The Disability-Forward Housing Futures Summit, a first-of-its-kind gathering hosted by The Kelsey is designed as a single-room experience that takes participants on a linear journey, guiding attendees through a coherent learning and visionary experience, rather than a series of isolated panels.
The day begins by examining “How did we get here?” Then, it moves through the themes of accessible, affordable, and inclusive housing, unpacking what each of these terms means. The summit concludes with “What’s possible,” affirming that we can achieve this, and here’s what the future can look like.
The summit will bring together thought leaders, community advocates, designers, and housing professionals committed to building a future where disabled people and all people can access quality housing and community. Join us for an exciting day of conversation and collaboration.
We’re proud to share the full agenda! To learn more about the summit, click here.
Disability-Forward Housing Futures Summit Agenda
Attendee Check In & Continental Breakfast:
8:00 – 8:50 AM
Optional Small Group Tour of The Kelsey Civic Center
8:15 – 8:45 AM
How Did We Get Here?
9:00 – 9:05 AM
Opening session that grounds participants in the historical and systemic context of disability and housing. – Micaela Connery CEO & Co-Founder of The Kelsey
Welcome and Introduction to Summit from Keah Brown, Emcee
Accessible
9:05 – 10:15 AM
Explores practical, cross-disability design strategies, and policy innovations to reimagine what truly accessible, inclusive, and creatively designed housing can look like.
Sessions:
Designing for Inclusion: Cross-Disability Housing Futures
Panelists: Anne Riggs (David Baker Architects), Sarah Vaccaro (Architects FORA), Jeffrey Mansfield (MASS Design) | Moderator: Erick Mikiten
Inclusive Motion: Activating Body and Mind – Octavia Hingle (AXIS Dance Company)
Dreaming Boldly: Inclusive Communities Through Art and Design – William Scott and Julie Plasencia (Creative Growth)
Disability-Forward YIMBY (Yes, In My Back Yard) – Ed Mendoza (California YIMBY)
10:15 – 10:30 AM – Break & Learning Lounges
Affordable
10:30 – 12:15 PM
Introduces foundational concepts of affordable housing finance, explores how funders and municipal leaders are integrating disability into housing and justice frameworks, and highlights opportunities, challenges, and creative pathways toward funding inclusive, disability-forward housing solutions.
Sessions:
Municipal Leaders Panel – Kristi Malone (Teton County, WY Housing Department ), Kunal Modi (City of San Francisco Health and Human Services Office), Dr. Meghan Venable-Thomas (City of Birmingham, AL Community Development Office) | Moderator: Cecile Chalifour (Chase Bank)
Housing Finance for Disability-Forward Housers
Disability Justice and Housing Justice: Funder Perspectives – Nikki Brown Booker (Borealis Philanthropy)
12:15 – 1:00 PM – Lunch & Learning Lounges
12:30 – 1:00 PM – Optional Small Group Tour of The Kelsey Civic Center
Inclusive
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Centers resident voices, explores how formal and informal supports—especially Medicaid-funded services—can be integrated into housing, and uplifts visionary perspectives.
Sessions:
Anchored in Inclusion – Molly Wiesman (The Kelsey)
The Cost of Community Living – Alice Wong (Author)
Supportive Communities – The Formal and Informal – Jessica Lehman (Community Organizer), Brittanie Hernandez-Wilson (Hand in Hand: the Domestic Employers Network), Kelechi Ubozoh (Author) | Moderator: Allie Cannington (The Kelsey)
Strong Verses in the Time Of Political Upheaval – Lateef McLeod (Poet)
Home and Belonging: Resident Perspectives on Disability-Forward Housing – The Kelsey Residents: Daniel, Alex, Jonta, Rudy, Odjahnae | Moderator: Esther Abraham (The Kelsey)
3:00 – 3:15 PM – Break & Learning Lounges
What’s Possible
3:15 – 5:15 PM
Closes the summit by focusing on actionable strategies, examples from the field, and a forward-looking policy framework to show how we can build the disability-forward housing future envisioned throughout the day.
Sessions:
Leading Towards an Inclusive Housing Future – Rebecca Cokley (Ford Foundation) and Abby Yim (Integrated Community Services)
What We’ve Learned: Advancing a Disability-Forward Housing Future – Housers from the field | Moderator: Eli Gelardin (City of San Francisco’s Mayor’s Office on Disability and Accessibility)
Policy Framework for the Disability-Forward Future – Allie Cannington (The Kelsey)
Collective Commitments – Keah Brown (Author and MC of Summit)
The Work Ahead – Allie Cannington and Micaela Connery (The Kelsey)
5:15 PM – Optional Small Group Tour of The Kelsey Civic Center
5:15 – 6:00 PM – Networking Reception
