The 4th annual AccessAbility Business Summit took place on May 7, 2026, at the Boone Electric Cooperative Community Room in Columbia, Missouri — and by every measure, it was a success.
The summit brought together employers, workforce professionals, community partners, and job seekers with disabilities for a full day centered on one core idea: that inclusive hiring is good business, and the right connections make it possible.
A Day Built Around Real Solutions
The summit’s theme — Outreach, Connection, and Solutions for Employers Recruiting Quality Job Candidates with Disabilities — wasn’t just a tagline. It shaped every session on the agenda.
Topics included a keynote kickoff, disability awareness and etiquette training, an overview of assistive technology, practical accommodation ideas, an employer panel, and structured networking that gave employers the chance to meet directly with job seekers with disabilities. HR professionals in attendance were also eligible for certification credit through the Human Resources Association of Central Missouri (HRACMO), pending approval.
For employers who’ve wondered how to start or strengthen their disability-inclusive hiring practices, the summit offered exactly the kind of hands-on, relationship-first environment that makes a difference.
The People Who Made It Happen
Events like this don’t come together on their own. The 2026 AccessAbility Business Summit was made possible by a dedicated planning committee whose members brought both expertise and genuine passion to the work.
Among those recognized: Central Workforce Development Board Performance Coordinator Korin Thurman, board member Elizabeth Perkins, Job Point President John Scalise, and Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation’s Paul DiBello — along with every committee member who contributed their time, ideas, and energy across months of planning.
Their commitment showed in the details, and in the attendance.
Sponsors and Partners
The summit was sponsored by Missouri Department of Social Services, Job Point, the Governor’s Council on Disability, Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation, NaviLens, the Central Workforce Development Region, the Missouri Office of Administration, and the Human Resources Association of Central Missouri.
That depth of sponsorship reflects the broad coalition behind this work, and the shared belief that removing barriers to employment benefits everyone.
Looking Ahead
The AccessAbility Business Summit continues to grow because the need it addresses is real. Mid-Missouri employers are looking for qualified candidates. Job seekers with disabilities bring talent, reliability, and dedication to the workforce. This summit exists to close the gap between them, and year four proved that mission is resonating.
To learn more about how the Central Workforce Development Region supports employers and job seekers across mid-Missouri, visit cwdregion.com.