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 annual African American Conference on Disabilities.
Disability Rights Arizona proudly hosted the 2024 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. And, we saw a record number of sponsors, vendors and attendees from Arizona and several states.
As a lead up to the June conference, a virtual seminar was offered in February in honor of Black History Month. These four sessions were a preview to the sessions offered at the in-person conference.
Please see the virtual sessions on the right-side of the page under “Menu”
See the Recap of the conference below
Important Dates
Check back soon!
Register for the 2025 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
- Disability Rights Arizona
- Disability Rights Arizona PAVA
- UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
- Arizona Complete Health
- Arizona Center for African American Resources
- Valley Toyota Dealers
- Mercy Care
- Dignity Health
- Arizona Center for African American Resources (AzCAAR)
- Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities
- Northern Arizona University Institute for Human Development
- Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
- Humana Healthy Horizons
- Arizona Citizen Clean Elections Commission
- Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration
- American Association of People with Disabilities (REV UP)
- Salt River Project (SRP)
- Raising Special Kids
- DIRECT Advocacy and Resource Center
- TD SYNNEX (No Table)
- Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC)
- Certified Placement Services
- Cynthia Macluskie Insurance Solutions
- Arizona Technology Access Program
- Arizona Autism United
- Family Involvement Center
- Sun Sounds of Arizona
- Arizona Talking Book Library
- Lexus Superstition Springs
- ASU Congressman Ed Pastor Center for Politics & Public Service
- Department of Economic Security Division of Developmental Disabilities
- Department of Economic Security Arizona Early Intervention Program
- Arizona State University
- Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council
- American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR)
- Brandeis University, The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy
- Community Program Advisor Contexture
- Hospice of the Valley
- First Place
- Black Therapist In Az
- Department of Economic Security Division of Aging and Adult Services
- Lihn Law Group
- Maricopa Association of Governments
- Mark’s The Spot Salon
- SAAVI
- Sickle Cell Foundation of Arizona
- Southwest Fair Housing Council
- STARS
Be a Sponsor, Vendor, or Exhibitor for the 2025 Conference
If you would like to be part of the 2025 conference, please email Renaldo Fowler, rfowler@azdisabilitylaw.org.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find more information about next year's conference?
Check back soon for information about 2025 or contact Renaldo Fowler at rfowler@disabilityrightsaz.org
The virtual 2024 pre-conference videos are available below:
- 2024 Session 1: An International prospective on Trauma: Common Threads from Phoenix to Nairobi
- 2024 Session 2: Patient Success: Accommodating Patients with Disabilities in Healthcare Settings and
Beyond - 2024 Session 3: Advancing Disability Rights in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Role of
International Exchange - 2024 Session 4: School Discipline – Know Your Rights