More than 250 attendees gathered in Portland for two days of ideas, innovation, and actionable strategies to advance disability inclusion in the workplace.
On October 6–7, Relay Resources hosted the second DisabilityNext™ Summit, bringing together leaders, innovators, advocates, and changemakers from across the country to explore the future of disability inclusion in the workplace.
Through conversations on inclusive workplace practices, emerging technology, mental health, and more, attendees explored new approaches to building workplaces where disabled people and nondisabled people can thrive. Across every session, the focus was on turning ideas into action and equipping attendees with strategies they could bring back to their organizations.
DisabilityNext™ put disability inclusion into practice, with accessibility built into the Summit from the start. ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices, sensory bags, a dedicated sensory room, and real-time accessibility support were part of a broader commitment to creating a space where disabled people could participate fully on their own terms. The sense of inclusion and belonging attendees described throughout the event reflected a central principle of disability justice: accessibility is a shared responsibility, and inclusive environments are created through intentional design.
The response reflected the impact of those two days: 78% of survey respondents rated the Summit five out of five, and 81% said they would return.
We're grateful to the speakers, attendees, and partners who brought their perspectives, expertise, and commitment to advancing disability inclusion.
Special thanks to our sponsors for making DisabilityNext™ 2026 possible: Diamond Sponsor Salesforce; Silver Sponsors Kuni Foundation, Waymo, and The Standard; and Community Sponsors OnPoint Community Credit Union, MassMutual SpecialCare, Portco Packaging, Talos Consulting Group, Portland Clean Energy Benefits Fund, Oregon State University, Danner, and HD Supply.
Watch our recap video to revisit the conversations and moments that made DisabilityNext™ 2026 memorable, and check out the photo gallery from both days.
We look forward to continuing this work together!