2026 Disability Owned Convening

Event description

The Small Business Hub at National Disability Institute (NDI) is excited to welcome you to this year’s Disability Owned Convening, a fully virtual, national event taking place on October 21 and 22, 2026.

This accessible event offers a wide range of topics aiming to empower entrepreneurs to navigate an ever-changing business landscape, including leveraging AI, achieving financial health, marketing, accessing support and resources and panels highlighting how entrepreneurs with disabilities seize opportunities and overcome challenges to build thriving businesses.

Over the past four years, this dynamic event has connected thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners with disabilities, entrepreneurial support organizations, state vocational rehabilitation counselors, policy makers, financial institutions and disability advocates from across the country.

What participants are saying about the previous Convenings:

The stories of real people starting their own companies.  I loved hearing about their wins and listened carefully to their struggles…  I was also impressed that one conference was relevant for participants coming from all walks of life including people with disabilities, families, and people who service people with disabilities.  I also appreciated learning about the tools that were helpful while marketing a business.”

I loved all the presentations but the review of successful small businesses was awesome”

Great testimonials, informative speakers on great topics such as AI, investment and biz terms, etc.”

I have wanted to start my own business my entire adult life. As an autistic person with a TBI I always felt I couldn't. This was inspirational, motivating, and empowering.”

What I enjoyed best was the personal experiences from business owners who have disabilities themselves.”

The information that was shared is so useful for me and the clients I serve who are interested in starting their own businesses.”

The real-world entrepreneurs that shared their stories gives me confidence that I can create a successful business too.”

I like the variety of topics and variety of speakers, everyone was very empowering and held a lot of confidence in what they said, while encouraging you to build grace for yourself in the process of starting a business. These speakers spoke with such a maturity and it was very empowering.”

View content from the previous Disability Owned Convenings

5 Top Reasons You Should Attend:

1. Connect with a thriving community of entrepreneurs, advocates and experts who truly understand your opportunities and challenges
2. Learn from successful business owners and thought leaders as they share actionable strategies
3. Discover key resources for funding, marketing, technology and sustainable growth
4. Be part of a dynamic national movement advancing disability-owned businesses and economic empowerment.
5. Benefit from accessible, virtual sessions you can join from anywhere.