NLTC 2025 Schedule & Presenters
October 29, 30, 31 & November 1, 2025
Note: See full schedule below or go to their website
We are excited to announce the 2025 National Leadership Training Conference (NLTC), hosted this fall by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). This premier event marks our ninth biennial gathering of passionate advocates representing NAD-affiliated state associations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. At its core, NLTC 2025 aims to equip registrants with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to lead, advocate, and engage effectively in their workplaces and communities.
NLTC 2025 presents a unique opportunity for participants to grow as leaders both professionally and personally. With a focus on growth, professional development, and empowerment, the conference will feature a diverse lineup of TED Signs-style presentations, interactive breakout sessions, engaging discussions, regional caucuses, and valuable networking opportunities—all designed to spark new ideas and foster collaboration.
Want to learn more? Click on the links in the sidebar for more information about the schedule, registration, sponsorships, and related conference details.
In-person registration is available exclusively for representatives of NAD-affiliated state associations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies, with space limited to 200 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Individual NAD membership is required for all in-person attendees. For those unable to attend in person, online registration is also available. With limited space, be sure to secure your spot early!
Join us from October 29 to November 2, 2025, in Austin, Texas—a city renowned for its vibrant culture, innovation, and welcoming spirit. Whether you’re looking to refine your leadership skills, exchange ideas, or build meaningful connections, NLTC 2025 promises to deliver invaluable experiences.
We look forward to welcoming you to NLTC 2025 and are excited to see the incredible impact we’ll create together!
Link: https://www.nad.org/events/2025-nltc/
NLTC 2025 Schedule & Presenters
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
- 6:00 PM–9:00 PM — Pre-Conference Community Convergence | Pinthouse Brewery on East Ben White Blvd.
Thursday, October 30, 2025
All sessions take place at TCC @ University of Texas unless otherwise noted.
- 9:00 AM–9:30 AM — Welcoming Remarks: HANDSflow Introduction and Conference Outcomes | Bobbie Beth Scoggins, Ed.D.
- 9:30–10:15 AM — Kickoff Keynote: The American Deaf Community at a Crossroads: The Politics at Play | Brendan Stern, Ph.D.
- 10:15–10:45 AM — Schools, Power, and Change: Advocating for State and Federal Deaf Education Policies | Jeff S. Bravin, M.S.
- 10:45 AM–11:00 AM — Break (15 minutes)
- 11:00 AM–11:30 AM — Employment Rights Post-ADA: Why Are We Still Fighting? | Kelby N. Brick, Esq.
- 11:30 AM–12:00 PM — The Future of Emergency Alerts: Are Deaf People Safe? | Michael Baer, M.A.
- 12:00 PM–12:45 PM — Break (45 minutes; on own in TCC cafeteria)
- 12:45 PM–1:15 PM — From Call-Outs to Connection: Building Space for Growth in Deaf Communities | DeAnna Swope, M.P.A.
- 1:15 PM–1:45 PM — Our Language, Our Data, Our Future | Marla Hatrak, Ph.D.
- 1:45 PM–2:15 PM — Reimagining Deaf Spaces: Digital, Physical, and Political | David Strom, M.S.
- 2:15 PM–2:30 PM — Break (15 minutes)
- 2:30 PM–3:00 PM — Ending Bias Against Deaf Professionals: Policy Solutions | Tawny Holmes-Hlibok, Esq.
- 3:00 PM–3:30 PM — Reconnecting: Addressing Dissociation in the Deaf Community | MJ Bienvenu, Ph.D.
- 3:30 PM–4:00 PM — Deaf Identity and Intersectionality: One Size Doesn’t Fit All | Joseph “JoJo” Lopez III, M.A.
- 4:00 PM–4:30 PM — Safeguarding ASL Integrity by Artificial Intelligence | Bobbie Beth Scoggins, Ed.D.
- 4:30 PM–7:00 PM — Break (Two hours and 30 minutes; dinner on own)
- 7:00 PM–9:30 PM — Setting the Stage: Pre-Roundtable Discussions on NAD Affairs | Shane Feldman and Melissa Yingst, facilitated by Innivee Strategies | Location TBA
Friday, October 31, 2025
- 8:00 AM–12:30 PM — Roundtable Discussions: Deaf Education, Medicare/Social Security, Community Engagement, Employment, and Information & Communication Technology | Shane Feldman and Melissa Yingst, facilitated by Innivee Strategies | TCC @ University of Texas.
- 12:30 PM–2:30 PM — Power Lunch with Thought Leaders | Nyle DiMarco and Tim Rarus, sponsored by ZP Better Together | TCC @ University of Texas.
- 2:30 PM–4:00 PM — Civil Rights Tour, hosted by University of Texas | LBJ Presidential Library @ the University of Texas.
- 6:00 PM–Midnight — ? Halloween Bash, hosted by NAD & Greater Austin Foundation for the Deaf | Advance registration required: https://deaf.foundation/bash
Saturday, November 1, 2025
All sessions take place at the Texas School for the Deaf unless otherwise noted.
- 9:00 AM–9:15 AM — Opening Remarks and HANDSflow Introduction | Bobbie Beth Scoggins, Ed.D.
- 9:15 AM–9:45 AM — Where’s the Money? Funding Opportunities for Deaf-Led Initiatives | Brian A. Cheslik, Ed.D.
- 9:45 AM–10:15 AM — Breaking Silos: How to Collaborate Instead of Compete for Resources | Chris Estrin, M.S.
- 10:15 AM–10:45 AM — Deaf Leadership in Action: From Local to National Impact | Alana Beal, M.Ed.
- 10:45 AM–11:00 AM — Break (15 minutes)
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Knowledge Transfer: Passing the Torch to Future Deaf Leaders | Moderator: Alana Beal, M.Ed.; Panelists: MJ Bienvenu, Ph.D., Claudia Giordano, M.A., and Marvin Miller, M.A.
- 12:00 PM–1:00 PM – Lunch hosted by Greater Austin Foundation for the Deaf
- 1:00 PM–2:15 PM — Competition Event: Are You Smarter Than Jr. NAD Members? | Emcee: Rynata Fonesca, M.S.
- 2:15 PM–2:45 PM — Presentation title and presenter TBA
- 2:45 PM–3:00 PM — Break (15 minutes)
- 3:00 PM–3:30 PM — Deafhood: Legacy, Healing, and the Path Forward | Marvin Miller, M.A.
- 3:30 PM–4:15 PM — Where Do We Go from Here? The Case for Persuasion | Brendan Stern, Ph.D.
- 4:15–4:30 PM — Conference Wrap-Up | Bobbie Beth Scoggins, Ed.D.
- 4:30 PM–6:00 PM — Break (One hour and 30 minutes; dinner on own)
- 6:00 PM–9:00 PM — NAD Night Out, hosted by NAD and Austin Deaf Club
Full details: https://www.nad.org/events/2025-nltc/