Upcoming Community Events

March is a month of awareness! Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month—a time to advocate for inclusion, accessibility, and support for people in these communities.

💙 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is a reminder of the importance of inclusion, empowerment, and opportunities for people with disabilities to live full, meaningful lives. 💚 Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month highlights the strength and resilience of those living with CP while advocating for better resources, accessibility, and understanding. 🧠 TBI Awareness Month sheds light on the impact of traumatic brain injuries, the journey of recovery, and the need for continued research and support.

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As we honor Women's History Month this March, we embrace this year's theme, "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations," which celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership, shaping the minds and futures of all generations.

Our organization stands as a testament to this legacy. Hope was founded by a visionary woman, is currently led by a female Executive Director, has a female Board President, and is supported by a workforce where the majority of Direct Support Professionals are women. We are grateful to every woman who has shaped history, driven social change, and championed the disability rights movement, and we are committed to supporting a society where women's contributions are recognized and celebrated.

Throughout history, countless women have championed social change and advanced the disability rights movement. Their advocacy has transformed communities and inspired future generations. Click each woman's photo below to read about her life and the significance of her activism. While the women featured are far from the comprehensive list of those who have made social change, they are a testament to the power of advocacy and can provide inspiration for future activism.

Key Coalition of Alaska is a non-profit, statewide advocacy organization of people with disabilities and their families, friends and other partner organizations.

The goal of the Key Coalition is to advocate for community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Key Coalition advocates for independent living, equality and disability civil rights, and access to quality mental and physical health care services.

Advocates and self-advocates all over the state work year round to educate local lawmakers and community members about issues facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local chapters of the Key Coalition meet to plan both state and local advocacy efforts.

Their mission, through unified state-wide advocacy, is to promote the dignity, status, and equality of all Alaskans who experience disabilities as valued, contributing participants in a shared community.

The Stone Soup Group Parent Conference is an annual event designed to support parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children and youth who experience disabilities. The conference offers keynote speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities focused on empowering families, building community connections, and promoting inclusivity.

The 2025 Parent Conference, themed "Growing Connections & Cultivating Communities," will be held from March 19-21, 2025 at the BP Energy Center. Attendees will hear from a variety of speakers, and the event will feature practical sessions on trust-based relational intervention (TBRI), self-advocacy, and behavior strategies to build stronger, more inclusive communities.

The Parent Conference offers a unique space for families, educators, and service providers to learn, collaborate, and grow together in supporting people with diverse needs.

The UAA Center for Human Development's Alaska Training Cooperative, in collaboration with the State of Alaska Senior and Disability Services, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and the Stone Soup Group, is pleased to present the 24th annual Full Lives Conference for direct services professionals and care coordinators.