Gathering Agenda

Meredith is a social worker who initially focused on domestic violence and sexual assault. Given her own disabilities, she has gone on to become a passionate advocate for the disability community. She is Program Coordinator at Advocating Change Together (ACT) and manages Little.NotLess, a nonprofit organization that she founded. She educates and trains individuals with disabilities on self-advocacy, leadership, and the importance of inclusion. She aims to create an accessible community where everyone can work, play, and learn together without feeling "different." “Being person-centered should be common sense. We should all focus on the person first and following their lead toward what they want or need. No one else would know better anyways!” she says.

Lori has supported individuals and families for 40 years. She began in occupational therapy and then specialized in home and community-based services. Lori co-founded a provider agency and led it for 15 years. She received international training in nine planning methods, becoming a Person-centered Thinking Training, Charting the LifeCourse Coach/National Consultant, and a Trauma-informed Supports Trainer. Personal and professional life intersected when her great nephew was diagnosed with multiple disabilities 17 years ago.

Dupree Edwards is a musician and self-advocate dedicated to promoting inclusion and raising awareness about disabilities. As a rapper, he uses his gospel rap songs to share personal experiences and advocate for others in the disability community. In addition to his music, Edwards serves as a co-trainer at the University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration, focusing on systems change projects related to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and works to improve wages for personal care assistants. Through his multifaceted approach, he empowers individuals with disabilities and fosters a more inclusive society.

Rachel Freeman is the Director of State Initiatives at the Institute on Community Integration in the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Freeman has been actively involved in statewide research and technical assistance systems for positive behavior support (PBS), person-centered planning, and other evidence-based practices over 25 years. Her research interests include evaluation design and implementation, the occurrence of self-injurious behavior in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and nonsuicidal self-injury, and multi-tiered systems of support. She is an associate editor for the Journal of Child and Family Studies and serves as a Board of Director for Arc Minnesota.