Strategic Hope: Advocacy in Action

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions

October 17–19, 2026 | Brea, CA

The following session descriptions represent the planned educational program for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, session content, presenters, schedules, and locations remain subject to change.

For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance

Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending for all sessions for CEUs.

Code of Conduct:
All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests are expected to uphold the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct.
To review the Code, view it here.

Note on Non-ATRA Activities:

Please note that any events or activities not listed in the official ATRA SoCal program are independently organized and not affiliated or sponsored by ATRA. ATRA is not responsible for independently coordinated events, meetups or activities not articulated in this program. Individuals interested in non-ATRA sponsored activities should contact their respective organizations directly for details.

Session Description

Advocacy is often fueled by passion—but sustained impact requires strategy, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose. Strategic Hope: Advocacy in Action explores how individuals and recreational therapists together can transform hope into tangible progress in advocacy for people with disabilities. This session highlights the power of aligning personal values with collective action, demonstrating how everyday advocates—professionals, caregivers, and community members—can influence systems, policies, and perceptions. This session examines how strategic thinking strengthens advocacy efforts, prevents burnout, and builds momentum over time. Attendees will learn how to leverage their unique skills, amplify diverse voices, and mobilize networks to create meaningful change. Emphasizing both individual agency and collective impact, this session invites participants to see themselves not just as supporters of a cause, but as essential drivers of a more inclusive and equitable future.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify personal and professional passions that can drive individual advocacy. 2. Describe process for individual and collective advocacy. 3. Explain a framework for aligning personal strengths with ATRA's advocacy efforts to influence change.

Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply

Target Audience

Primary Presenter

Dr. Dawn DeVries, American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)

Biographical Information

Dr. Dawn De Vries is a Professor and Program Director of Recreational Therapy at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dawn has over 30 years of experience as a clinician, director, advocate, and educator. Her background is in geriatrics, memory care and rehabilitation. She also serves as the Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Director for the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.

ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description

October 17–19, 2026

The Embassy Suites, Brea, California

2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions