Disability Awareness Day/"From Advocacy to Policy to Impact"

Monday, May 4, 2026

Louisiana State Capitol

Baton Rouge, LA

“From Advocacy to Policy to Impact”

The Split Second Foundation and the Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs will co-host the annual Disability Awareness Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

This event will enable disability based organizations to meet and interact with legislators, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Disability Affairs, and state leaders during the 2026 Regular Session to emphasize the importance of their work in their communities.

Disability organizations exist to solve real problems experienced in the community—problems related to access, independence, employment, health, transportation, and quality of life. Yet, the pathway to scaling solutions almost always runs through public policy.

Whether through legislation, regulation, agency programs, or executive action, policy plays a defining role in enabling or constraining innovation and progress for people with disabilities.

This year’s Disability Awareness Day will feature a high-level panel discussion titled “From Lived Experience to Lasting Policy" moderated by Mark Raymond, Jr., Founder and CEO of the Split Second Foundation.

Together, the panel will explore how public policy intersects with disability issues across three major dimensions:

1. Quality of Life: How state programs and policy decisions influence access to healthcare, community-based services, adaptive recreation, independent living, education, and long-term supports.

2. Economic Impact: How disability inclusion, workforce participation, access to supports, and equitable program design can create economic value at both the household and statewide levels—reducing downstream healthcare costs, enabling employment, and expanding economic participation.

3. Advocacy & Engagement: Why community organizations, advocates, and families must stay engaged with legislators, agency leaders, and the executive branch to ensure disability policy reflects real-world needs, modern solutions, and lived experience

The event will also feature exhibitors from various organizations who are pivotal in providing services and support within the disability community.

Join us and lend your voice to advocate for policies that empower this vibrant community.

Questions may be directed to:

Split Second Foundation @ info@splitsecondfoundation.org.

Governor's Office of Disability Affairs @ Disability.Affaris@la.gov