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About the event
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Ice Miller’s firm wide Heritage and History Month events are 1-hour virtual sessions hosted via Microsoft Teams, with an audience of approximately 75+ attendees. Our goal is to foster continuous learning about different heritages and cultures, recognizing that a diverse team—one that brings varied perspectives and cultural insights—drives creativity, fuels innovation, and strengthens relationships.
Date: TBD
Budget: $2,500
Audience: 75+ seeing closer to 100, Firm Wide, Business Professionals, Executive Staff.
Speaker | Human Rights Advocate | Host of The No No Show
Nicole Adler is a dynamic speaker, show host, and human rights advocate advancing the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. A longtime civic leader, she is a governor-appointed member of the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, serves on multiple advisory boards and working groups (including UCSF, UC Davis, Stanford, and Georgetown), and co-authored The Rainbow Guidebook for clinicians working with LGBTQ+ individuals with intellectual disabilities. In 2024, she became the first person with Down syndrome to serve as San Francisco Pride’s Community Grand Marshal.
Nicole co-hosted the 2025 DisCo at the Capitol, starred in the award-winning short film First X, and hosts The No No Show on YouTube. She frequently presents at national conferences, advocacy events, and university classrooms — blending education, storytelling, and joy to spark meaningful dialogue and inclusion.
Virtual Fee: $1,500
Speaker Website: https://nicoleforlove.com/
Speaker Highlights
More Videos: https://nicoleforlove.com/video
Why Nicole Is a Good Fit
- Deep subject-matter expertise with active roles on advisory boards including the UC Davis MIND Institute, Stanford, Georgetown, and the CA Disability Thrive Initiative
- Speaks from lived experience while also contributing to policy, education, public health, and media initiatives
- Combines humor and vulnerability with a clear, empowering message on inclusion and representation
- Experienced in both in-person and virtual formats, including keynotes for San Francisco Pride, Queens College (CUNY), and multiple state agencies
- Known for her ability to resonate with professional, civic, and healthcare audiences alike — bridging sectors with humanity and heart
Presentation Details
She typically offers a 30-minute presentation followed by Q&A, totaling approximately 45–60 minutes depending on audience engagement. Nicole is highly experienced with both virtual and in-person formats, and requests a brief pre-event call with the client 1–2 weeks before the event to connect with the team and ensure she feels supported and familiar on the day of the event.
Availabilties: Nicole is available on the 21st, 23rd, 28th or the 30th for the presentation.
Speaker | Coach | Author
Thomas Iland (pronounced “island”) is an award-winning, bestselling author, Certified Human Potential Coach, and one of only 95 Toastmasters International Accredited Speakers (AS) in the world — and the only one with autism. Diagnosed at age 13, Thomas defied expectations: he earned his CPA license, left a corporate career in 2015, and now speaks globally on disability inclusion, leadership, mental health, and personal empowerment. He’s delivered keynotes for the United Nations (twice in 2019), Netflix, NBCUniversal, and the U.S. Army, among others. Thomas is also a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD holder and IRONMAN finisher, and his coaching and talks focus on helping others come to life — in love, independence, education, and employment.
Virtual Fee: Negotiated to $2,500
Website: https://cometolifecoaching.com/
"Thomas got the entire audience to participate in answering deep questions about themselves. Many participants reached an emotional level they had not reached before."- Julie Patterson, William S. Hart School District
"Come to Life offers innovative tools that can help self-advocates become who they want to be. The strategies provided by Thomas and Emily are first-hand, not only from their own journey with autism but also from the extensive work they have done in the field. Parents, guardians, educators, job coaches and service providers can do the activities in Come to Life with young adults to support their transition goals and help them pursue independent lives." - Nelsinia Ramos, Parent Services Coordinator for Wisconsin FACETS
Speaker Highlights
Why Thomas Is a Good Fit
- Diagnosed with autism, Thomas brings authentic lived experience paired with corporate, athletic, and coaching achievements
- One of only 95 Toastmasters Accredited Speakers worldwide — and the only one on the spectrum
- Author of two books, including Come to Life! and My Glass Is Full, focused on self-discovery and mental health
- Has delivered global keynotes, including two events at the United Nations in the same year
- Trusted by major organizations — including Netflix, Boston Scientific, Gavilan College, and California POST — to educate on disability and neurodiversity
- Offers powerful storytelling that’s equal parts inspiring, educational, and deeply human
Recommended Keynote
“Promoting Participation of Persons With Disabilities & Their Leadership”
In this keynote, Thomas draws from his own journey to explore how we can better support and elevate disabled individuals in the workplace and beyond. Through stories, strategies, and lived experience, he helps organizations:
- Explore strategies for preparing uniquely abled individuals for the world of work
- Discuss best practices to improve performance and engagement
- Understand the benefits of empowering people with disabilities in all areas of LIFE — Love, Independence, Further Education, and Employment
Disability Advocate, Coach & Consultant
Keith Bonchek is a disability advocate, speaker, and founder of Ability Together, a nonprofit focused on creating equity in healthcare communication for people with disabilities. Born with Cerebral Palsy and a severe hearing loss, Keith was once told he would never walk or talk — but he went on to graduate high school, attend college and trade school, and run a successful landscape design business for over 17 years. He has served as Vice Chairman of California’s Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program and worked with numerous organizations supporting disabled communities. Keith brings a powerful message about persistence, inclusion, and the importance of communication — told with warmth, humor, and hard-won wisdom.
Virtual Fee: $1,500
Website: https://abilitytogether.org/
How Keith Became a Speaker: https://abilitytogether.org/how-keith-became-a-speaker-by-accident/
"CIR had the privilege of having Keith speak for us last year, Keith is engaging, funny, and gives so much insight into the difficulties the deaf and hard of hearing community faces when navigating the medical system." - Crystal Cardenas, Associate Director Center for Innovation and Resources, Inc.
"Keith's amazing journey demonstrates to my staff how a life of meaning and value should look for any one us - full and filled with valued relationships, spirituality, drive and entrepreneurship. His insights will challenge the way in which you see things, and hopefully the things you see, will change as a result of his message." - Jim Williams, Modern Support Services
"Keith Bonchek is inspiring and passionate in his work of advocacy for those affected by disability. Speaking out of his own life experience, Keith moves people to action through his compassion, knowledge and understanding of disability." - Steve Bundy, Managing Director, Christian Institute on Disability, Joni and Friends International Disability Center
Speaker Highlights
Why Keith Is a Good Fit
- Speaks from lived experience as a disabled entrepreneur and advocate who overcame multiple barriers
- Founder of Ability Together, with a mission to bring equity in communication to healthcare and beyond
- Known for relatable, heart-driven storytelling that resonates across professional and community settings
- Delivers powerful sessions on language, bias, inclusion, and interpersonal connection
- Experienced speaker with past engagements at adult schools, nonprofits, support services, and universities
Speaking Topics
- People First Language — and why you need to use it
- Communication & Disability — Working through misunderstandings with physical & intellectual disabilities
- Myths & Facts About Deafness — What the hearing world needs to know about my community
- The Rebellious Spirit — Stories about not becoming my diagnosis