Cara N. Whalen Smith Advocates for Disability Inclusion at Prestigious Summit

Submitted by James.Sims on July 15, 2024 - 1:00 pm
Group discussion at the Advancing Accessibility & Disability Equity Summit at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago being led by a presenter.

Cara N. Whalen Smith Advocates for Disability Inclusion at Prestigious Summit

Group discussion at the Advancing Accessibility & Disability Equity Summit at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago being led by a presenter.

- Group discussion at the Advancing Accessibility & Disability Equity Summit at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago. -

Cara N. Whalen Smith, PT, DPT, MPH, CHES, Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Consultant, recently attended the exclusive Advancing Accessibility & Disability Equity Summit at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago. Sponsored by the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, this invitation-only event brought together a diverse group of leaders dedicated to advancing disability inclusion and accessibility.

The summit aimed to tackle critical issues such as barriers faced by students with disabilities in physical therapy education and other health professional training programs. Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations about technical standards, necessary accommodations, and strategies to ensure equal access for students with disabilities.

Reflecting on the event, Cara shared, "My big takeaway is that there is a lot of growing momentum to ensure equity and access to the health professions across the country and that this summit will result in actual change."

Cara is new to her role at GRC as a Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Consultant, and she brings a wealth of expertise and a deep passion for fostering inclusivity in health professions. Cara’s participation in this summit underscores her commitment to driving positive change.