Join SARRC this Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 for the Ignite Speaker Series. Sign up for all events or pick your interests! There is no cost to attend.

Through informative, one-hour live lectures on pertinent topics centered around autism spectrum disorder, the Ignite Speaker Series will not only educate autism providers and community members, but it will also support the reduction of health disparities for the vulnerable and underserved autism population and promote improvements in the delivery of autism services. The Ignite Speaker Series is a space where we can highlight innovative thoughts, ideas, and solutions toward creating a more inclusive community. Our desire is that this series will inspire and ignite change.

There is no cost to attend. Presentations will be hosted online using Zoom technology. A link will be sent to your email with details to join the event.

Meet the Speakers

Patricia Wright | "Cultural Humility: Being Human Together"

Friday, Nov.13 from 9-10 a.m.

• Patricia Wright, Ph.D., MPH, BCBA-D, Clinical Evaluator at Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE) and professor, takes us through the process of cultural humility, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in her lecture, “Cultural Humility: Being Human Together”. Cultural humility provides a framework for both institutional and individual reflection to guide changes that can build acceptance, bridge cultures, address disparities and improve outcomes. Dr. Wright’s commitment to ensuring all individuals with autism have access to effective services and support has guided her past 30 years of work, from her earliest responsibilities as a special educator, to state and national-level program management.

Torrie Dunlap | "The Real Problem with Disability is How We Think About It"

Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 from 9-10 a.m.

• Torrie Dunlap, CPLP, CEO of Kids Included Together and TEDx Speaker, encourages us to look at the world in a different way in “The Real Problem with Disability is How We Think About It”. She challenges us to view disabilities as a form of diversity, making our communities stronger and richer. Ms. Dunlap found her life’s purpose when she taught a theater class for children that included a boy with Down Syndrome. This is also how she came to know the work of Kids Included Together, a nonprofit where she started as a volunteer and today is the Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Dunlap is a nationally recognized leader in the inclusion movement, delivering keynotes and training on inclusion around the United States, Canada, and Europe. In 2013, she was selected as a Social Innovation Fellow at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. In October 2014, she delivered her TEDx talk, “Isn’t it a Pity, The Real Problem with Special Needs” and went on to become the Fieldstone Foundation’s 2016 Social Entrepreneurship Fellow.

Linda LeBlanc | "Providing Compassionate Care and Building Therapeutic Relationships"

Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 from 9-10 a.m.

• Linda LeBlanc, Ph.D., BCBA-D, President and Founder of LeBlanc Behavior Consulting, takes us through her approach to building collaborative therapeutic relationships and setting goals towards building effective connections in, “Providing compassionate Care and Building Therapeutic Relationships”. Dr. LeBlanc has extensive experience in academic, clinical, and research leadership roles and is committed to helping organizations develop their systems and enhance their social impact.

The Ignite Speaker Series is generously funded by BHHS Legacy Foundation

The Ignite Speaker series is funded as a result of generous financial support from BHHS Legacy Foundation which is an Arizona charitable organization whose philanthropic mission is to enhance the quality of life and health of those it serves.

Past Speakers

Randy Lewis | "Employing a Diverse Workforce"

Friday, Oct. 23 from 9-10 a.m.

• Randy Lewis—former Vice President of Walgreens, TEDx speaker, and advocate for hiring employees with disabilities—will be giving a live, virtual presentation centered around employing a diverse workforce. If you are an employer, in human resources, a business owner, advocate, parent, or provider this is an event you won’t want to miss.