Where Voices Rise, Community Thrives, and Freedom Begins
This year's conference is SOLD OUT and has shaped up to be the social & educational event of the year! We can't wait to welcome everyone to the Town & Country Resort. Early check-in starts on Thursday 10/15 from 4:30pm - 6:30pm, with main registration opening at 7am on Friday 10/16.
Our long-awaited Speaker Schedule is HERE
​We are thrilled to release the full conference schedule here for your convenience, but be sure to download the Whova app to engage directly with speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and each other. Attendees can plan meet ups and coordinate itineraries all at the click of a button!
FRIDAY - October 16, 2026
SPEAKER | TITLE | TIME | PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
Dawnmarie Gaivin | Welcome Kick Off | 8:30 AM | PACIFIC A |
Elizabeth Zielinski | More Than Spelling: Our Place in History & the Future | 9:00 AM | PACIFIC A |
BREAK | MOVEMENT BREAK | 10-10:15 AM | EXHIBIT HALL & LOBBY |
Dr. Barry Pizant | Centering the Nonspeaker in the Neurodiversity Movement | 10:15 AM | PACIFIC A |
Elaine Hall | Express Yourself with The Miracle Project: Creating lyrics, music, movement, theater with non-speakers and multi-modality communicators | 11:30 AM | PACIFIC A |
Christen & Eric Freund | Building a Team for the Long Game | 11:30 AM | BREAKOUT (PACIFIC H&I) |
LUNCH | <LUNCH> | 12:30-1:30pm | LOOKOUT POINT LAWN |
Sebastian Frietas, Jack Hague, Caden Larson, Vince Rinicella, Lora Tompkins | Ask Me Anything (Self-Advocate Panel) | 1:30-2:45pm | PACIFIC A |
BREAK | MOVEMENT BREAK | 2:45-3:00 PM | EXHIBIT HALL & LOBBY |
Dr. Dana Johnson | Brain: "I said STOP." Body: "Define stop." | 3:00 PM | PACIFIC A |
GROUP SPELL SESSION | Lesson Topic Coming Soon! | 3:00 PM | BREAKOUT (PACIFIC H&I) |
Vaish Sarathy, Sid Ghosh, Grace Falleur, Angela Falleur | Foundation to Flight ---> Using Art & Science as the basis of a stable+creative mind ---> Presuming Possibility | 4:00 PM | PACIFIC A |
Pamela Blanton & Jamie Martin | Creating Innovative Shared Living Solutions | 4:00PM | BREAKOUT (PACIFIC H&I) |
DINNER BREAK | ON YOUR OWN | 5:00PM | |
Evening Event | Hawaiian Luau | 6:00 - 9:00 PM | FLAMINGO LAWN |
SAT - October 17, 2026
SPEAKER | Title | TIME | PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mary Holland | Childrens Health Defense - In Support of Spellers | 8:30 AM | PACIFIC A |
Darlene Hanson | Finding Your Voice: A Staged Curriculum for Teaching Self-Advocacy to AAC Users | 9:00 AM | PACIFIC A |
Hannah Lentz | Workshop 1: Exploring Your Inherent Creativity and Self-Expression Through Music | 9:00 AM | BREAKOUT (PACIFIC H&I) |
BREAK | MOVEMENT BREAK | 10:00-10:15AM | EXHIBIT HALL & LOBBY |
Elizabeth Bonker - KEYNOTE | Communication Equality: Where We Are, Where We Are Going, and How We Will Get There! | 10:00 AM | PACIFIC A |
Edlyn Pena, Spencer Austin, Samuel Capozzi, Lukas McAllister, Diego Pena, Colin Stein | Thriving as an Autistic Adult: Quality of Life Indicators from Research & Spellers Experiences | 11:30 AM | PACIFIC A |
LUNCH | <Lunch is Included> | 12:30PM | LOOKOUT POINT LAWN |
Dr. Susan Daniel | Vision Therapy for Spellers: Supporting Visual and Motor and Motor Skills for Successful Communication | 1:30 PM | PACIFIC A |
Hannah Lentz | Workshop 2: Sensory Regulation through Music | 1:30 PM | BREAKOUT (PACIFIC H&I) |
BREAK | MOVEMENT BREAK | 2:20-2:35PM | EXHIBIT HALL & LOBBY |
Suzanne Oliver & Kade Brandhagen | Rhythm for Freedom: Music and its Role In Body Support | 2:35 PM | PACIFIC A |
GROUP SPELL SESSION | Lesson Topic Coming Soon! | 2:35 PM | BREAKOUT (IN PACIFIC H&I) |
Betsy Hicks Russ | Your Voice, Their Story: Representing NonSpeakers on Social Media | 3:30 PM | PACIFIC A |
Dawnmarie Gaivin | Closing Remarks | 4:30 - 5:00 PM | PACIFIC A |
DINNER | ON YOUR OWN | ||
Evening Event (1) | Silent Disco | 6:30 - 9:00 PM | PACIFIC A |
Evening Event (2) | Pointing Fingers - movie screening & cast Q&A | 7:00 - 9:00 PM | BREAKOUT (IN PACIFIC H&I) |
Meet Our Amazing Speakers
Dr. Barry Prizant
Friday KEYNOTE Speaker
Dr. Susan Daniel
Developmental Optometry
Grace Falleur
Self-Advocate, SFF Board
Caden Larson
Self-Advocate / IACC Member
Kade Brandhagen
Self-Advocate
Elaine Hall
The Miracle Project
Sebastian Freitas
Self-Advocate
Edlyn Pena
Dream Community Center
Meghan Butler & Anni Dayan
Sound Healers
Elizabeth Bonker
Saturday KEYNOTE Speaker
Elizabeth Zielinski
Commonwealth Education
Lora Tompkins
Self-Advocate
Suzanne Oliver
Neurologic Music Therapy®
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Vince Rinicella
Self-Advocate
Dr. Dana Johnson
Spellers Method Co-Founder
Diego Pena
Self-Advocate
Betsy Hicks-Russ
Autism Odyssey
Spencer Austin
Self-Advocate
Darlene Hanson
Kindred Communication
Neurologic Music Therapy®
Jack Hague
Self-Advocate
Eric & Christen Freund
Hope on the Hard Road
Lukas McAllister
Self-Advocate
Dr. Vaish Sarathy
Learning Consultant
Sid Ghosh
Self-Advocate
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Colin Stein
Self-Advocate
Hannah Lentz
Board Certified Music Therapist
Samuel Capozzi
Self-Advocate
Pam Blanton
Partners4Housing
Jamie Martin
Partners4Housing
Dawnmarie Gaivin
SFF Executive Director,
Spellers Method Co-Founder
More Than Just Sessions - It's an All-Inclusive Experience
Welcome
Luau
Kick off the weekend with tropical vibes, live music, and a feast under the stars. Meet your community in a space designed for connection.
Silent Disco
Party
Dance the night away with headphones, your choice of music, and zero sensory overwhelm. Pure joy, your way... with friends.
Movie Screening
Watch the film & meet the cast of Pointing Fingers, a murder-mystery written by & performed by nonspeakers - Dan Bergmann and Emily Faith Grodin. Free to conference attendees. Tickets available for outside guests!
Spellers
Social
Group lessons as well as low-key chat time where spellers connect with peers. Build friendships and practice skills in a supportive environment.
Surf Camps
Adaptive surf instruction on Sunday 10/18 for spellers on the beautiful San Diego coast. Feel the freedom of riding waves with expert support, or just come to sunbath & watch!
Sound Bath
For those who arrive on Thursday 10/15 and want to try a San Diego specialty... come experience a crystal bowl sound bath at 6:30pm and cleanse your chakras! (Limited to first 80 attendees simply due to room size constraints!) Come get your "om" on.
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
How it Works:
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Surf Camp Sponsors
Silent Disco Sponsor
Miles Scott & Family
Spellers' Lounge Sponsor
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The Handley
Family
Tickets Are SOLD OUT!
We have over 600 conference attendees coming and cannot wait to see you all in October. Keep following our social media channels & watch for newsletters in your email inbox for ongoing updates!
Contact us at info@spellersfreedomfoundation.org with questions