2026 Missouri Rehabilitation Association Annual Conference
We Are All In This Together
May 27-29, 2026
The Resort at Lake of the Ozarks
MRA is pleased to host another great opportunity to gather and learn as a community at our annual state training conference. This year’s theme is: We Are All In This Together. We are striving to create formal and informal opportunities for people to meet, share ideas, build on already strong programs, and provide an atmosphere of inclusion and innovation.
Join us May 28-30, 2025 at The Resort At Lake Of The Ozarks for the annual MRA Conference. This annual training opportunity gives you access to an exciting keynote speaker, relevant break-out sessions, networking opportunities with other professionals in the rehabilitation field, evening entertainment, great food, and a beautiful meeting facility.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Gina Oswald, PhD., CRC, CVE, NBC-HWC
Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability
Cornell University
Looking beyond the surface: Strategies for uncovering hidden workplace opportunities
Which industries seem to be resistance to employment services or underrepresented in employment outcomes of people with disabilities? What are the current trending jobs that have staying power in an evolving world of work? This keynote will provide practical strategies for identifying and engaging with largely untapped labor industries. Topics to be covered include employment opportunities in rural regions, niche and regional industries, entrepreneurship and makerspace utilization, and jobs of the future.
2025 Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor: Starkloff Disability Institute
Silver Sponsor: Pre-Employment Transition Services of University of Missouri
Bronze Sponsor: The Tailor Institute
Networking Reception: Missouri Welding Institute
Beverages: SETWorks
Program Sponsor: UMSL
Relax & Recharge Room: United Access
Call for Nominations!
Missouri Rehabilitation Association Annual Awards
Missouri Rehabilitation Association recognizes outstanding contributions to the profession at the annual MRA Conference scheduled for May 27-29, 2026, at The Resort at Lake of the Ozarks. Please consider submitting a nomination.
Counselor of the Year: Recognizes outstanding contribution by a counselor in the Rehabilitation community who continually goes above and beyond to service persons with disabilities.
Outstanding Support Staff: Recognizes outstanding contribution by a support staff in the Rehabilitation community who goes above and beyond to service persons with disabilities.
Administrator of the Year: Recognizes an administrator who has provided outstanding service toward meeting the needs of their staff and the Rehabilitation community.
Employment Specialist of the Year: Recognizes outstanding contribution by a job developer and/or other service provider staff person who continually goes above and beyond to service persons with disabilities.
The Community Service Award: Recognizes an individual or group outside of the rehabilitation community who chooses to walk this path in service to help better the lives of individuals with disabilities. Their work creates more diverse and inclusive communities for people with disabilities and their families. This may be through leadership, advocacy, research, policy, and practice. This may also recognize outstanding contributions by a legislator or governmental affairs worker.
Consumer of the Year: Recognizes consumer(s) with successes in rehabilitation, who have or are working toward their goals and deserve special mention and recognition for their endeavors.
Employer of the Year: Recognizes employer(s) who have made significant contributions toward meeting the needs of the Rehabilitation community by hiring persons with disabilities.
MRA Lifetime Service Award: Recognizes MRA members who are either currently working or who have retired from employment. Designed to honor their long-term commitment to MRA and their dedication to serving the needs of persons with disabilities.
The Impact Award: The most prestigious MRA award recognizes an exemplary Missouri Leader in the disability sector who has had a profound impact on changing the lives and championing the rights of people with disabilities. (This award was formerly the Stevinson award. Mr. Stevinson was the founder and owner of Stevinson Auto and Electrical School. He had a long record of supporting MRA, NRA, Vocational Rehabilitation, and was a past president of MRA).
The Resort at Lake of the Ozarks
Conference rooms range in price from $134.00 (Standard King Guestroom) to $384.00 (Beach House, Two Bedroom Suite). Book your rooms before Friday, May 8th, 2026.
Interested in sponsoring the event?