41st Annual Developmental Disabilities Conference

The Annual Developmental Disabilities Conference focuses on issues related to healthcare, social, community, and educational services which are of critical importance to the future of persons with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. The program will provide an overview of issues related to the spectrum of services currently available as well as strategies for enhancing these services. This educational program is designed for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, therapists, educators, nutritionists, home care providers, and other professionals interested in the delivery of care and services to persons with developmental disabilities.

Exhibitor Registration is full. Thank you for your interest!

For more information, please contact Laura Counterman: [email protected] // 269.337.6508.

Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 8:00 AM - Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 4:00 PM, Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing, MI

1. Organize and prioritize responsibilities to provide care that is safe, effective, and efficient
2. Develop and carry out patient management plans
3. Set learning and improvement goals
4. Demonstrate sensitivity, honesty, and compassion in difficult conversations, including those about death, end of life, adverse events, bad news, disclosure of errors, and other sensitive topics
5. Demonstrate compassion, integrity, and respect for others
6. Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities, and sexual orientation
7. Advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient care systems
8. Use the knowledge of one’s own role and the roles of other health professionals to appropriately assess and address the health care needs of the patients and populations served
9. Participate in different team roles to establish, develop, and continuously enhance interprofessional teams to provide patient- and population centered care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable
10. Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities
11. Identify advances in clinical assessment and management of selected healthcare issues related to persons with developmental disabilities
12. Recognize the ethical issues related to persons with developmental disabilities
13. Identify and emphasize attitudes that enhance the opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to achieve their optimal potential
14. Develop strategies to promote community inclusion in meeting the needs of persons with developmental disabilities
15. Identify and perform learning activities that address one's gaps in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes

December 1 – February 29
Early Bird Registration [Ends on February 29]
Two Day Pass $250.00
One Day Pass $190.00

March 1 – March 31
Regular Registration [Ends on March 31]
Two Day Pass $265.00
One Day Pass $210.00

April 1 – April 17
Late Registration [Ends on April 17]
Two Day Pass $295.00
One Day Pass $240.00

Cancellation/No-shows
Conference registration canceled on or before March 31, 2025, is refundable but subject to a $50 administrative fee. Registration fees may be transferred to another individual if requested on or before April 1 for a $25 administrative fee. No-shows and registrants canceling on or after April 2 will NOT receive a refund. Send cancellation notices by email to [email protected]

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit amount subject to change.  

Interprofessional Continuing Education
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 10.0 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Physicians
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 10.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine designates this activity for 10.0 contact hours for nurses.  Nurses should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Pharmacists & Pharmacy Technicians
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine designates this activity for 10.0 contact hours for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.  Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 10.0 general continuing education credits.

Psychologists
This program is co-sponsored by the American Psychological Association for continuing education credit. The American Psychological Association retains responsibility for the program.  This activity is designated for 10.0 APA CE Credits.

Dieticians
Completion of this RD/DTR profession-specific or IPCE activity awards CPEUs (One IPCE credit=One CPEU). 

If the activity is dietetics-related but not targeted to RDs or DTRs, CPEUs may be claimed which are commensurate with participation in contact hours (One 60 minute hour = 1 CPEU).

RDs and DTRs are to Select activity type 102 in their Activity Log. Sphere and Competency selection is at the learner's discretion. 

Lodging & Parking
Breakfast and lunch are included during the conference. Please note, lodging and on-site parking are not included in the conference fee. Please visit the ‘’Hotel” tab to find available lodging information. Parking can be paid for on-site at one of the kiosks via the parking ramp or inside the conference center.

Conference App
This year’s schedule, breakout sessions, and exhibitor information will be housed in our Conference App. To prepare for the conference, please feel free download the app “Cvent Events” in your mobile App Store. If you decide not to use the app, we suggest printing a copy of the conference brochure ahead of time.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (10.00 hours), ACE CE Credits (10.00 hours), APA CE Credits (10.00 hours), Continuing Nursing Credit- ANCC (10.00 hours), Continuing Pharmacy Education ACPE (10.00 hours), Dietician CPEU Credit (10.00 hours), General Attendance (10.00 hours), IPCE Credit (10.00 hours), Other Learner Attendance (10.00 hours)

Parking and lodging are not included in the conference fee. Attendees are responsible for arranging their own accommodations. Two hotels have provided a number of rooms at a discounted rate for Monday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 15, 2025. This rate is guaranteed through March 14, 2025.

Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center (on-site)
Address: 219 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824
Discounted Rate: $129/night - $225/night

To reserve a room, please call (800) 875-5090 or book online through Book Now | Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

Hampton Inn East Lansing (off-site)
Address: 2500 Coolidge Road, East Lansing, MI 48823
Discounted Rate: $119/night

To reserve a room, please call call (517) 324-2072 and mention the discount code: DDC or book online through: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/booknowforhamptoninneastlansingddconf2025/

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine adheres to the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Be an exhibitor for our Annual Developmental Disabilities Conference!

Exhibitor Levels
Premium Sponsor       
General Sponsorship  

The deadline for order commitment is 4/1/2025 at 6 PM or until we reach capacity.

What’s Included in Each Exhibitor Level?

Exhibitor Package – Premium Sponsorship
For-Profit Organization: $500.00
Non-Profit Organization: $250.00

Includes:
-An 8ft table and two chairs in the Exhibitor’s Hall
-Day before set-up anytime between 4:00-7:00 p.m.
-Breakfasts, lunches, and refreshments during the conference for two people per day
-Access for two exhibitors to attend the conference keynote and breakout sessions
-Manage exhibitor profile and content in Conference App
-Logo displayed as a Premium Sponsor in attendee brochure and Conference App
-Optional 5-minute presentation about your organization during lunch (up to four available per day; first-come, first-served)

Exhibitor Package – General Sponsorship
For-Profit Organization: $250.00
Non-Profit Organization: $125.00

Includes:
- An 8ft table and one chair in the Exhibitor’s Hall
-Day-of conference set-up between 6:30 – 8:00 a.m. (breakfast starts at 7:30)
-Breakfasts, lunches, and refreshments during the conference for one person per day
-Access for one exhibitor to attend the conference keynote and breakout sessions
-Manage exhibitor profile and content in Conference App
-Logo displayed as a General Sponsor in attendee brochure and Conference App

Have Questions?
Contact Laura Counterman, DD Conference Coordinator
Email: [email protected]