On March 25th, 2026, Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1) hosted its annual Disability Awareness Summit at the PennWest California campus. The event brought together students from five local school districts for a day focused on empowerment, career exploration, and personal growth.
The summit opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Kristin Szewczyk, IU1 Assistant Executive Director. Dr. Szewczyk emphasized the importance of self-advocacy and the value of building a strong support network as students prepare for life after graduation.
Following the opening remarks, students participated in a vendor showcase featuring organizations dedicated to supporting individuals of all ages. This interactive session allowed students to:
- Meet with representatives from various service providers.
- Ask targeted questions about community resources.
- Learn about specific programs designed to help individuals with disabilities thrive at every stage of life.
The morning continued with two engaging breakout sessions, where students dived deeper into specific topics related to independence and accessibility before breaking for lunch.
The highlight of the afternoon was a keynote address by Miles Taylor, a renowned digital artist, photographer, and content creator from Maryland. Known across social media as "Smiles Taylor," Miles shared his personal story of being born in Vietnam, being adopted into an American family, and living with Cerebral Palsy.
Miles spoke about how he discovered his passion for digital art and photography after attending Carroll Community College. His message to the students was clear: disabilities do not define potential. He encouraged the audience to find their own creative outlets and to use their unique talents to bring joy to the world, just as he does through his freelance work and content creation.
The day concluded with a final breakout session, allowing students to reflect on the insights gained from the vendors and Miles Taylor’s inspiring journey.
Intermediate Unit 1 extends its sincere thanks to PennWest California for once again hosting this vital event. Their continued partnership ensures that our students have a professional and welcoming environment to explore their futures and build lasting connections within the community.
