MAY 13, 2025 | 8:00AM - 4:00PM | FSU PANAMA CITY
Holley Academic Center, 4750 Collegiate Drive, Panama City, FL 32405
DISABILITY CONFERENCE
Welcome to the Inaugural Northwest Florida Disability Conference presented by Florida State University Panama City and Gulf Coast State College.
Our mission is to provide networking, community building, education, and resources for professionals, individuals and families of those with disabilities in and around the Northwest Florida region.
The theme for this year’s conference asks the question, “Where Do We Go from Here?” Our goal is to discuss past accomplishments, inspiring ideas for the future and how we can work together with local agencies to continue being agents of change.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE!
AGENDA AM
8:00 am Networking, Vendors & Continental Breakfast
Breakfast sponsor: Arc of the Bay
9:00 am Welcome & Acknowledgements
Irvin Clark, Ed.D., Associate Dean, Student & Strategic Initiatives, FSU Panama City
9:10 am Fast Forward with APD: What’s New, What’s Now & What’s Next
Lorena Fulcher, Interim State Director, Agency for Persons with Disabilities
9:40 am Life Transitions & Disability Accommodations
Amber Wagner, Assistant Dean of Students & Director, Office of Accessibility Services
10:10 am Break
10:20 am CARD Center at FSU Tallahassee
Crystal Grey-Hewett, MSW, MIS, Autism Consultant, FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD)
10:50 am Our Past, Present & Future
JR Harding, College of Business faculty, UoC Faculty Advisor
11:10 am Navigating Higher Education & My Story
Elijah Toomey, UoC, FSU Student and Alumnus
11:40 am Lunch Break
Catering provided by: Coastside Cafe
AGENDA PM
12:00 pm The Power of Assistive Technology: How FAAST Can Help
Marquesas Blimes, Regional Assistive Technology Specialist, Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)
12:30 pm Testing
Brent Decker, Ph.D.
1:00 pm Be Counted, Be Heard, Be Prepared
Ron Sharpe, President & CEO The Arc of the Bay
1:30 pm Break
1:45 pm Transition
Joe La Belle, Director of Programs Impact, FND
2:15 pm Social Media, Technology & AI
Joe La Belle, Director of Programs Impact, FND
2:45 pm Inclusion & Accessibility in Bay County; Parks & Recreation (Panama City & Panama City Beach)
Clair Pease, Bay County Commissioner; Cheryl Joyner, Panama City Beach Parks & Recreation Director; Kesia Blenn, Ed.D., Panama City Parks, Culture & Recreation Coordinator
3:15 pm Closing Remarks
Irvin Clark, Ed.D., Associate Dean, Student & Strategic Initiatives, FSU Panama City
3:20 pm Networking & Vendors
LORENA FULCHER
FAST FORWARD WITH APD: WHAT’S NEW, WHAT’S NOW & WHAT’S NEXT
Lorena Fulcher currently serves as acting director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. She has dedicated nearly 25 years of her career to developing, implementing, and leading programs for individuals with disabilities. Throughout her career, she has shown a deep commitment to advancing programs and policies that support independence, community involvement, and quality of life.
In her prior role with the agency, she served as the assistant director of Operations and Programs where she focused on the design and implementation of public policy initiatives related to services for the disability community in Florida. In this role, Acting Director Fulcher was responsible for the oversight and development of communitybased efforts that emphasize person-centered services aligned with the needs of Floridians with disabilities. Earlier in her career, she worked in the exceptional student education field aiding individuals with disabilities in correctional settings.
Acting Director Fulcher is a graduate from Florida State University and is a lifelong resident of Tallahassee, Florida.
AMBER WAGNER
LIFE TRANSITIONS & DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
Amber M. Wagner is the director of the FSU Office of Accessibility Services and Assistant dean of the Department of Student Support and Transitions.
Amber has over 20 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities in multiple settings (i.e., K-12, higher education, and employment). She has a passion for supporting adults with disabilities holistically and wants to ensure transitions between settings are seamless to ensure lifelong success.
Amber is currently responsible for mitigating access barriers for FSU students with disabilities.
CRYSTAL GREY-HEWETT
CENTER FOR AUTISM AND RELATED DISABILITIES AT FSU
Crystal Grey-Hewett, MSW, MIS, is an autism consultant for the FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD).
She has been with CARD for almost 17 years. During that time, she has been privileged to speak at the state CARD Conference, has created and led several book studies and has been able to meet, learn from, and help many people on the spectrum.
She is constantly thinking about ways to help people be fully integrated into the community and be able to effectively advocate for their needs and rights. When not working, she can be found reading, cross-stitching, and listening to podcasts at walking parks.
JR HARDING
OUR PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
Dr. JR Harding is a passionate advocate and national leader in disability rights with over 40 years of impact. A two-time quadriplegic, he brings personal experience and professional expertise to everything he does—from shaping public policy to teaching future leaders.
A former two-time U.S. Presidential and seven-time Florida Gubernatorial appointee, Dr. Harding has helped drive major legislation and accessibility initiatives nationwide. He’s also the author of two five-star books, “Now What?” and “ADA Adventure.”
At FSU, he teaches award-winning courses on leadership, inclusion, and disability advocacy. Beyond the classroom, he serves on national boards like Delta’s Disability Advisory Board and the Florida Network on Disabilities, and advises FSU’s inclusive “University of Choice” initiative.
Dr. Harding continues to contribute to research, mentor students, and champion accessibility—always leading by example. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Erika.
ELIJAH TOOMEY
NAVIGATING HIGHER EDUCATION & MY STORY
Elijah Toomey suffered an ischemic stroke at the age of 17.
Inspiration for his education was driven by his personal struggles and health history. He finished his bachelor of science in neuroscience at FSU in 2023. Throughout his undergraduate studies he was, and continues to be, a student leader and passionate diversity advocate. Elijah carries with him his own personal experiences and carefully trained set of skills to every environment he is in.
Currently Elijah lives in Tallahassee where he continuously works and volunteers with members of the disability community. He is passionate in work with neurodivergent individuals and others who have also suffered spinal cord injuries.
Elijah will continue his graduate studies in the fall of 2025. He aspires to become a physician where he can use his experiences to continue to help and support other members of the disability community.
MARQUESAS BLIMES
THE POWER OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: HOW FAAST CAN HELP
Marquesas Blimes is the assistive technology specialist at the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST).
Marquesas manages and performs Northwest Regional Demonstration Center activities, including assistive technology device demonstrations, short-term device loans, training and information and assistance activities. She also manages the Regional Reuse Center in Tallahassee, FL and participates in public awareness activities.
Outside of FAAST, Marquesas enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years and three sons. Her favorite hobbies are gardening, indulging her sweet tooth and napping.
MARQUESAS BLIMES
BRENT DECKER
Dr. Brent Decker was born and raised in Kansas. He has lived in Panama City, Florida since 1988. He completed his bachelor of science degree in Psychology in 1985 and master of science degree in Psychology in 1988 from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Dr. Decker completed his MBA from Nova Southeastern University in 1991. He completed his Ph.D. in Psychology from the Fielding Institute in 1997.
He is licensed in the State of Florida as a psychologist and as a mental health counselor. Dr. Decker has been in private practice for 36 years. He specializes in psychological and psychoeducational evaluations. In addition to diagnosing psychiatric disorders, his specialties include autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit, learning disability and dyslexia.
Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife and cats, competitive bicycling, planting trees and collecting vintage toys and books.
RON SHARPE
BE COUNTED, BE HEARD, BE PREPARED
Ron Sharpe has held leadership positions for the past twenty years in the non-profit industry. He joined The Arc of the Bay in 2015 as the director of Communications & Development and was promoted as the president/CEO where he has served the past ten years. Prior to joining The Arc of the Bay, Ron served as the regional director of Development for United Way of NWFL overseeing their workplace campaigns and fund raising efforts in their eight-county area for eight years. Ron also served as the executive director for the Bay County YMCA for four years.
Ron has three sons, Zack, Addison and Spencer. He loves all college sports and losing at golf. His favorite teams are the Miami Hurricanes and New Orleans Saints.
Ron has a bachelor of science in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Southern Mississippi and an associate’s in Communications/Radio Broadcasting from Gulf Coast State College. He is an accomplished and active member and leader in the Bay County community.
JOE LA BELLE
TRANSITION / SOCIAL MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY & ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Joe La Belle is a pioneering figure at the intersection of AI and education, serving as the director of Programs Impact at Family Network on Disabilities. In Florida, he oversees four key programs and lends his expertise to OSEP-funded Technical Assistance centers, enhancing support for students with disabilities through technology. Notably, Joe has played a crucial role in advocating for AI’s role in education, engaging with the secretary of Education, presenting to the U.S. Department of Education staff, and sharing insights nationwide.
His efforts focus on how AI can personalize learning and increase accessibility, making him a respected voice in the field. In addition to his professional achievements, Joe is a celebrated speaker and coach, drawing on his personal experiences with ADHD and learning disabilities to inspire change and advocate for inclusive educational practices.
CLAIR PEASE
INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY IN BAY COUNTY
Clair Pease represents Bay County Board of County Commissioners, District 5, which encompasses all of Panama City Beach from the Hathaway Bridge to the county line and part of Shell Island.
Clair, a self-taught, self-made Bay County businesswoman has been living and working in our community since 1993. She’s found success in everything from fishing charters to commercial laundry services to general contracting. She was even the first female firefighter in LaGrange, Georgia back in the early 1980’s.
Today Clair is the CEO of Emerald View Resorts specializing in Condominium Management and Rentals.
Parallel to her passion for the construction and development industry, Clair is passionate about protecting and helping children and families in distress. She is a past board member and now honorary board member for the Children’s Home Society of Florida, Emerald Coast Division, the oldest, largest and most respected non-profit statewide provider of social services to children and families in Florida.
CHERYL JOYNER
PCB PARKS & RECREATION
Cheryl Joyner, Panama City Beach Parks & Recreation director, is a lifelong resident of Panama City Beach. She grew up at Camp Helen before it became a State Park. Her first job was at Gulf World Marine Park. She worked there for 16 years before pursuing her career with the city. She has been with the City of Panama City Beach Parks & Recreation Department since 2006. She started as a community center assistant and worked her way up to the director position in 2022.
Learn more about Panama City Beach Parks & Recreation at pcbfl.gov/departments/parks-recreation-department
KESIA BLENN
PANAMA CITY PARKS & RECREATION
Dr. Kesia Blenn is the Arts, Culture and Education coordinator for the City of Panama City and an FSU alumna. Beginning in 2009, Dr. Blenn taught art to adults with disabilities, developing innovative techniques for students with progressive disabilities to express themselves and become more independent through commissioned sales.
As a teacher with Bay District Schools beginning in 2012, Dr. Blenn taught art to children with intellectual, physical, visual and auditory disabilities for over 6 years. As a current leader within the City of Panama City Parks, Culture & Recreation department she serves as a bridge to develop partnerships, host events, guide programming and manage facilities.
Dr. Blenn also volunteers with the National Recreation and Parks Association to certify agencies meeting best-practice standards which include ADA compliance, accessibility and inclusion in parks agencies across the country.
Learn more about Panama City Parks, Culture & Recreation at panamacity.gov/687/Parks-Culture-and-Recreation
RESOURCE GUIDE
AARP Driver Safety & “We Need to Talk” Program: A free online seminar that will help you determine how to assess your loved ones’ driving skills and provide useful tools.
Sue Trueman , SueTruemanADSnwfl@gmail.com, aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/we-need-to-talk
Aflac: Supplemental insurance policies that cover areas that traditional health insurance doesn’t.
Dennis Florence , Dennis_Florence@us.aflac.com , aflac.com
Alcoholics Anonymous: A program designed to help people suffering with alcoholism.
Faith Miller , afaithmillera@gmail.com, aa.org
AMAL: A non-profit organization that brings the gift of hope and mobility to those in need by recycling gently used medical equipment.
Shayma Salman , Amalcanhelp@gmail.com, amalpc.org
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD/NWR): The agency supports individuals with disabilities and their families in living, learning and working within their communities by creating multiple pathways to possibilities.
Linda Donar , linda.donar@apdcares.org, apd.myflorida.com/region/northwest
Big Bend Area Health Education Centers (AHEC): Health education provider with aims to promote partnerships to improve community health, focusing on underserved, rural and minority populations.
Debra Forand , dforand@bigbendahec.org, bigbendahec.org
Bright Feats: Publication and platform for families and loved ones of those with special needs to find the resources they need to have optimal success with health improvements and independence. Michael Gonyo , Pensacola@brightfeats.com, brightfeats.com
Chemical Addictions Recovery Effort (CARE): A non-profit agency dedicated to providing prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services to reduce the stigma of addiction and assist individuals to change unhealthy behaviors.
Jennetta Richardson , jrichardson@care4000.com, care4000.com
CareerSource Gulf Coast: A provider of customized employment and training solutions that facilitate economic prosperity in partnership with education, businesses, local governments and chambers of commerce.
Katherine Motley , kmotley@careersourcegc.com, careersourcegc.com
Children’s Home Society of FL Early Steps Program: A program designed to help families with children who have developmental delays navigate challenges and celebrate milestones. Sue Trueman , SueTruemanADSnwfl@gmail.com, chsfl.org/services/for-parents/early-steps
Disability Resource Center: A provider of services designed to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve independence and engage with the community.
Kristi Warren , kwarren@drcpc.org, drcpc.org
Disability Rights Florida: The designated Protection and Advocacy system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. Dawn Moore , Dawnw@disabilityrightsflorida.org, disabilityrightsflorida.org
Early Childhood Autism Program at FSU Panama City (ECAP): The only non-profit ABA program in the Panhandle to provide in-home and in-clinic services for children diagnosed with (or presenting symptoms of) developmental delays or disabilities, including: autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome and cerebral palsy.
Kolton Sellers , ksellers@fsu.edu, pc.fsu.edu/ecap
Program designed to create inclusive workforces for people with disabilities and other underserved populations through education, empowerment and advocacy. , swarren@employu.org, employu.org
Encompass Health Rehab Hospital: An inpatient rehabilitation facility offering programs and services to help patients regain their independence after injuries or illnesses.
Debbie Messer , debra.messer@encompasshealth.com encompasshealth.com/locations/panama-city-rehab
Family Network on Disabilities (FND): Resource program for helping families of children with disabilities. Richard La Belle , richlabelle@fndusa.org, fndusa.org
Florida Panhandle Golf Therapy Alliance, Inc: A non-profit that provides golf therapy for PTSD Veterans and provides instruction to Special Olympics Golfers.
Melana Weems , mcweems@gmail.com, flpanhandlegolf.org
FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD): Provides individuals with autism or related disabilities, their families and professionals who work with them with free consultation, resources and educational support to build knowledge, infrastructure, sustainability and capacity within the community.
Crystal Grey-Hewett , crystal.grey-hewett@med.fsu.edu, fsucard.com
FSU Office of Accessibility Services: Creates an environment of success through the provision of academic, housing, dining and other accommodations at FSU.
Tallahasee: dsst.fsu.edu/oas Panama City: pc.fsu.edu/students/sas
FSU Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance & Engagement: Responsible for advancing and monitoring the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity, Sexual Misconduct and Americans with Disabilities Act policies and initiatives. hr.fsu.edu/sections/equal-opportunity-compliance-engagement
Future Pathways: Job readiness, independent living and social skills training for teens and adults with disabilities in the Tallahassee area. Amanda Lewis , amanda@futurepathwaysfl.com, futurepathwaysfl.com
GCSC Student Accessibility Resources: Aims to create a fair and inclusive learning environment through specific educational accommodations and support services guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act at Gulf Coast State College. gulfcoast.edu
Helping Hands Alliance, Inc: A non-profit organization committed to assisting families of disabled individuals with Pro Se Guardian Advocacy.
Joe O’Bryan , joe@hhadisability.org, hhadisability.org
Legal Services of North Florida: Advocates for improved quality of life through high-caliber civil legal assistance for those unable to otherwise access such services.
Amanda Campbell , acampbell@lsnf.org, lsnf.org
Panama City Walk-N-Roll: The Spina Bifida Association’s largest annual fundraiser, a free non-competitive one-mile route with games, activities and opportunities to learn and connect.
Tory Peek , jtpeek@fsu.edu, give.sbaa.org/event/2025-panama-city-wnryw/e683253
Special Olympics Bay County: A global sports movement for individuals with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competition in Olympic-type sports.
Damien McNeil , damienmcneil@sofl.org, specialolympicsflorida.org/northwest
SportsAbility Alliance: A non-profit organization that works to enrich lives through accessible, inclusive recreation and active leisure.
David Jones , davidjones@sportsability.org, sportsability.org
The Arc of the Bay: Provides supports and opportunities for people with disabilities to choose and participate in valued adult activities.
Davenie Deutsch , ddeutsch@bayarc.org, bayarc.org
The Florida Center for Early Childhood: Provider of therapeutic services, early education and healthy development for children in southwest Florida.
Jenn Werden , jennifer.werden@thefloridacenter.org, thefloridacenter.org
The Salvation Army Dometic Violence Program: Program that provides safe shelters, counseling and resources for survivors of domestic violence, empowering them to rebuild their lives free from abuse.
Patricia Vicars , patricia.vicars@uss.salvationarmy.org, salvationarmyusa.org/domestic-violence/
University of Choice Initiative at FSU: Program that provides students with disabilities the opportunities and resources they need to be successful at FSU and beyond.
JR Harding , JR@jrharding.com, nolecentral.dsa.fsu.edu/organization/uocfsu
OUR SPONSORS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!