The Harkin Institute

10/06/2026

Daniel is making sure that everyone has the same goal in the office: let’s make this year’s Harkin Summit great!

(And, don’t worry, Daniel’s Dance Mom persona only came out for the camera.)

We are so excited for The Summit and hope you join us online on October 21st and 22nd.

If you haven’t registered for The virtual Harkin Summit yet, be sure to do so using the link in our bio or at harkinsummit.org.

[VD: In the first scene, Daniel, The Director of Disability Policy, a white man with short brown hair, wearing a gray suit jacket, a dark blue Harkin Institute shirt, gray slacks, and black and white sneakers, is in the Institute’s atrium, standing and holding a clipboard in front of Institute interns, Mara, Kaci, and Stasia, who are sitting on a bench. He lip syncs to a sound that says “Whether it takes two hours or four hours, I don’t care.” As he speaks, he walks down the line in front of where the interns are sitting, moving closer to the camera.
In the second scene, the camera is focused primarily on Daniel, who has flipped the clipboard over and shows the paper on it which reads “HARKIN SUMMIT TO-DO LIST” in large black font. He taps the clipboard with his pen and lip syncs to the sound “You’re part of this team. You’re staying until this routine is clean,” referring to preparing for The Harkin Summit. The Harkin Interns’ heads are shown nodding to what Daniel is saying. Throughout the video, there are captions that show what Daniel is lip syncing to.]

10/06/2026

We’re proud to announce Inclusion by Design, a new collaboration between The Harkin Institute, Value Inclusion, Inc., and Clear Vision LLC to help municipalities and organizations create more accessible digital experiences.

Value Inclusion, Inc. is led by Ashlea Lantz and Bob Ludke, both Senior Fellows at The Harkin Institute.

“At its heart, digital accessibility is about fulfilling the fundamental promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Senator Tom Harkin (retired). “Inclusion by Design is about more than checking boxes. It is a demonstration of an organization’s commitment to creating a more inclusive society.”

The initiative combines policy expertise, strategic guidance, and lived experience to provide digital accessibility auditing, user testing, staff training, and customized roadmaps to help organizations move beyond compliance toward meaningful inclusion.

Together, we’re working to make digital spaces more accessible for everyone. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4y8nwxZ

10/06/2026

Meet Bob Ludke, Disability Policy Senior Fellow at The Harkin Institute.

Bob partners with public and private-sector organizations to advance competitive integrated employment, scale universal design, and make the world more accessible for everyone.

We’re proud to have Bob leading this important work to create more inclusive workplaces and communities.

10/05/2026

Meet Ashlea Lantz, Disability Policy Senior Fellow at The Harkin Institute.

With more than 20 years of experience in disability employment, Ashlea brings expertise in vocational rehabilitation, Medicaid services, benefits planning, and inclusive employment practices.

Her work helps businesses and organizations create accessible workplaces while expanding opportunities for competitive integrated employment. She also serves as an adjunct instructor in Drake University’s Rehabilitation Counseling Program.

We’re proud to have Ashlea advancing practical, inclusive solutions that benefit both employers and people with disabilities.

10/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Fall 2026 Sussman Lecture, hosted in partnership with Anawim Housing.

We were honored to welcome Brian Goldstone, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America.

A timely and thought-provoking conversation about housing, work, and the future of our cities.

10/02/2026

We’re happy to welcome back renowned political analyst and commentator Charlie Cook for an engaging conversation on the latest developments shaping American politics, elections, and public policy.

🎫 An Evening with Charlie Cook
📅 Wednesday, November 11, 2026
📍 Drake University
💻 Register to attend in-person or online https://bit.ly/3TsWUJK

10/02/2026

October is National Disability Employment Month! 🎉

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” recognizes the skills, experience, perspectives, and contributions people with disabilities bring to workplaces and communities across the country.

Join us virtually for the 2026 Harkin Summit, “Leveraging the Legacy of the ADA.”

Together, we’ll reflect on the progress made since the Americans with Disabilities Act and explore how we can build on that legacy to create more inclusive workplaces and employment opportunities.

📅 Join us for the 2026 Harkin Summit!

Learn more and register at harkinsummit.org

10/01/2026

It’s time for another Student Staff Spotlight!

This week, we are highlighting Kaci Brannan, our new Undergraduate Communications Associate who started working with us at the beginning of this semester.

When Kaci isn’t working at the Institute or on schoolwork, she enjoys napping, eating poke bowls, watching Gossip Girl, and being a member of the US Air Force.

When she is working on schoolwork, you can most likely find her at Northern Vessel, which is her favorite study spot.

We are so excited to be working with Kaci!

[VD: Stasia, a white woman with shoulder-length curly red hair, wearing a pink and white striped long-sleeved shirt over a gray tank top and dark wash jeans, interviews Kaci, a white woman with long curly blonde hair, wearing a gray long-sleeve shirt and brown jumpsuit. They are on the second floor of the Institute, with a blue and gray couch behind them.
Stasia asks Kaci to share her Drake intro, how long she has worked with the Institute and what her role is, what she is liking about the Institute so far, and what skills she is excited to learn while working at the Institute.]

09/30/2026

Last month, we brought together experts and community leaders (and one very good boi) to discuss the future of Social Security—and how we can strengthen it for generations to come.

As the nation’s primary retirement security pillar, Social Security provides guaranteed lifetime income protected from inflation for eligible beneficiaries. The conversation explored how we can build on that foundation and ensure Social Security remains a strong and enduring promise of security for future generations.

Missed the discussion? Watch the full conversation and learn more about the path forward for Social Security here: https://bit.ly/4hgZFH8

09/29/2026

Add this event to your calendar! You can register now for the IowAbility Fair, which will be a day of fun for families and individuals with spina bifida, spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders, and mobility impairments. The event is co-hosted by the Spina Bifida Association of Iowa and the Iowa Chapter - United Spinal Association and will take place on Saturday, October 3 from 10 AM - 3 PM at the Easterseals Iowa campus in Des Moines. There will be a "Walk & Roll" that will kick off the event and afterwards there will be plenty of fun activities and vendors with disabilities to check out. The event is free, but be sure to register using this link!

Home HELP US CELEBRATE OUR 5TH ANNIVERSARY! Saturday, October 3, 2026 IowAbility Fair offers a unique experience for individuals and families affected by spinal cord injury, spina bifida, other neurological disorders and mobility impairments. Participants can enjoy adaptive sports and recreation act...