Connie Vandarakis

CEO, Movement Advocacy

DanceAbility International, Disability Pride PA

United States

27 profile visitsSpeaker

About me

Connie Vandarakis (she/her) is the CEO of Movement Advocacy.

As an international disability consultant, Connie was awarded as a Zero Project Ambassador in 2023. She is an Inclusive Arts expert with the Zero Project Inclusive Arts Community and moderated the first Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights panels in 2022, and 2023 at the Zero Project Conference at the United Nations in Vienna. She has performed and spoke at the United Nations Conference of State Parties to the Conventions on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP) side conference with Zero Project in 2023, 2022, and 2021.

Connie works as a Master Trainer with DanceAbility International and has been a keynote speaker at Inclusive Dance conferences, taught and performed in several countries. She has 30 years of leadership experience from the University of The Arts in Philadelphia, PA, as former Associate Dean, Professor and Dance Education Coordinator. Connie has served on the boards of Disability Pride Pennsylvania, DanceAbility International and Include Everyone Project SCV.

My organisation

DanceAbility International, Disability Pride PA

https://www.disabilitypridepa.org/

Disability Pride is above all a celebration of inclusion and disabled people who are proud to be themselves! Our mission is to celebrate the pride that the disability community feels. It's a place for us to come together to celebrate the disability experience. What makes our programming different from others is that we plan accessible community events to bring disabled and non-disabled people together. I also am a Master Trainer with DanceAbility International providing training for all people to become Danceability teachers. I teach inclusive dance classes for corporations, medical communities, academic institutions, and international dance festivals. I received the Zero Project Abassador award in 2023. I am part of the Inclusive Arts at Zero Project and support its mission.

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Pronouns

she/her

Inclusive Education

Formal EducationLifelong LearningNon-Formal Education

ICT (Information and Communication Technologies)

Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning / Big Data SolutionsCommunity and Knowledge PlatformDigital LibrarySocial Media

Other Areas of Activity

AccessibilityEmployment

At #ZeroCon24, I am looking for...

ConsultingInvitations to international conferencesNetworking

At #ZeroCon24, I am offering...

Increase expertise in accessibility and inclusionNetworkingProject CooperationsConsulting

Speaker sessions (2)

Wednesday, 21 February 2024

13:00 - 14:00

Realistic representation of persons with disabilities in the arts and media

Format:Live streamTrack:Location: M1
  • Non-formal education
  • Inclusive Arts
  • English captions | International Sign
  • Audiodescription

This Session showcases how innovative, creative, and inclusive approaches in music, dance, and visual arts can foster a more inclusive society.

Thursday, 22 February 2024

17:00 - 18:00

Interactive and Inclusive Dance Lessons

Format:In-personTrack:Location: Ground floor
  • Non-formal education
  • Performance

Innovative and inclusive dance classes led by renowned teachers provide a transformative and empowering experience for all participants.

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