LABS is leadership from sport, media, technology, tourism, brands and the Paralympic movement come together to explore how disability is transforming the sports economy from disabled athletes to fan engagement.
LABS convenes influential sport leaders with lived disability experience to drive credible, authentic conversations as the sought-after platform driving meaningful change.
65% of LABS speakers represent the disability community
Findings from the adapted sport industry’s only national economic impact study were presented to the public at LABS 2020 and 2022
Offers Continuing Education Unit (CEU) workshops with content approved by The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
Akilah Carter-Francique, Dean, School of Education, Health, and Human Services, Benedict College
Ann Cody, PLY, Global Sports Leader
Anna Johannes, PLY, Founder, On the One Hand Consulting
Cole McKeel, VP of Partnerships, Huddle Up Group
Mary Hodge, High Performance Manager, USA Para Powerlifting
Mike Mushett, CEO, Turnstone
Rebecca Bressler, Program Specialist, Special Olympics New York
Rory Cooper, PhD, PLY, National Medal Laureate and Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at University of Pittsburgh
Toby Wong, Board Director, Global Consumer Marketer
Victor Calise, PLY, Director, Global Accessibility Center of Excellence at Walmart
USOPC and NGB leadership • Professional league and collegiate sport leadership • Venues, Facilities and DMOs • Disability and Adapted Sport Leaders • Media and Storytellers • Thought Leaders and Researchers • Brands Marketers, Innovators
400%
Adaptive leaders & advocates attended LABS
1 in 4
Americans lives with a disability
50%
of attendees are Adapted Sport Professionals
65%
of LABS speakers represent the disability community
In its first two years, nearly 400 adapted sport leaders and advocates attended LABS. LABS attendees represent a variety of adapted sport fields:
50% are Adapted Sport Professionals
20% are Athletes, Coaches, Researchers and Professors
13% are from Sport Tourism Destinations
5% are VA Sport Leaders
4% are from Sport and Social Change Organizations
Highly focused on expanding beyond the adapted sport community to build new connections, spark innovative ideas and collaborations, and extend our reach.
Disability inclusion represents a trillion-dollar market opportunity, not a compliance exercise
Representative Leaders & Organizations
- Adidas
- Toyota
- Microsoft
- USOPC
- LA28
- FIFA
LABS Representative Leadership/Speakers:
- Lacey Henderson, PLY
- Brian Bell, PLY
- Ann Cody, PLY
- Linda Mastandrea, PLY
- Rory Cooper, PLY
- Sarah Adam, Team USA Wheelchair Rugby
Past LABS Speakers include:
- Nationally recognized adapted sport leaders
- Disability advocates
- Paralympians and elite athletes
- Leaders from global organizations such as the International Paralympic Committee, The Valuable 500, and The Commonwealth Games Federation
Past LABS Topics include:
- Youth Sport
- Representative Disability
- Sport Leadership
- NCAA Fan Engagement
- Economic Impact
- Employment
Day 1 Sessions:
- Road to LA28 and SLC34: Advancing Paralympic Sport in the U.S.
- Pioneering Innovation: Advancing Sport Experiences Through Disability Inclusion
- Expanding Sport Opportunities Within the Movement – Reaching Intersectional Participants and Athletes
- Sport as a Launching Pad to Disability Employment: Unique Perspectives on Sport Career Pathways
