Join us for the sixth annual Mercy Summit, an event hosted by the Commission for Mercy Culture. The year's summit focuses on ways that institutions can serve people and communities with accessibility needs. What does it look like to structure our spaces with accessibility as an intention? What are the experiences of individuals with unseen challenges? We invite participants to join us in an examination of historical barriers, contemporary disparities and innovative strategies that promote belonging, equity and inclusion.

Plenary speakers: Carrie Miranda and Lilly Marino from Looking Upwards, a local organization committed to working with adults and families with accessibility needs.

In addition to the opening speakers, the summit offers a variety of breakout sessions and workshops that will provide opportunities to interact on a range of engaging topics.

Summit Schedule

See the full program

8:30-9 a.m. - Optional continental breakfast
9-9:10 a.m. - Invocation by Dr. Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley
9:10-9:20 a.m. - Welcome and goals of the summit by President Kelli Armstrong
9:20-10:20 a.m. - Keynote speakers: Carrie Miranda and Lilly Marino
10:30-11:20 a.m. - Mercy Session 1
11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. - Mercy Session 2
12:30-1:20 p.m. - Lunch/ICDP presentation and award ceremony
1:30-2:20 p.m. - Mercy Session 3
2:30-3 p.m. - Reflection and debrief, O’Hare 260