2026 Conference
We’re All In This Together
Wednesday, May 27
12:00 pm ⦿ Set Up & Registration
12:00-1:30 pm ⦿ Sky Bar ⦿ Service Provider Exhibits Setup
1:30-4:30 pm ⦿ Registration Opens
3:00pm ⦿ MRA President’s Welcome & Service Provider Exhibits Open
⦿Sky Bar
3:00-3:15 pm ⦿ MRA Welcome
William Dooley, Asst Director of VR Mental Health Services, MRA President
Michael Kiener, Ph.D., CRC, Maryville University, MRA Past President
Carol Rothove, 1st Choice Employment Agency, MRA President Elect
3:15-3:45 pm ⦿ Service Provider Recognition: Elizabeth Perkins, Coordinator, Programs, MO Vocational Rehabilitation
3:45 ⦿ Opening Keynote
Looking beyond the surface: Strategies for uncovering hidden workplace opportunities
Dr. Gina Oswald, PhD., CRC, CVE, NBC-HWC, Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability, Cornell University
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.
5:15 ⦿ Dinner
Dinner (Missouri Cookout) ⦿ Sky Bar
First Night Networking ⦿ Game Night
Drinks Sponsored by Missouri Welding Institute
Thursday, May 28
8:00 am ⦿ Introduction
⦿ Sky Bar
8:00-9:00 am ⦿ Registration Opens & Hot Breakfast (Traditional Buffet)
8:30-8:45 am ⦿ Kick Off Pep Talk: Chris Clause, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services, DESE
9:00-10:00 am ⦿ Morning Welcome: Empowering Possibilities: Building Career Literacy to Unlock Opportunities – Rebecca Kessler, Education & Integration Specialist, The DeBruce Foundation
10:00–10:15 am ⦿ Exhibitors/Relax N’ Recharge Break
10:15 am ⦿ Break Out Session #1
11:15 am ⦿ Relax N’ Recharge Break
Lower Event Center ⦿ Missouri ReEntry Simulation
Upper Events Center ⦿ Exhibitors
11:30 am ⦿ Break Out Session #2
12:30 am ⦿ Awards Luncheon
⦿ Sky Bar
Emcee Kimberly Pudlowski, Director, MU Pre-ETS
Followed by the Governor’s Council on Disability Awards Presentation
2:30 pm ⦿ Exhibitors/Relax N’ Recharge Break ⦿ Upper Event Center
3:00 pm ⦿ Break Out Session #3
4:15 pm ⦿ Break Out Session #4
5:15 pm ⦿ Puzzle Networking
⦿ Lower Event Center
Friday, May 29
7:30 am ⦿ Welcome
⦿ Sky Bar
7:00 – 8:30 am | Hot Breakfast (South of the Border Buffet) & Morning Business Session
Michael Kiener, MRA President
8:45 am ⦿ Break Out Session #5
Select a session to learn more
10:00 am ⦿ Silent Auction Closes & Conference Announcements
10:30 am ⦿ Closing Keynote
There is No “I” in Team
Steven Ice, Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, Independent Drivers, LLC
This presentation will focus on the importance of the TEAM effort from professionals for providing services and support for the disabled community throughout their lifespan. This presentation will also focus on the importance of inclusion and independence for everyone, especially those with disabilities.
Finally, this presentation will also include multiple raffle drawings for a multitude of prizes, some with a retail value as much as $400. Half of the raffle proceeds will be donated to the MRA, the other half will be a CASH prize. Find out more details and take a look at the prizes by visiting Independent Drivers, LLC’s EXHIBITOR BOOTH anytime during the conference.
11:30 am ⦿ Closing
‘Name Tag’ Basket Drawing
Exhibitor Bingo Drawing
Silent Auction Winners