The AACD is the premier comprehensive disability conference in the United States that addresses the intersection between race and disability. The conference examines avenues for self-advocacy to ensure the effective provision of services, resources, and enforcement of civil rights in the African American and disability communities.
The AACD is the premier comprehensive disability conference in the United States that addresses the intersection between race and disability. The conference examines avenues for self-advocacy to ensure the effective provision of services, resources, and enforcement of civil rights in the African American and disability communities.
Disability Rights Arizona hosted the 14th annual African American Conference on Disabilities on June 13, 2025.
Disability Rights Arizona was proud to host the 2025 African American Conference on Disabilities at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix. The conference’s disability related workshops covered a wide-range of topics that addressed the intersection between race and disabilities.
As a lead up to the June conference, a virtual seminar was held in February in honor of Black History Month. These four sessions are a preview to the June conference. See the videos at the bottom of the page.
Be a Sponsor, Vendor, or Exhibitor for the 2026 Conference
If you would like to be part of the 2026 conference, email Renaldo Fowler, rfowler@disabilityrightsazorg.
Important Dates
- 2026 Conference – TBD
- In Person Conference – June 13, 2025
- Virtual Conference – February 19-20, 2025 (see videos below)
See the Recap of the 2024 conference.
About the Conference
The African American Conference on Disabilities (AACD), co-founded by Renaldo Fowler and David Carey, is the only comprehensive conference that addresses disability rights issues at the intersection of race and disability. The conference examines avenues for self-advocacy to ensure access to necessary services and enforcement of civil rights in the African American and disability communities.
The AACD is designed to provide education and knowledge to be proactive, not reactive and for the African-American community to obtain information so it will empower them and the community on how to better serve the community and themselves. Additionally, it is a platform for policymakers and providers to come and hear directly from the African American community.
The conference continues to feature outstanding content delivered by leading disability experts, lawyers, advocates, academics and others from across the country. One of the highlights of this conference is the sharing of lived experiences and how disability and race intersect in all areas of our lives. In the past several years, over 20,000 attendees have come from all across Arizona, almost every U.S. state, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Africa, and Europe to learn and ask questions on a wide range of disability issues.
Thank you to our partners, the Arizona Center for African American Resources (AzCAAR) and the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Network (ADDN) for their continued support: University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Northern Arizona University Institute for Human Development, and the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council.
Thank you to our sponsors
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
- Arizona Complete Health
- Banner University Family Care
- Arizona Center for African American Resources
- Sickle Cell Foundation of Arizona
- Division of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Economic Security
- Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, University of Arizona
- Institute for Human Development, Northern Arizona University
- Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
- Humana Healthy Horizons
- TD SYNNEX
- Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration
- Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family
- Foundation for Senior Living (FSL)
- Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
- Encircle Families formerly Raising Special Kids
- Hospice of the Valley
- Salt River Project
- Mark’s The Spot Salon
- The Arc of Arizona
- All Voting is Local – Arizona
- Phoenix Professional Practice Associates, Buffy T. Wooten, Ph.D.
- DiverseAbility Incorporated
- Maricopa County Elections
- Equal Opportunity Department, City of Phoenix
- Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council
- Mayo Clinic Health Equity Partnership of Arizona
- Superstition Springs Lexus
- Arizona Bar Foundation
- Everlasting Community Services
- New Disabled South
- Black Disability Institute
- Southwest Human Development-Easterseals
- Ability360
- Arizona Disability Advocacy Coalition
- SARRC Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
- Mercy Care
- Barrow Neurological Institute
- Arizona Mentor
- Arizona Commission of African American Affairs
- Citizens Clean Elections Commission
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital
- Arion Care
- Beacon Group
- Adelante Healthcare
- Pfizer
- Semperfi Heating Cooling and Plumbing
- College of Health Solutions ASU
- Disability Rights Arizona
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find more information about the conference?
For more information about the AACD, contact Renaldo Fowler at rfowler@disabilityrightsaz.org
The virtual 2025 pre-conference videos are available below:
- 2025 Session 1: Intersections Between Conflict, Environmental Factors and Disability
- 2025 Session 2: Beyond the Study African American Disability Experiences Leading Change in Research
- 2025 Session 3: International Perspectives Advancing Disability Rights and Inclusion in Africa
- 2025 Session 4: Police Interactions and the Disability Community: An Examination on Past Problems and Discussion on Moving Towards a Collaborative and Just System