Keynote Speakers

Jonathan Mooney

Jonathan Mooney is a writer and activist experiencing dyslexia who did not learn to read until he was 12 years old. He is a graduate of Brown University’s class of 2000 and holds an honors degree in English Literature. Jonathan is founder and President of Project Eye-To-Eye, a mentoring and advocacy non-profit organization for students with learning differences.   With the publication of Learning Outside The Lines (now in its 14th printing) when he was 23, Jonathan has established himself as one of the foremost leaders in LD/ADHD, disabilities, and alternative education.

His second book, The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal, is a memoir, published by Henry Holt in June, 2007. Lauded as “a heartfelt rebuke to the rigid definitions of normality,” by Kirkus Review, the book is Jonathan’s journey across the United States, in a converted short school bus, as he seeks to celebrate cognitive and physical diversity through profiles of people who have been labeled abnormal their entire lives.

Vail Horton

Vail Blackwell Horton, Chief Executive Officer
Born without legs and improper bone growth in his arms, adopted at birth is the founder and ceo of Keen Healthcare Company and founder and chairman of The Incight Foundation. Vail has a true calling to change the world for the better, focusing on the elderly, disabled and injured. Keen Healthcare Companies provide world-class medical products focused on safety, mobility, and comfort. Keen has ranked within the top 50 companies on the 100 Portland’s Business Journal Fastest Growing Private Companies List for five consecutive years and ranked on the Inc. 5000 for four consecutive years. Vail serves to the Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, Advisory Committee for Worldwide Disability Policy and was recognized as one of the Oregon Healthcare Hero’s by Former Senator Gordon Smith. Vail serves as a board member for the Oregon Healthcare Association. Vail was named as one of the 2007 Ten Outstanding Young Americans by The United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees). Vail, as founder and chairman of Incight Foundation has raised over $4 million dollars to provide education, employment, networking and independence opportunities for people with disabilities all across our country. Vail is a public speaker and business consultant. Vail graduated from the University of Portland and was awarded the Contemporary Alumni Award in 07. Vail is beautifully married with their 4 children.

Nancy Thaler

Nancy Thaler has more than 40 years experience working in developmental disabilities. Prior to joining NASDDDS, Ms. Thaler worked for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and was responsible for the development of the HCBS 1915(c) waiver application and federal agency’s quality improvement strategy for the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver program. Ms. Thaler served as Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary for Mental Retardation from 1993 to 2003, administering a service system that included both institutions and community services. Ms. Thaler has assisted states in strategic planning, system transformation, program design, and facilitating stakeholder work groups. Ms. Thaler has a Bachelor of Arts from Misericordia College and a Master of Human Organization Science/Public Administration from Villanova University.

George Braddock

George Braddock, President of Creative Housing Solutions LLC, pioneered the implementation of person-centered planning principles to homes for people with disabilities. In addition to developing welcoming and inclusive multi-family housing opportunities for people with ID/DD, George’s work involves developing inclusive, authentic community opportunities and assists families by creating living arrangements that allow them to remain together and move beyond being roommates for life.

David Braddock

David Braddock, PhD, is Associate Vice President of the University of Colorado's four campus System and Executive Director of the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities. He holds the endowed Coleman-Turner Chair in Cognitive Disability and is Professor in Psychiatry at the University's School of Medicine. The Institute's mission is to catalyze and integrate advances in science, engineering and technology to promote the quality of life and independent living of people with cognitive disabilities. He has led the State of the States in Developmental Disabilities Project for over 30 years and was founding director of the University of Illinois Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.