I am thrilled to announce that I was the keynote speaker and closing presenter at the 3rd Annual SIP Virtual Inclusion Conference, themed “Driving Inclusion Forward: Shifting Beliefs into Action.” Hosted by the Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP) Project, this impactful event took place on May 9th and 10th, 2024.

This year’s conference fulfilled its promise to be an interactive and enlightening experience, that embarked on a collective journey to transform our inclusive visions into tangible, practical actions fostering a genuine sense of community and belonging. All invited educators, staff, families, and students who joined this virtual road trip, explored innovative strategies and insights from the esteemed presenters at the forefront of driving inclusion forward.

Funded by the California Department of Education, the conference was available at no cost to all participants. This type of accessibility ensures that organizations, educators, families, and students can all benefit from the wealth of knowledge and resources that are shared throughout this annual event.

Speaking Publicly About My Disability

As the final keynote presenter, I was honored and ready to share my “Heart of Inclusion” speech during the closing session. My journey as an international TEDx motivational speaker, disability speaker advocate, DEI & accessibility corporate inclusion champion, podcast host of “Pushing Forward with Alycia,” and founder/CEO of The Alycia Anderson Company, LLC, has equipped me with a profound understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in both the workplace and educational settings through my entire life’s lived experiences.

I hold a European Master’s Degree in Adapted Physical Education, emphasizing the benefits, practices, and principles of inclusion. My personal experiences as a tennis player, cyclist, identical twin, and lifelong wheelchair user have shaped my advocacy and deepened my commitment to promoting inclusive environments. Through my work, I aim to help companies and organizations recognize the true benefits of building diverse, inclusive, and accessible spaces, highlighting how our unique qualities contribute to our collective strengths.

Working Together for Disability Inclusion

Partnering with the SIP Project who is dedicated to supporting Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and districts in their pursuit of creating inclusive organizations by hosting a variety of statewide events, from in-person training and workshops to webinars helped amplify both my message and brought the lived real world success story to life for SIP’s targeted audience. 

I felt particularly empowered and proud to help ensure that everyone in California has access to the tools and knowledge needed to advance inclusion as the disability keynote speaker at this year’s conference and to be among the visionary minds providing tools and insights to ignite change and help fortify environments where inclusivity is not just an ideal but a lived reality. 

Together, we will turn our beliefs into actions and set our compass toward a future where inclusion drives impactful change.

I was incredibly thrilled to work with the SIP team and their remarkable organization, which continues on daily to make significant strides in disability inclusion within schools. Their dedication and hard work are truly inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this vital mission and look forward to future collaborations to continue on this journey together in transforming our inclusive visions into actions and creating a brighter, more inclusive future for all.