Conference Schedule
National Leadership Training Conference 2025
October 29-31, 2025 • Austin, Texas
⚠️ Demonstration Schedule
This is not the actual conference schedule. It is being used for demonstration purposes only. This page will be updated with the proper schedule when it is ready, and this disclaimer will be removed.
Updated October 23, 2025 | Subject to Change
All times are in Central Time (CT)
Session Types
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Pre-Conference Community Convergence
Thursday, October 30, 2025
All sessions take place at TCC @ University of Texas unless otherwise noted.
Welcoming Remarks: HANDSflow Introduction and Conference Outcomes
Bobbie Beth Scoggins, Ed.D.
Kickoff Keynote: The American Deaf Community at a Crossroads: The Politics at Play
Brendan Stern, Ph.D.
Schools, Power, and Change: Advocating for State and Federal Deaf Education Policies
Jeff S. Bravin, M.S.
Break
Employment Rights Post-ADA: Why Are We Still Fighting?
Kelby N. Brick, Esq.
The Future of Emergency Alerts: Are Deaf People Safe?
Michael Baer, M.A.
Break
From Call-Outs to Connection: Building Space for Growth in Deaf Communities
DeAnna Swope, M.P.A.
Our Language, Our Data, Our Future
Marla Hatrak, Ph.D.
Reimagining Deaf Spaces: Digital, Physical, and Political
David Strom, M.S.
Break
Ending Bias Against Deaf Professionals: Policy Solutions
Tawny Holmes-Hlibok, Esq.
Reconnecting: Addressing Dissociation in the Deaf Community
MJ Bienvenu, Ph.D.
Deaf Identity and Intersectionality: One Size Doesn't Fit All
Joseph "JoJo" Lopez III, M.A.
Safeguarding ASL Integrity by Artificial Intelligence
Bobbie Beth Scoggins, Ed.D.
Break
Setting the Stage: Pre-Roundtable Discussions on NAD Affairs
Shane Feldman and Melissa Yingst, facilitated by Innivee Strategies
Friday, October 31, 2025
Roundtable Discussions: Deaf Education, Community Engagement, Employment, and Information & Communication Technology
Shane Feldman and Melissa Yingst, facilitated by Innivee Strategies
Power Lunch with Thought Leaders
Nyle DiMarco and Tim Rarus, sponsored by ZP Better Together
Civil Rights Tour
Hosted by University of Texas
Halloween Bash
Hosted by NAD & Greater Austin Foundation for the Deaf