Inclusion Connection

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TOMMORROW!!!!

Join us June 19/20 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to help celebrate inclusion and create community.
Supporting One, Supporting All
Register Now: https://www.inclusionconnection.org/

Featured speakers:

Matt Hayes:

Matt began using AAC at age five through training at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. At age six he wrote his first poem, “Trapped in Silence”. He has been an active poet and writer. Matt is the subject of the Emmy winning PBS documentary My Voice: One Man’s Journey to Overcome the Silence of Autism. As part of his advocacy work, he has co-founded the non-profit Typing to Speak, spoken at Yale University, presented his poetry professionally, been interviewed on radio and podcasts, presented at many conferences, and is an Autism National Committee board member. He is currently working on methods to help communicators learn how to use AAC with greater ease. Matt is working on his speaking voice and calls himself an emerging speaker.

Jen Christianson, She/Her/Hers

Jen graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing & Public Communications degrees. She works at UnityPoint Health (UPH) in the Waterloo region as a Family Planning Nurse at Allen Women’s Health and as Clinic Nurse at UPH’s inaugural LGBTQ Clinic in Cedar Falls.

Jen has been providing Safe Zones Trainings: Inclusivity trainings creating safe spaces in health care for LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals for over six years.

She and husband Kyle have spoken to numerous groups interested in advancing DEI: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in healthcare, businesses, schools, faith and community settings.

In 2019 Jennifer attended the Fenway Health Institute Conference in Boston entitled, “Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health.” The Fenway Health Institute is the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education and Research Center providing educational programs, resources and consultation to health care organizations nationally and around the world.

In March of 2023, Jennifer participated in Harvard Medical School’s Advancing Excellence in Sexual and Gender Minority Health Education - Train the Trainer course.

Jennifer and Kyle are proud parents of Ben and Lars.

Promoting Inclusion For All At Inclusion Connection, our mission is simple - promoting inclusive communities that live, learn, work and play together.

Join us June 19/20 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to help celebrate inclusion and create community.
Supporting One, Supporting All
Register Now: https://www.inclusionconnection.org/

Today's Featured Speaker:

Nate, Brady, Tara:
Together, Nate, Brady, and Tara bring heart and purpose to every space they enter. With a shared passion for connection, inclusion, and personal growth, this dynamic trio delivers powerful messages that inspire communities to lead with empathy and live with intention.
Nate Trainor is an advocate for the acceptance of people with disabilities. He, although non-verbal, is a powerful “voice” for inclusion. Nate has experienced firsthand what rejection, exclusion and assumed incompetence feels like. He volunteers his time to help others understand that everyone has many abilities, communicates and belongs. He is currently living in a duplex and has two assistants that support him to live the life that he chooses. He is an author and provides many presentations throughout the country, advocating for people with disabilities. Nate is a passionate advocate for those without a “voice” or means to communicate. He lives in Waverly, Iowa.
Brady Mikkelson lights up every room with his warmth, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom. His lived experience and message of resilience remind audiences that the greatest strength comes from embracing who you are.
Tara Soesbe is an educator, author, and speaker with Till360, known for sparking meaningful conversations that drive real change. She champions well-being, leadership, and human connection at every level of education