Barbara Merrill

CEO

ANCOR

United States

4 profile visitsSpeaker

My organisation

ANCOR

ANCOR

United States

We exist to advance the ability of our members to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to fully participate in their communities. For more than a half-century, ANCOR has worked to shape policy and share solutions to strengthen the ability of community-based providers to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our 2,500 members operate in nearly every corner of the country to make inclusion a reality for people of all abilities. Our Strategic Priorities includes goals to: Influence responsible federal public policy to protect and promote quality services and supports., Obtain resources to attract, expand and retain a quality workforce., Be an invaluable resource to equip providers and partners with understanding and increased capacity to respond to impacts, opportunities, emerging practices and trends., Shape the future of service delivery models and measures to ensure sustainable services.
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About me

Barbara has been at the helm of ANCOR since 2014, a period in which the US association has more than quadrupled in membership – today ANCOR represents over 2400 providers of services to people with IDD and 61 state trade associations. She has been involved in disability issues since 1992 as an advocate, state legislator and attorney for people with disabilities and the providers who serve them. When she is not in her adopted state of Virginia, home to the ANCOR headquarters, or speaking to ANCOR member and partner audiences across the county and abroad,  she is in her home state of Maine

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she/her

Areas of Activity

Employment

Supported EmploymentTransition models from sheltered workshops

ICT (Information and Communication Technologies)

Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning / Big Data SolutionsCommunity and Knowledge PlatformRobotics and Automated MachinerySocial Media

Other Areas of Activity

Independent Living and Political Participation

At #ZeroCon25, I am looking for...

Increase expertise in accessibility and inclusionInvitations to international conferencesNetworkingProject Cooperations

At #ZeroCon25, I am offering...

Increase expertise in accessibility and inclusionNetworking

Speaker sessions (1)

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

12:00 - 13:00

Undoing the sheltered workshop system

Format:In-personLocation:M3Track:Zero Project Awardees
  • Transition models from Sheltered Workshops
  • English captions | International Sign

Sheltered workshops remain a reality in most countries in the world. This forum examines the reasons behind this violation of the CRPD and highlights how global good practices are moving persons with disabilities out of sheltered workshops.