Jason Rogers
As Coordinator of Workplace Readiness and Inclusion, Jason Rogers works with companies to help them become more inclusive towards people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Jason believes that people with ID have great things to contribute to companies and is passionate about helping companies realize that. Jason also works at The Chattanooga Christian School as a Teacher Assistant, where he supports high schools with ID practice work readiness skills. Jason holds a Certificate of Career Exploration from Lipscomb University's IDEAL Program, where he was one of the first of two undergraduate students with ID to live independently in the student dorms. Jason has a passion for life and for helping those with ID reach their full potential and independence.
Zach & Pat Valentine
Zach and Pat Valentine, known as the Valentine Brothers, strive to educate and entertain with their positive, comedic, and wholesome skits and dance videos. Food, an integral part of their Latin culture, is their love language. If they are not busy creating and sharing their shenanigans on social media, you are sure to find them enjoying some of their favorite foods like pizza and tacos. This brother duo have collectively amassed over 8M followers on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, SnapChat, and Facebook. They advocate for the Down syndrome community and those with disabilities with a message of kindness, hope, and love.
Valerie C. Williams, Director, Office of Special Education Programs, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Valerie C. Williams serves as the director in the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of Education. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the administration of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which authorizes formula grants to states under IDEA Part B and leads agencies for the infants and families program under IDEA Part C. IDEA also authorizes discretionary grants under IDEA Part D to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support grants for state personnel development, technical assistance and information dissemination, technology, and parent training and information centers.
Williams most recently served for six years as senior director of Government Relations and External Affairs at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. She has decades of experience, which include supporting state-level special education leaders by overseeing federal government public policy activities, federal regulatory affairs, public relations, and key initiatives to promote equity and guide positive systemic change, thereby improving outcomes for students with disabilities. She also served as a Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Public Policy Fellow for the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee advancing disability policy and civil rights. Prior to that, she managed the budgeting and finances for numerous multi-million-dollar programs within the Departments of the Navy and the Air Force, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Williams was born in White Sands, New Mexico and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy of Industrial Societies from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Arts in Public Management from Johns Hopkins University. She has a unique perspective, having worked with members of Congress and staff on Capitol Hill, with advocacy organizations, supporting state special education leaders, and most importantly, being the parent of a son with Down syndrome.
