Alexa Brill graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2013. She has worked for The Arc of Pennsylvania since 2014 as their Social Media Manager. Alexa currently serves as the President on the Board of Self Advocates United As 1 (SAU1). She has also served on the Smart Home Advisory Committee through the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), as well as the Wireless RERC Advisory Committee through the University of Pittsburgh. Most recently, she was a participant in the Assistive Technology Champions Program through Temple University. Alexa has Cerebral Palsy and is very passionate about advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, as well as helping to make sure they have access to the right technology. She wants to help as many people as she can to learn about and access the technology they need to be as independent as possible.

I grew up with autism and it was a really difficult journey at first. Over the years in school I was bullied and some teachers and professionals thought I wouldn't graduate either. However over the years, my mom worked with me to become a functioning human being. However later in life I discovered that I had a music ability which is a whole epic journey in itself. It's my story of how I went from being severely autistic to becoming a well-known musician that I'll be sharing about at this event.

OVR provides services to eligible individuals with disabilities, both directly and through a network of approved vendors. Services are provided on an individualized basis. The OVR counselor, during face-to-face interviews, assists customers in selecting their choice of vocational goals, services and service providers. An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is developed, outlining a vocational objective, services, providers and responsibilities.

Lisa Aquila has advocated for the independent living movement since the early 1990s. Lisa has worked as a personal care attendant for Home & Community based services from 2006 until 2013 until she acquired her disability. Lisa was an active volunteer for Disability Equality in Education since 2017. Lisa lobbied for the passage of Disability Inclusive Curriculum with her state representative Joseph Hohenstein. She co-founded the Coalition on Disability Inclusive Curriculum in 2021 to build awareness and support for Pennsylvania’s Disability Inclusive Curriculum Legislation made into law in July 2022. Since then, the Coalition has grown to include members from many other states. Lisa is the proud Board Vice Chair for Disability Equality in Education and serves as their outreach Liaison. Lisa has co- written some lessons on The Disability Equality In Education website and is an active member of Penn Tash Education Committee.

Jen Burnett is a 500HR RYT and has been teaching yoga in Central PA since 2019. Her intention in becoming a yoga teacher was to make yoga accessible to seniors and people with disabilities. She has established several chair yoga offerings in Lancaster and Harrisburg, and continues to teach Vinyasa yoga in several studios. Jen guides her classes with a focus on gentle movement, inquiry, and meditation. Her classes place an emphasis on breath, the link between the physical body, breath and the mind.

The Schreiber Modern Band, self-named the UnSinkables, is a group of musicians with deep Lancaster roots. Under the leadership of Dr. Nathan O. Sheffer and with the support of Jay Graver, Director of Educational Services at the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, this ensemble meets weekly to rehearse and prepare popular music selections to entertain family, friends, and the community. Formed in October 2024, the UnSinkables is an inclusive, learner-centered, and culturally responsive ensemble focused on transforming lives through music. Anyone who has a desire to make music can make music. All abilities are welcome in this ensemble! For more information or to join the group, contact Dr. Sheffer at [email protected].

Brooke Goodling serves as the Community Resilience Coordinator for Lancaster County Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division. Brooke is a Lancaster County native and graduated from Millersville University's Emergency Management program in May 2022. She has been in her role with Lancaster County DPS since August 2022 working with a variety of groups in Lancaster County and surrounding region. During her time, she has spread the word of emergency management and the importance of personal preparedness through; attending public events, speaking at community group meetings and working with school and childcare facilities.

Amy has been the advocate with The Arc Lancaster Lebanon for over 4 years focusing on individual, educational, and systems advocacy for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Autism and their families. She is passionate about ensuring the rights of individuals with disabilities are respected and that their voices are centered in any planning about their services and supports. Amy is a mom to 7 children, including 2 with autism. She has navigated early intervention, school-aged, and adult services as both a parent and a professional. Amy is a graduate of Millersville University and has lived in Lancaster County for over 30 years. In her free time she likes traveling with her family and spending time outdoors.

Hannah is a graduate of Millersville University’s Integrated Studies Program. She is a self-advocate who participates in The Arc Lancaster Lebanon’s Arc Academy as well as a member of their Board of Directors. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to concerts and movies, and participating in advocacy events focusing on issues important to the disability community.

Anne Kinderwater Carroll, Ed.D. has worked nearly 30 years as an educator in public education, higher education, and healthcare to build equity, community, and hope across Lancaster County. By prioritizing relationships alongside process, Anne coaches educational leaders enrolled at Millersville University to lean into the beneficial outcomes of moral leadership. Currently, Anne is a member of Community Health Team at Penn Medicine LG Health supporting families living with mental health and substance use concerns; in addition, she collaborates with a global network as a Hope-Centered Hope Ambassador.

Heather Rotella is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach committed to enhancing community health and well-being through training, education, and integrative wellness coaching. She began her career as a middle school health and science teacher, and now serves in dual roles at Penn Medicine LG Health, working with both the Community Health and Holistic Therapy Teams. Her work includes personalized strategies for achieving balance and lasting wellness, with a strong focus on stress reduction, self-care, and chronic disease management.

Amanda Gilbertson joins the Friendship Team with over 20 years of Marketing and Development experience from a variety of roles in both non-profit and healthcare. Passionate about the mission of people-first and community-focused leadership, Amanda has extensive experience building dynamic teams that have consistently delivered expectation-exceeding results. Her creative and out-of-the-box approach has produced nationally recognized awareness, engagement and growth in the digital, social media, print, and events spaces. She's continued her lifelong learning with a focus on highlighting meaningful and life enriching work to build lasting connections. Away from her career, Amanda is a wife and mother of four wonderful children. Her free time is joyously spent at their sporting events, music recitals, and countless other extracurriculars. She also enjoys the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with extended family.

Special Olympics Lancaster County has been offering free sports training and competition opportunities for over 40 years throughout Lancaster County for persons of all ages. Presently we offer 8 sports throughout the year. I have led our basketball program for 27 years enjoying our athletes' growth, athletically and personally.

At Vision for Equality/PA Family Network, I work on the InVEST grant with ODP and OVR to strengthen Family Engagement through the LifeCourse Framework to advance Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). I also serve as Chair of the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council and Co‑Chair of the Supporting Families Employment Innovation Workgroup. After an esteemed career in the United States Air Force, my path shifted when my daughter’s premature birth introduced me to the disability community. For 24 years, that lived experience has driven my commitment to helping individuals and families plan, problem‑solve, and navigate the system toward a life they envision.

The Arc Academy comprises of a group of self-advocates from a variety of unique backgrounds, circumstances, and interests.  Arc Academy participants identify that their voices deserve to be heard, not through any outside persons or organizations, but from them directly. These individuals are given opportunities to express their wants and needs to legislators, as well as the support and assistance that they may need to so. Additionally, Arc Academy participants identify and choose areas in which they would like to learn or grow in order to become more independent and better equipped to advocate for themselves in any area of their lives, as they see fit.

Tania is the Executive Director of Lancaster County Behavioral Health & Developmental Services. Her 27-year career in County government includes 15 years in Early Intervention, a little over 10 years in IDD and 2 years in her current role. Through her career she has participated in several statewide work groups and committees. She is currently one of the County representatives on ODP’s ISAC (Information Sharing and Advisory Committee) and the co-chair of the PACA SCO Committee. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Capital Area Behavioral Health Collaborative.
Tania holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Millersville University and a Master’s of Public Administration from Villanova University.
Tania currently resides in Mechanicsburg, PA with her husband, 3 dogs and 1 cat. Together they have raised 3 children ages 21, 19, and 18.

SophistiKated Creative Co.
Branding, Event, and Real Estate Photographer serving south central PA- and thrilled to participate in the Abilities Fair for individuals with disabilities!

At Smirthwaite we strive to enhance quality of life for children and young adults with additional needs in both school and home environments. Working closely with children, parents, carers and occupational therapists, we have developed a bespoke and comprehensive range of seating, standing, tables, desks, toileting, bathing, changing, showering and therapy products.

TeamPHCA is dedicated to empowering communities through innovation, inclusion, and impact—supporting individuals, strengthening families, and creating meaningful, lasting change.