DES MOINES — The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University will convene national leaders from the private sector, public sector, and self-advocacy communities at the 2026 Harkin Summit, from October 21–22 at the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. The Summit will focus on disability employment policy, bringing together leaders and advocates to discuss policies and practices that expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Presented in collaboration with the CEO Commission for Disability Employment, this year’s Summit will focus on the theme “Leveraging the Legacy of the ADA.” The summit will bring together leaders from across the disability policy landscape to examine the progress made since the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted and work collaboratively to shape the future of disability policy in the United States.
“The ADA changed our country by establishing a clear promise of equal opportunity and access for people with disabilities,” said Tom Harkin, retired U.S. Senator and founder of The Harkin Institute. “But a law is only as strong as our commitment to making it work in people’s everyday lives. The Harkin Summit is an opportunity to bring together people who are leading that work—in government, business, philanthropy, the arts and communities across the country—and ask what we can do together to keep the promise of the ADA.”
The Harkin Summit is designed to foster dialogue and collaboration among leaders who are developing, implementing, and advancing disability policy. Panelists will draw on their varied expertise and experiences to identify opportunities to strengthen competitive, integrated employment and address persistent barriers facing people with disabilities in the workforce.
“Creating meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in the workforce requires more than any single policy or sector can provide,” said Daniel Van Sant, The Harkin Institute’s director of disability policy. “The Harkin Summit brings together people who understand these challenges from different perspectives because the future of disability policy must be shaped by the people who experience these policies and the leaders who are working to put them into practice.”
The two-day event will feature keynote speakers, presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops highlighting examples of disabled leadership and innovation across the workforce, including in the areas of:
- Nonprofits and philanthropy
- Business and enterprise
- Government and public service
- Arts, culture, and sports
Through these conversations, the Summit will provide an opportunity for participants to share lessons learned, examine emerging challenges, and identify approaches that can help advance competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities.
About the 2026 Harkin Summit
The 2026 Harkin Summit reflects The Harkin Institute’s ongoing commitment to advancing evidence-informed disability policy and creating opportunities for leaders across sectors to collaborate on issues affecting the lives and economic participation of people with disabilities.
Learn more about the 2026 Harkin Summit agenda and speakers.
About the Harkin Institute
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University puts people at the center of policy by sponsoring public programming and supporting the development of policy solutions that improve the lives of all people. With disability policy as one of its four focus areas, The Harkin Institute envisions a world where all people experience dignity and inclusion and can achieve their full potential. The Harkin Institute builds on its founder, retired U.S. Senator Tom Harkin’s legacy of public service and advocacy through research, education, and civic engagement.
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