This year’s conference has added a career fair for students with disabilities. Minnesota is the kick-off site for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) annual National Mentoring Day. October 4th will begin with a nationally broadcast, live news conference and the career fair.

Nationally recognized speakers for the conference include:  

• The Honorable Bob Dole

• Stedman Graham – New York Times best-selling author of You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success

• Emmanuel Yeboah – 2005 recipient of ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage Award and the 2005 recipient of the Nike Casey Martin Award

• John D. Kemp – 2006 recipient of the Henry B. Betts Award, widely regarded as America's highest honor for disability leadership and service; Principal at the law firm of Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C.

• John H. Hager – Assistant Secretary, U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

• Dr. W. Roy Grizzard – Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Dept of Labor

• Dr. Richard G. Luecking – President, TransCen

• Andy Imparato – President, American Association of People with Disabilities

The conference agenda will highlight some of the exceptional work that BLN's, corporations and organizations are doing in this area plus addressing many real issues that businesses are facing.