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Keynote Speakers | About the Symposium
Save the Date!
Join us at Chico State for the 2027 Northern California Neurodiversity & Disability Symposium. We have an exciting lineup of speakers and sessions, including one general session, two keynotes, six presentations, and eight hours of learning and inspiration.
2027 Featured Speakers
Joey Travolta
Joey is the Creator, Co-Producer and Director of Lights, Camera, Friendship on the Spectrum. Born into a show business family, Joey began his career as a performer in 1978 as a recording artist with Casablanca Records and starred in the feature film, Sunnyside (1979). Joey has directed and produced over 20 films, including the critically acclaimed Enemies of Laughter (2000.) Prior to singing, acting, and directing, Joey worked as a special education teacher in New Jersey.
In 2005, Joey produced the documentary Normal People Scare Me, while mentoring a fifteen-year-old boy with autism who directed the film. Inspired by that experience, Joey developed the curriculum for Inclusion Films, a program that has served hundreds of aspiring neurodivergent filmmakers. Inclusion Films has a mission of inclusion—to train people with different abilities in the art of filmmaking—helping to create a shift in employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. The soft skills learned in the training program can be applied to other jobs and all aspects of their lives.
Dani Bowman
Dani Bowman is an autistic entrepreneur, animator, educator, and speaker, and the founder of DaniMation.US—an animation studio and training program supporting autistic and neurodivergent creatives. She has taught animation to over 3,500 students and premiered 16 original animated short films at San Diego Comic-Con. Dani earned her BFA in Animation and her MBA in Global Strategy & Leadership. As a cast member on Netflix's Love on the Spectrum U.S., Dani uses her platform to advocate for inclusion and empower others to turn passion into possibility.
Imani Barbarin
Imani Barbarin is a disability rights and inclusion activist and speaker who uses her voice and social media platforms to create conversations engaging the disability community. Born with cerebral palsy, Imani often writes and uses her platform to speak from the perspective of a disabled black woman. In the last few years she has created over a dozen trending hashtags that allow disabled folk the opportunity to have their perspectives heard while forcing the world to take notice. #PatientsAreNotFaking, #ThingsDisabledPeopleKnow, #AbledsAreWeird and others each provide a window into disabled life while forming community.
Imani is from the Philadelphia area and holds a Masters in Global Communications from the American University of Paris. Her published works include those in Forbes, Rewire, Healthline, BitchMedia, and more. She runs the blog CrutchesAndSpice.com and a podcast of the same name.
Shannon Des Roches Rosa
Shannon Des Roches Rosa is Thinking Person's Guide to Autism’s senior editor and co-founder. She has written about autism and parenting since 2003. She also serves on committees of several neurodiversity-forward organizations, including AASPIRE and the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit. She is the parent of three neurodivergent humans—all of whom are now bigger and smarter than she is.
About the Neurodiversity & Disability Symposium
The Northern California Neurodiversity & Disability Symposium at Chico State is a community-centered event that brings together neurodivergent and disabled individuals, families, educators, clinicians, researchers, and advocates to share knowledge, build connections, and advance inclusive practices. Entering its tenth year, the symposium has evolved into a neuroaffirming space that values lived experience alongside evidence-based research, highlighting practical strategies, creative expression, accessibility, and disability-centered perspectives across education, healthcare, employment, and community life. Through presentations, workshops, and collaborative dialogue, the symposium fosters belonging, amplifies underrepresented voices, and supports more equitable and inclusive communities throughout Northern California and beyond.