Funding Announcement - 2026 Speak Up and Speak Out Summit

The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) has approved a Direct Investment for a 2026 Speak Up and Speak Out Summit.

ICDD will invest $180,000 in The Arc of Illinois to plan and host the 2026 Speak Up and Speak Out Summit (SUSO). SUSO is the only event of its kind in Illinois because it is led by and for people with developmental disabilities, giving them leadership training and real opportunities to speak up and speak out directly to policymakers and decision makers from across the state.

Two Decades of Leadership Training in Illinois

The Arc of Illinois has a 20-year history of hosting the SUSO Summit. The planning that goes into each SUSO is guided by self-advocates. Each year, the team that organizes SUSO builds on the successes and the lessons learned from previous years. This planning strategy ensures innovative programming and that new voices will have an opportunity to participate.

The virtual summit in October 2024 (held completely online) and the hybrid summit in September 2025 (held in-person with an online option) drew hundreds of first-time participants and opened new doors for involvement across the state.

ICDD and The Arc of Illinois are committed to giving even more people an opportunity to attend SUSO for the first time. As part of the 2026 SUSO Direct Investment, ICDD and The Arc of Illinois will work together to continue to reach out to historically underserved areas and underrepresented communities in Illinois.  

2026 SUSO Summit Details Coming Soon

The 2026 SUSO Summit will be a hybrid event in the Fall of 2026. Specifics dates have not been selected yet. We do know that the summit will take place over three days in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. The Arc of Illinois will begin planning for the 2026 SUSO in early 2026. Check out the SUSO website to learn more.

If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to ICDDInfo@Illinois.gov.