More than 160 people attended Stony Brook University’s third annual Inclusion Done Right! conference, held at the Charles B. Wang Center on October 17. The event, organized by the School of Health Professions and the Vice President for Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Judith Brown Clarke, focused on promoting community-based inclusion for individuals with disabilities.
Over 70% of participants came from outside the university, highlighting growing interest in disability advocacy across various sectors. The conference was open to healthcare professionals, educators, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
Stacy Jaffee Gropack, dean of Stony Brook’s School of Health Professions, said: “The Inclusion Done Right! conference is a remarkable opportunity to bring together community partners, academics, and practitioners to share best practices and advance the critically important work of ensuring equity, access, and inclusion for all, especially those with disabilities. This event is a powerful expression of our commitment as a university and a School of Health Professions to lead not just in research and education, but in creating a more supportive and inclusive society for everyone.”
The agenda included keynote talks by Keri Gray—founder of the National Alliance of Melanin Disabled Advocates—and Nicole Zeitzer Johnson—co-founder and executive director of the FOXG1 Research Foundation. Gray encouraged attendees to reconsider how disability is discussed in medical and scientific contexts. Johnson spoke about her efforts to support rare disease research inspired by her daughter’s diagnosis.
Attendees received free copies of Johnson’s book Joyfully Josie. Breakout sessions covered topics such as technology use for inclusion and expanding vocational opportunities. At day’s end, participants worked together on a Collaborative Action Plan aimed at strengthening partnerships throughout Long Island.
Agnes McConlogue Ferro, clinical associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and conference co-chair, said: “The biggest takeaway for me every year is that we are building community. We are responding to the needs identified specifically by attendees — and that carries a lot of responsibility for our planning committee to ensure that it is ‘done right.’ I am so deeply grateful for and humbled by the support both here at Stony Brook University and from the community.”
McConlogue Ferro also noted ongoing progress: “We’re already seeing the results — attendees from year one presented their work in year three,” she said. “That’s what we consider ‘done right,’ and we intend to keep building on that momentum to support, advance, and create knowledgeable change for our communities and beyond.”