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SUMMARY:Think Differently: Neurodiversity\, Accessibility & the Future of Innovation
DESCRIPTION:Explore how accessibility and diverse ways of thinking drive innovation\, inclusion\, and the future of work.\n\n\nAt Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship (WTE)\, we believe in building more than businesses — we build dialogue\, community\, and equity. \nThis April\, in recognition of Neurodiversity Celebration Month\, we’re hosting a special Advocacy Committee Engagement Session (ACES) — a facilitated discussion series created by the WTE Advocacy Committee to spotlight key observances and advance systems-level change. ACEs are part of WTE’s systems advocacy work\, helping our 10\,000+ members critically engage with issues of equity\, representation\, and opportunity through the lens of community-led dialogue. \nThis session expands the conversation beyond neurodiversity to explore accessibility more broadly—including physical\, cognitive\, and sensory experiences—and how designing for difference leads to stronger systems\, better products\, and more inclusive communities. \n \nWhat You’ll Learn\nThis session is designed to expand perspective\, challenge assumptions\, and spark action. Together\, we’ll explore: \n\nThe history and significance of Neurodiversity Celebration Month—and its connection to broader accessibility movements\nThe current landscape for individuals navigating cognitive\, physical\, and sensory differences in tech and entrepreneurship\nHow accessibility and inclusive design unlock innovation—not limit it\nThe strengths that come from different ways of thinking\, moving\, and experiencing the world\nPractical ways founders\, leaders\, and teams can design more inclusive environments and products\nHow WTE members can advocate for systems that expand access\, opportunity\, and representation\n\nThis is not just about awareness—it’s about building systems that work better for more people. Different perspectives don’t slow innovation—they drive it. Join us to rethink how we build\, lead\, and design for the future. \n\n\n\nMeet the Speakers\n \n✨ Olivia Gallagher Founder & Director\, GallagherEmpower365 \nOlivia Gallagher is an elite para athlete\, marketing consultant\, and founder of GallagherEmpower365\, where she empowers individuals to live\, work\, and travel without limits. Through her work in accessible travel and entrepreneurship\, Olivia advocates for environments that remove barriers and expand opportunity. Her perspective—shaped by high-performance athletics and lived experience—brings a powerful lens to conversations around accessibility\, independence\, and reimagining what’s possible. \n \n✨ Emi Hutton Founder\, AccessEquistar \nEmi Hutton is a seasoned Product Manager and digital accessibility advocate leading AccessEquistar\, a stealth startup focused on accessibility innovation. Drawing from her own lived experience\, Emi bridges the gap between technical innovation and the human reality of disability. Her mission is to drive the shift from simple compliance to mandatory implementation\, helping leadership leverage accessibility as a strategic tool to prevent litigation\, expand market reach\, and build workplaces that are inherently safe and accessible for all. \n \n✨ WTE Advocacy Committee Chair | Dr. Sarah Matthews\, Founder & CEO at Health Communications Consultants\, Inc. \nSarah Matthews is a scientist\, entrepreneur\, and award-winning public health leader whose firm serves global clients with a mission rooted in innovation\, advocacy\, and human-centered problem-solving. A former epidemiologist and current researcher in AI acceptance in public health\, Sarah brings a unique systems perspective to business\, technology\, and equity. She is widely published and the recipient of multiple state and national honors for her leadership in health\, tech\, and policy. Sarah also serves as a Board Member on the Advocacy Committee at Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship\, helping shape inclusive dialogue and drive systemic impact across the WTE community. \n\n\nAbout Neurodiversity Celebration Month\nNeurodiversity Celebration Month recognizes and honors the diverse ways people think\, learn\, and experience the world. It challenges outdated notions of “normal” and instead celebrates cognitive diversity as a powerful driver of creativity\, innovation\, and progress. \nFrom entrepreneurship to technology to design\, neurodivergent individuals have long been at the forefront of breakthrough thinking—often reshaping industries in ways that benefit us all. This month is an opportunity to move beyond awareness and toward building systems that are more inclusive by design. \n\n\n\nAbout Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship (WTE)\nWomen in Tech & Entrepreneurship is a dues-free\, member-led organization helping women across all industries start\, scale\, and lead in today’s economy. We provide educational programming\, near-peer mentorship\, and a thriving community of support for women building bold careers and businesses — on their own terms
URL:https://innovateorlando.io/event/think-differently-neurodiversity-accessibility-the-future-of-innovation/
LOCATION:FL
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DTSTART;TZID=-04:00:20260428T180000
DTEND;TZID=-04:00:20260428T210000
DTSTAMP:20260413T102036
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SUMMARY:Orlando Devs social & Orlando Tech and Beer in April!
DESCRIPTION:Join the Orlando Devs network for the monthly Orlando Tech and Beer – a monthly networking and social event hosted by the team that leads Accelerate Orlando. \nAll OTAB events will be crossposted here on the Orlando Devs main page\, but you can also subscribe directly to the community here: https://luma.com/otab \nFirst drinks & light bites will be provided thanks to our generous sponsors!
URL:https://innovateorlando.io/event/orlando-devs-social-orlando-tech-and-beer-in-april/
LOCATION:Twelve Talons Beerworks\, 2807 E South Street\, Orlando\, FL\, 32803\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=-04:00:20260428T190000
DTEND;TZID=-04:00:20260428T200000
DTSTAMP:20260413T102036
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SUMMARY:Virtual "Show and Tell" of Projects by the Community
DESCRIPTION:Ready to showcase your creativity and ingenuity? Want to see what fun\, cool\, and innovative projects community members are working on? Then get ready for our Monthly Creative Exchange! \nThis is your chance to: \nShowcase Your Craft: Experimenting with AI or trying to kickstart a new app? This is your stage! Demo your latest creations\, share your process\, and spark inspiration in others. Projects do not have to be perfect or completely refined to help inspire others. \nThe Creative Exchange: Need a second pair of eyes on an app you’re building? Or maybe you’re looking for a collaborator? Tap into our collective to get the feedback or partnership you need to level up. \nFound a new “toy” or app that’s completely leveled up your creative flow? We want to see it in action! Come give us a quick demo of the tools or techniques that are making your work fun again. Your “aha!” moment might be exactly the inspiration someone else needs to break through a creative block. \nDemo and “Show and tell” sessions should be shared as brief and impactful “lighting” talks. All talks will be time boxed to 7 minutes. Got something to share? Sign up using the following Google Form. https://forms.gle/gXSoEPL7Z7QXrWpQ6 \nAgenda \n— \nHosted By \nJavier Carrion\, GDG Organizer \nHi everyone! My name is Javier\, but you can call me “Javi.” I live in Ocala\, known as “the Horse Capital of the World” and I’m actively involved in the Central Florida Development communities. As a Software Engineer (Web) at Design Interactive\, I work with cutting-edge human-system integration (HSI) technologies\, which means I get to play with devices like HoloLens and more. Fun Fact: I have a mixology certification from the city of Waterbury! 🍸 I’m excited to be a part of this amazing group and looking forward to connecting with all of you! 🚀 \nMichael Rosario\, GDG Team Lead Member \nAs an experienced software developer with over 19 years of experience\, I enjoy helping organizations with agile software development\, promoting cultures of innovation\, and creative business solutions. I enjoy helping organizations and software teams discover the craft of continuous improvement. I am always looking for opportunities to serve leaders and teams who want to create more value with integrity\, character\, and predictability. \nProfessional interests: AR/VR\, Web dev\, MAKERS movement\, Agile leadership\, Machine learning\, Cultures of Innovation\, Gaming & Game based learning\, Visual analytics \nChristi Kapp\, Founder & CEO \nChristi Kapp is a well-respected Management Consultant and Coach that has spoken at numerous professional conferences on topics ranging from business analysis\, to managing organizational change. \nChristi’s career has included management consulting\, executive leadership\, coaching and teaching in the hospitality\, training and technology industries. She has also managed performance\, as well as the professional development of staff engaged in development and delivery of complex information system solutions\, solution sales\, training\, and customer service. \nHer entrepreneurial background includes founding\, growing and selling TechKnowQuest\, Inc – one of the Orlando Area’s Fastest Growing Tech Companies in 1998 (1992 – 2000). While at TechKnowQuest\, she created custom courses for a number of clients and performed management consulting services. She has also performed coaching and consulting services through KnowledgeSpot\, Inc\, (2000 – 2007) and JustIntegration\, Inc. (founded in 2006). She was also co-founder of Art In Motion LLC Custom Motorcycles (founded in 2007)\, and is Owner/Innkeeper at Kapp and Kappy Bed & Breakfast (2016) \nShe is an accomplished author also. She has written several enterprise information technology books (Prentice-Hall)\, a UCF Master’s thesis on “Regional Readiness for Homeland Security Information Sharing”\, and in 2016\, wrote a book chapter titled “Soft Factors Enabling Innovation” in the Apple Academic Press series called Ecosystems and Technology: Idea Generation and Content Model Processing. \nShe has a B.S. Degree from the University of Rochester and a M.S. from the College of Health & Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida. \nKendra Kennedy\, Software Engineer II \nHello everyone! My name is Kendra Kennedy\, and I am a Software Engineer who specializes in eXtended Reality (XR) Development and dabbles in Web Development\, Mobile Development\, and a bit of Machine Learning. I have a deep love for learning and trying out new skills\, so when I’m not behind the keyboard I can be often be found taking acting\, dancing\, or media art classes from the nearby art center or martial arts\, yoga\, or one-off exercise classes at my local gym. I’m happy to be a part of such an awesome team and look forward to learning and creating with all of you! \nKayle Brown\, \nComplete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-central-florida-presents-virtual-show-and-tell-of-projects-by-the-community-2026-04-28/.
URL:https://innovateorlando.io/event/virtual-show-and-tell-of-projects-by-the-community-2/
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260429
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SUMMARY:2026 TEA INSPIRE & 32nd Annual Thea Awards Gala
DESCRIPTION:2026 TEA INSPIRE & 32nd Annual Thea Awards Gala by Themed Entertainment Association Apr 29\, 2026 to May 2. \nFor more information\, click here: https://teaconnect.glueup.com/event/2026-tea-inspire-32nd-annual-thea-awards-gala-138379/?pk_campaign=widget-event-list \n  \n\nWHAT IS INSPIRE WEEK & THE THEA AWARDS GALA?\n\n\n\nINSPIRE Week is the themed entertainment industry’s premier gathering for education\, connection\, and celebration\, bringing together the people and projects shaping immersive experiences around the world. \nThe week features a series of curated\, ticketed events\, including a Leadership Forum\, Spotlight Sessions\, the INSPIRE Conference\, and an exclusive evening experience\, called INSPIRE the Night. Together\, these programs offer direct access to industry leaders\, award-winning creators\, and emerging voices driving the future of themed entertainment. \nINSPIRE Week concludes with the Thea Awards Gala\, the industry’s highest honor\, recognizing excellence\, innovation\, and achievement across themed entertainment. Produced by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and Miziker Entertainment​ for 2026\, the Thea Awards celebrate the best of the best on a global stage. \n2026 marks a milestone year as INSPIRE Week and the Thea Awards Gala make their debut in Orlando for the first time ever\, bringing the industry’s most anticipated events to the heart of themed entertainment.
URL:https://innovateorlando.io/event/2026-tea-inspire-32nd-annual-thea-awards-gala/
LOCATION:JW Marriott Orlando\, 2701 Grandola Dr\, Orlando\, FL\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Christine Rogers":MAILTO:christine@teaconnect.org
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