, Congress enacted Independent Living Center legislation as part of the amended Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In 1981, Ability360 received funding and began services.
With more than 130 staff members and volunteers, more than 1,500 personal care attendants and hundreds of volunteers, Ability360 has offices in Phoenix, Gilbert/Mesa, Glendale, Tucson, along with Coolidge, and provides services throughout Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, and Gila Counties.
Click Here to Visit the Ability360 website and learn more about them
New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL)
The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) is a statewide, not-for-profit membership association created by and composed of Independent Living Centers across New York State.
Click Here to download a PDF Brochure
Mission:
NYAIL leads statewide Independent Living Center efforts to eliminate physical and attitudinal barriers to all aspects of life and to fight for the civil rights and full independence of all people with disabilities.
Vision:
NYAIL envisions a future where people with disabilities have equal opportunity to live a life free of poverty, segregation, and discrimination.
Shared Values:
Inclusion Through Diversity and Intersectionality
We recognize that we are diverse and experience different and overlapping forms of systemic oppression and discrimination. We value the shared perspectives and individual experiences we bring to the fight for justice.
Disability-Led Advocacy for Justice and Civil Rights
We are people with disabilities who lead, advocate, and take action for social and economic justice, civil rights, and full inclusion in society.
Collaboration and Solidarity to Foster Community
We build alliances and engage a broad coalition of diverse stakeholders to achieve justice and equality for all. Each person thrives in their own way and brings unique value to our movement.
Independent Living Philosophy:
NYAIL affirms that people with disabilities have the right to live an autonomous life, the freedom to work without barriers, and the right to engage as equal partners in society.
What are Independent Living Centers (ILCs)?
ILCs are unique disability-led, cross-disability, locally administered not-for-profit organizations, providing advocacy and supports to assist people with disabilities of all ages to live independently and fully integrated in their communities. ILCs have served as the voice of the disability rights movement in New York since its inception more than two decades ago. We assist individuals in navigating complex service systems and advocate to ensure access to their chosen services and supports. Core programs include information and referral services, peer counseling, individual and systems advocacy, independent living skills training, and transition. Other services vary from center to center but generally include: assistance with housing, education, employment, medical needs and personal attendant services.
For statistics and more information about the importance of ILCs, see NYAIL’s 2021 Informational Flier here.
Click Here to visit the NYAIL website and learn more about them.
University of North Texas
We are a community of dreamers and doers. Talented students define their path to greatness. Alumni lead the way as they shape the world. Dedicated faculty create and share knowledge from the frontiers of discovery. Passionate staff help students succeed.
As one of the nation's largest universities, we offer 116 bachelor’s degrees, 87 master’s degrees and 39 doctoral degrees. By providing access, welcoming diversity and strengthening our collaborations with our many educational, business and community partners, UNT's faculty and staff work each day to prepare students for the challenges they will meet in our changing world.
UNT's Mission
At the University of North Texas, our caring and creative community empowers our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
UNT's Purpose
Our students will be the innovative leaders of tomorrow.
UNT's Vision
We will become globally known for collaborative and imaginative educational innovation and scholarly activity that transforms our students and benefits the world around us.
Established in 1890, the University of North Texas thrives as a Carnegie-ranked R1 public research university with nearly 44,000 students on a path to any career. As we’ve grown into one of the nation’s largest public universities and the third largest in Texas, our impact has grown, but we’ve never lost sight of our beginnings above a hardware store on the Denton square.
To learn more about University of North Texas (UNT) and what they do, click here.
Special Thank you to the Following Individual Sponsors: