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ADA Commemoration Event 2026: Everyday Access for All

ADA Commemoration Event 2026: Everyday Access for All

Everyday Access for All

Join advocates, community leaders, organizations, and residents from across Michigan for a virtual event commemorating the legacy and ongoing impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

More than three decades after the ADA became law, accessibility and inclusion remain essential to advancing civil rights and equitable opportunities for all. This event will explore how accessibility impacts everyday experiences. We will spotlight accessible voting, social media, and healthcare, and spark a conversation on real solutions to remove barriers and advance access across Michigan.   

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Event Information

Date: July 9, 2026 
Time: 9:00 a.m. to Noon 
Format: Virtual  

ASL interpreting services will be provided by Toi Bogan, April Davidson, and Mitch Holaly along with live CART captioning. If a different accommodation is required please e-mail Tiara McKenzie at MDCR-DRAC-Events@michigan.gov by no later than Thursday, July 2.

Session Information

  • Session Information

    Voting is a civil right for all Michigan citizens. Unfortunately, individuals with disabilities face additional barriers when it comes to participating in the democratic process. This session will dive into voting accessibility, barriers to participation, and more. 

    Speaker Information

    Eric Welsby  
    Detroit Disability Power 

  • Session Information

    People are turning to social media for news and information now more than ever before. This panel discussion will equip organizations, agencies, and individuals with best practices for creating accessible social media content that broadens reach and improves access. 

    Speaker Information

    David O’Keefe  
    U.S. Access Board 

    Kenya Lowe  
    Division of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing, Michigan Department of Civil Rights  

    Annika Clemens  
    Digital Consultant 

    Pat Love  
    Michigan Department of Education 

  • Session Information

    Barriers to healthcare access can pose life-threatening challenges to the people of Michigan. This dynamic discussion will emphasize the importance of the reasonable accommodation process for patients with disabilities, highlight the soft skills that strengthen patient-centered care grounded in dignity and respect, and examine the risks and benefits of using video remote interpreting as a primary tool for communication access. 

    Speaker Information 

    Emma Heisley 
    Division of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing, Michigan Department of Civil Rights 

    James Cech 
    Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs   

  • Session Information

    This session will highlight the ADA as the federal landmark civil rights law designed to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life and provide education on MDCR Enforcement services pertaining to disability discrimination.  

    Speaker Information

    Alannah Buford-Kammerman 
    Office of Legal Affairs, Michigan Department of Civil Rights 

Session InformationRegister Now

Speaker Information

  • The image is a headshot portrait of a young woman with a warm, inviting smile. Her hair is dark brown, thick, and styled in loose, bouncy curls that fall past her shoulders. Her complexion is fair with a warm undertone with hazel eyes. She is wearing professional attire. A classic black blazer is visible, open to reveal a crisp white top with a pleated neckline pearl necklace.

    Alannah M. Buford-Kamerman is the Director for the Office of Legal Affairs for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Alannah obtained her Bachelors degree with honors in anthropology and political science from Bard College at Simons Rock in 2012. She then graduated magna cumme laude from Michigan State University College of Law and passed the bar in 2016. Before becoming a civil servant, Alannah was a distinguished civil litigator in both state and federal courts. She joined the State of Michigan in April 2021 as a Staff Attorney at MDCR where she advised enforcement teams on cases as they progressed through investigation, conciliated resolutions between parties, and prosecuted cases in the administrative process on behalf of the Department.  

  • James is a white male with short black hair and a trimmed black beard. He is wearing a black vest over a plaid patterned dress shirt. He is photographed in front of an outdoor garden with leafy plants and a tree.

    James Cech began his career as a freelance certified ASL/English interpreter, and upon achieving his master interpreter certification became a full-time staff interpreter for the University of Michigan Health system. A trainer and presenter, he works nationally to promote skill building and interpreter ethics, and specializes in medical, mental health, and DeafBlind interpreting. He has also held various volunteer leadership positions within the Michigan Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf including: chair of the Professional Development Committee, Vice President, and President, and he was appointed by Governor Whitmer to the State of Michigan Board of Interpreters. He is currently a resource developer for the State Licensing Consultative Section of the Health Facility Licensing, Permits and Support Division within the Bureau of Community and Health Systems. 

  • Annika Clemens is a biracial Black woman with a light skin tone and long, curly dark brown hair. She is wearing a blue blazer and a black and white polka-dot blouse as she smiles at the camera with her arms crossed. She stands in front of a plain grey background.

    As a seasoned communications professional with more than 9 years of experience in public relations, digital strategy, and DEI leadership, Annika Clemens is a trusted expert in driving social change through effective storytelling. With a background in integrative public relations, an expertise in digital strategy and a passion for civil rights and social justice, Annika has developed a unique ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. 

    A digital native, Annika’s entire career has centered around helping organizations adapt to today’s digital-first communications landscape. Using her expertise in digital accessibility, Annika ensures an organization's content and communications is inclusive to all audiences, following the latest best practices in accessible design, social media and website development. Annika has a proven track record of amplifying social justice initiatives and promoting equity through accessible communications.  

    As a, Annika has worked with clients to grow their digital presence and develop effective content strategies while meeting current accessibility standards. Her experience in public relations, marketing, and content creation has been applied at organizations involved in the protection of civil rights, increasing food access for Detroiters, voter rights and protections, Fortune 500 companies, as well as tech, automotive, utility and healthcare giants.  

    Annika is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and expertise with others in order to create a digital landscape that is inclusive of all abilities. With a strong foundation in digital accessibility and a commitment to promoting inclusive practices, Annika is a sought-after thought-leader and consultant for those finding themselves at the intersection of digital media and social justice.  

  • Emma Heisey is a white woman with light skin and shoulder-length curly brown hair. She is wearing a brown short-sleeve shirt and is photographed in front of a plain grey-blue background.

    I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Gallaudet University, the world’s only university dedicated to deaf and hard of hearing students, and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Texas Tech University Health Science Center. I am currently working toward full licensure as an LPC in Michigan. 
    I serve as a DDBHH liaison at MDCR–DODDBHH, where my role focuses on strengthening connections between the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing community and the state agencies and programs that serve them, including schools, hospitals, and other service systems. 
     
    My professional background includes work in education, mental health, and program coordination. I have experience supporting individuals across the DDBHH community, including youth and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I identify as a Deaf individual and am a fluent ASL user. I also bring both lived and professional experience in healthcare settings for this event. 

  • Pat Love-Sypho is a Blind and Low Vision (BL), Education Consultant with the Michigan Department of Education – Resource for Blind Low Vision (MDE RBLV). She began her career in 1983 as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and brings over 40 years of experience supporting students, families, and professionals in the field of blindness and low vision. 

    In her current role, Pat coordinates initiatives in assistive technology, social skills, and health education. She has extensive experience teaching components of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), including compensatory skills, independent living skills, career education, assistive technology, and social interaction.  

    Since beginning her career, she has supported students, families, and professionals through instruction, program development, and statewide initiatives. 

    Pat has played a key role in developing statewide projects focused on assistive technology, braille literacy, and independent living skills, providing instruction, resources, and professional development across Michigan. She has also designed curricula and instructional materials for students who are blind and have low vision. 

    She is a co-author of several key resources, including the Michigan Assistive Technology Guidelines and Apps List, the Michigan Independent Living Skills Guide, and the Michigan Independent Living Skills Checklist. Pat has presented extensively at state and national conferences, including Getting in Touch with Literacy (GITWL), MAER, NAER, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, and ATIA Assistive Technology conference. 

    Her collaborative work includes partnerships with school districts and organizations such as the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP), the National Federation of the Blind, and the Michigan Braille and Talking Book Library. She currently serves on the Blind Information Technology and Multicultural Affairs committees and is committed to advancing access, literacy, and independence for individuals who are blind or have low vision. 

  • Kenya Lowe: A headshot-style image of a black woman with long, dark wavy hair wearing a dark green top and burgundy lipstick. She is facing the camera with a slight smile and neutral background lighting.

    Kenya Lowe is the Director of Michigan’s Division on Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (DODDBHH), where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen access, inclusion, and community connection for Michigan’s DDBHH residents. With a career that spans telecommunications access, outreach, higher education, and advocacy, Kenya brings a strong focus on removing barriers and expanding opportunity. Her work is informed by lived experience, grassroots leadership, and a passion for amplifying underrepresented voices. 
     
    Before joining DODDBHH, Kenya managed outreach initiatives for the Michigan Relay Center and supported access programming at AT&T, where she worked to improve telecommunications access for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing people. She has also taught at the college level and continues to advocate as a parent, educator, and community builder. Kenya is committed to honoring the legacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act while helping design a future where inclusion is not an afterthought- but the foundation. 

  • David O’Keefe is a white male with a light skin tone, short brown hair, and a mustache. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt, and blue tie. He is photographed in front of a plain grey background.

    David O’Keefe serves as the Communications Specialist in the Office of Executive Director at the U.S. Access Board. His work involves planning and coordinating logistics for virtual and in-person public events, as well as managing the Board’s social media content and engagement. He previously served as a Team Leader for FEMA Corps (AmeriCorps NCCC) and as the Cultural Affairs Assistant for the State University of New York (SUNY) at Orange County Community College. O’Keefe holds an M.A. in Technical and Professional Writing from Middle Georgia State University and a B.A. in Digital Media Production from SUNY New Paltz. 

  • Eric Welsby is a white male with short greying dark brown hair, a beard, and rectangular glasses. He is wearing a black button-up shirt with a colorful tropical floral pattern. He is photographed in an indoor setting with natural light and greenery.

    Eric Welsby has spent over two decades working at the intersection of disability rights, electoral access, and community power. As Advocacy Director at Detroit Disability Power, he oversees policy and government relations and directs the nation's largest accessible polling place audit program. He also serves as Founding Advocacy Director of Disability Action, DDP's sister 501(c)(4) organization, and is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Welsby Consulting, specializing in campaign finance compliance and strategy. 

    Eric's career spans political campaigns, nonprofit leadership, and education. He has led labor-focused electoral campaigns for the Michigan AFL-CIO, managed community empowerment programs at Focus:HOPE, and taught political science and philosophy at Saginaw Valley State University and Delta College. 

    Eric serves on the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, the Workforce Development Institute’s Access for All Accessibility Committee and the Michigan AFL-CIO's Disability Rights Working Group, and advises the Michigan Bureau of Elections on accessible voting systems and next-generation voting equipment procurement. 

    He holds a B.S. from Central Michigan University and has completed certificates in Disability Inclusion & Accessible Design, Labor Leadership, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. 

    An Eagle Scout, Eric volunteers with the Michigan Crossroads Council of Scouting America, and with SciAccess and AstroAccess — opening space exploration and STEM to disabled scientists and adventurers worldwide. 

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Key Partners

Everyday Access for All would not be possible without the collaboration and leadership of organizations working daily to advance accessibility in Michigan. Thank you to our key partners: