Description

WHAT: Leading Change Conference: Accessibility in Action

WHEN: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 from 8:30am - 11:00am
WHERE: Rocky Mountain Equality, 3340 Mitchell Lane, Boulder 80301
COST: 

• $35 for Boulder Chamber Members 
• $60 for Non-members
  
  Leading Change 2026: Accessibility in Action
  
  What if improving accessibility could also strengthen your workforce, expand your reach, and create a better experience for everyone your organization serves?
  
  Leading Change 2026 invites business and community leaders to explore accessibility as more than a compliance requirement. Through engaging, short-form presentations and facilitated conversations, attendees will see how accessibility shows up across the workplace, customer service, communications, events, technology, physical spaces, hiring, neurodiversity, language access, and more.
  
  You’ll gain practical ideas, hear real-world perspectives, and reflect on where your organization is already succeeding and where meaningful opportunities remain.

Event Agenda

8:15 AM | Early Check-In & Coffee Service

8:30 AM | Program Begins

UNDERSTAND: Accessibility as a Business & Leadership Priority

Explore why accessibility matters beyond compliance and how creating more inclusive workplaces, services, and experiences benefits businesses and the communities they serve.

Featured Speaker:

Andrew C. Montoya
Civil Rights Legal Program Director, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
Presentation: Beyond Compliance: Why Accessibility Matters for Everyone

LEARN: Accessibility in Action

Four engaging, practical presentations exploring different dimensions of accessibility. Hear from experts on how to remove everyday barriers, strengthen workplace practices, and create more inclusive experiences for employees and customers.

Featured Speakers:

Leslie Espinoza
Executive Director, Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce
Creating Neuroinclusive Workplaces

Lee Shainis
Simple English
Making Everyday Communication More Accessible

Wendy Litman
City of Boulder ADA Coordinator
Creating Accessible Spaces, Services & Experiences

Sara Arfmann, Esq.
Employment Staff Attorney, Employers Council
Recognizing and Responding to Workplace Accommodation Needs

REFLECT: Identifying & Removing Barriers

Put learning into practice through an interactive activity and guided reflection. Explore common accessibility barriers, consider how they may show up in your own organization, and identify opportunities for improvement.

Facilitator:

Craig Towler
Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Center for People With Disabilities
From Awareness to Action: Identifying and Removing Barriers 

COMMIT: One Action, One Change

Turn insights into action! Leave with at least one practical commitment to improve accessibility within your workplace, business, or community.

10:45 AM | Closing Remarks & Networking

11:00 AM | Event Concludes

Program details and presentation titles are subject to change.

This conference is especially valuable for:
* Business owners, executives, and organizational leaders
* Human resources and workplace-culture professionals
* Marketing, communications, technology, and customer-service teams
* Event planners and facilities professionals
* Nonprofit, education, government, and community leaders
* Anyone responsible for creating experiences, services, or workplaces that serve a diverse community

You’ll leave with:

* A clearer understanding of why accessibility matters today
* Practical examples of accessibility in action
* Ideas you can apply within your own role or organization
* One specific commitment to help move your organization forward

Accessibility touches every organization, whether you have begun addressing it intentionally or are still determining where to start. Join us to learn, reflect, connect, and identify one meaningful action you can take next.

COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS: By attending this event, all participants are expected to abide by these, BOULDER CHAMBER Community Agreements and Code of Conduct.

SUSTAINABLE COMMUTING: The BOULDER CHAMBER and Boulder Chamber Transportation Connections (BCTC) encourage you to use sustainable transportation options to get to Chamber events! Learn more about transportation options in Boulder and how BCTC can help employers encourage their employees to commute sustainably, on the BCTC website or by emailing us at transportation@boulderchamber.com. BCTC promotes transportation choices that are efficient & sustainable and enhance the Boulder community as a great place to live, work, & play.

PHOTO/VIDEO RELEASE: By attending this event, photographs and videos of the event and individuals will be public and possibly used on future marketing for the BOULDER CHAMBER and its associates.

NOTE: The opinions and information provided by the BOULDER CHAMBER event speakers are strictly those of the speakers. The BOULDER CHAMBER does not necessarily endorse their opinions and has not independently verified the information presented.

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