October 7 – 8, 2026 • World Wide Technology Global HQ in St. Louis
Disability-Led. Employer-Ready.
The Starkloff Disability Employment Summit (SDES) is the Midwest’s leading workplace disability inclusion summit. Now in its 12th year, the Summit is expanding to two full days of insight, strategy, and real-world application.
Convening the full range of leaders who shape workplace culture—from HR and ERG leaders to marketing, communications, IT, and operations—SDES delivers what no other event can: disability inclusion expertise led by people with disabilities themselves.
SDES 2026: Intentionally Reimagined for Deeper Impact
The Starkloff Disability Employment Summit has always been where serious disability inclusion work happens. Based on feedback from practitioners in the field, we’ve redesigned the experience from the ground up to go beyond awareness to lasting impact.
The new 2-day Summit includes:
Tiered learning tracks that meet you at your level and push you further. Foundational sessions welcome practitioners just beginning the journey. With two additional options in every breakout block delivering the tactical, specialized depth that experienced inclusion leaders have been asking for. Every speaker. Every session. Built for action.
And the learning doesn’t stop in the session room. Structured networking connects you with peers who share your role, your challenges, and your goals: creating space for the kind of honest, productive conversation that only happens when the right people are in the room together. Your needs. Your network. Built for what’s next.
11
Starkloff Disability Employment Summits
100%
Attendees report increase disability confidence
4,700+
Professionals engaged and educated
1
Top disability employment event in Midwest
Why Attend SDES?
- Disability-Led Perspective:
Designed and guided by disability leaders, ensuring authentic insights grounded in lived experience and real-world expertise.
- Actionable Learning
Leave with concrete strategies you can immediately apply to hiring, retention, workplace culture, internal communication, marketing, and accessible design.
- All Levels Welcome
From foundational concepts to advanced practices, our new session tracks are designed to meet you where you are in your disability inclusion journey.
- Meaningful Connection
Build relationships with professionals from across industries and functions committed to the same goal: advancing disability. inclusion in the workplace. inclusion.
“One of the most informative and engaging conferences I’ve ever been to.”
Who Should Attend SDES?
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Employers and business leaders
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HR and talent acquisition professionals
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ERG leaders and members
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DEI professionals
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Marketing and communications professionals
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Accessibility professionals
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Learning and development professionals
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Advocates and allies
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Community and workforce stakeholders
“Meaningful and challenging content!“
2026 Keynote Speakers
Claudia L. Gordon, Esq.
Senior Accessibility Strategy Partner
T-Mobile
Claudia L. Gordon is a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities with nearly 30 years of versatile professional expertise, with a personal mission to level the playing field and ensure the same opportunities are provided for all. She currently serves as the Senior Accessibility Strategist with T-Mobile US, Inc. In this role, she drives strategies for a disability inclusive culture and an accessible plus equitable work environment.
Gordon has held senior leadership positions with Sprint Corporation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Council on Disability, and the National Association of the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center. During the Obama-Biden Administration, Gordon served as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and the Associate Director of Public Engagement for the White House Office of Public Engagement.
Adding to Gordon’s professional expertise is her lived experience as an immigrant at the intersections of race, disability, and gender, which is the foundation for the strong emphasis on disabled individuals with multiple marginalized identities that she brings to her work. For her unrelenting commitment to advocacy, compliance, civic engagement, and mentoring, Gordon has been recognized by the American Association of People with Disabilities, National Council on Independent Living (Max Starkloff Lifetime Achievement Award) Google, AT&T Humanity of Connection, National Disability Mentoring Coalition, National Association of the Deaf, National Black Deaf Advocates, and The Root 100. Gordon is a native of Jamaica, graduate of Howard University, and graduate of the American University’s Washington College of Law.
Stephen L. Nelson, MSOL
Director, Culture & Belonging
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Air
Steve Nelson is a neurodivergent Senior Leader with a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership as well as professional certificates in Diversity Equity and Inclusion for Organizations and Ethical Leadership.
For several years, Steve supported disability inclusion work at the Walt Disney World resort near Orlando, Florida. Steve has also served as an independent disability inclusion consultant for museums, zoos, and hotels across the globe, as well as for the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando.
Steve currently serves as the Director, Culture & Belonging for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Air where he began the airline industry’s first Disability Office. He also serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Disability: IN Washington State.
In 2024, Steve was recognized as one of the accessibility leaders to watch in travel by Conde Nast Traveler, and in 2025, Steve was recognized as one of the leading global accessibility champions in travel by TravelAbility.
Save 15% with early bird pricing before August 1! Use code: EARLY26
Registration
Be part of a growing community of leaders committed to rethinking work through the lens of disability inclusion. Leave equipped not only with new ideas—but with actionable next steps, trusted connections, and renewed momentum. Register today to reserve your spot!
Nonprofit & Service Provider Discount
We’re committed to ensuring accessibility for our nonprofit partners and service providers.
Please contact Casey Gagliardi at cgagliardi@starkloff.org to receive a 25% discount code for registration.
Call for 2026 SDES Speakers Now Open!
You’re invited to submit a presentation proposal for the 2026 Starkloff Disability Employment Summit. Please submit your proposal using the form below.
The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 20, 2026.
2026 Partnership and Recognition Opportunities
The Starkloff Disability Employment Summit and our programs that build inclusion where we live, learn, work, and play would not be possible without the support of our sponsors.
Maximize your brand exposure with a comprehensive sponsorship level designed to elevate your presence at the 2026 Starkloff Employment Summit. Contact: Aimee Wehmeier, Chief Development Officer, awehmeier@starkloff.org, 314-860-3077 (direct) or 314-588-7090 (main).
“I can take what I learned back to my workplace and share and implement.“
Continuing Education Units Available
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Starkloff Disability Institute is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.
“I look forward to coming back next year!“
Previous Keynote Speakers
Rebecca Cokley
Program Officer, U.S. Disability Rights
Ford Foundation
Amie Fornah Sankoh, Ph.D
Senior R&D Specialist
Dow
Lori Golden
EY Global Disability Leader
EY
Dom Kelly
Founder, President & CEO
New Disabled South
Haley Moss, Esq.
Attorney, Advocate, Thought Leader
Haley Moss, LLC
Vincenzo Piscopo
President
Morgan’s Inclusion Institute
Daniel Van Sant, J.D., M.S.Ed.
The Harkin Institute
T-Mobile
