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.
Thank you for supporting The Virtual African American Conference on Disabilities - February 5-17, 2026
Disability Rights Arizona (DRAZ) and their partners were proud to host the 2026 Virtual African American Conference on Disabilities (AACD). It is the premiere comprehensive disability conference in the United States that addresses the intersection between race and disabilities. Since launching our virtual format in 2021, we have welcomed attendees from across Arizona, nearly every U.S. state, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Africa, and Europe—each joining to learn, engage, and ask important questions on a wide range of disability issues. The 2026 conference was funded solely through private funding.
Support the 2027 Conference
The 2027 conference will be funded solely through private funding. If you would like to be part of the 2027 conference, email Jessie Barbosa jbarbosa@disabilityrightsaz.org or donate on our GiveButter page.
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 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, Encircle Families, The Sickle Cell Foundation of Arizona, TD SYNNEX, Superstition Springs Lexus, Mark’s The Spot Salon, The Arizona Commission for The Deaf and Hard of Hearing and The National Association of Direct Service Providers.
Thank you to our previous 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 2026 videos and slides are available below:
- Session 1: Protecting Disability Rights in an Ever-Changing Landscape
- Session 2: Ensuring Safety Among the Disability Rights Community in Police Interactions – A Collaborative Discussion with Stakeholders
- Session 3: Preparing for the 2026 General Election-Access to the Electoral Process in an Ever-Changing Landscape
- Session 4: Global Perspectives of Disability Inclusion
- Session 5: Rooted in the South: Expanding Disability Justice Through Community, Faith, Storytelling, and Rural Engagement
- Session 6: ALTCS: Tips and Strategies to Applying for Arizona Long-Term Care Services
- Session 7: The Resilient Roots Project: Teaching Emotional Regulation and Discipline with Dignity from Birth to 30ish
