Live / Beyond The Minimum Part 3: From Intent to Impact: Building a Culture of Belonging

Botten who currently works as an accessibility consultant joined the U.S. Access Board in 2000 and served for 22 years (retired in 2022) in several capacities while on staff including as a senior accessibility specialist, technical assistance coordinator, and the training coordinator. He was part of a team that developed the combined guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act and was the lead staff for the development of guidelines and technical assistance materials for the rulemaking on outdoor developed areas. Bill specializes in accessibility issues related to recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas.

Lisa Drennan has dedicated her life’s work to innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to inclusion—shaping how communities across the country welcome and support individuals of all abilities.

She began her career at New England Village, where she created the groundbreaking Sollar Wellness Center and helped develop Positive Support Techniques and Best Practices for Instructors, setting new standards for inclusive wellness and enrichment programming. Lisa went on to make history as the South Shore YMCA’s first Association Director of Inclusion, where she transformed organizational culture through program development, staff training, and systems-level change. Her leadership extended nationally as Chair of the YMCA of the USA Diverse Abilities Working Group, influencing inclusion practices across the country.

Today, Lisa is the Founder and Lead Presenter of MERGE Inclusion Consulting, bringing more than four decades of experience to organizations seeking to move beyond intention and into meaningful, sustainable inclusion. Her statewide and national impact includes serving as the primary author of the Building Friendships Toolkit for the DDS/ARC Pathways to Friendship Project, teaching Adaptive Physical Activity at UMass Boston, and delivering trainings and workshops nationwide as a nationally recognized speaker.

Lisa is a Certified Inclusivity Assessor through the Inclusive Recreation Resource Center and is widely respected for her ability to help organizations reimagine access, belonging, and participation. Her work blends deep professional expertise with lived passion—guiding communities to see inclusion not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to connect, grow, and empower.

Outside of her professional work, Lisa is an outdoor enthusiast, proud mom, devoted “grammy” to her grand-puppy, storytelling photographer, chocolate enthusiast, lover of all things Ireland, and a passionate political advocate—bringing curiosity, joy, and heart into everything she does.

Tracey Crawford is the former Executive Director at Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) and the President of Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF). Crawford’s 34 years of professional experience in parks and recreation includes Inclusion Coordinator/Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Assistant Director at Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA) in Aurora, IL; the Manager of Inclusion Services, Superintendent of Recreation, Superintendent of Development and Interim Director at Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA. Bachelor of Science degree in TR University of Iowa. A CTRS and a CPRP. Past Chairman for IPRA Board of Directors, a Past President of the branch of NRPA that was dedicated to therapeutic recreation. Serves on the IPR Foundation (IPRF) Board, the IPRA Diversity Leadership Task Force, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) as Past President and on the Illinois Recreation Therapeutic Association (ILRTA) Board as the ITRS Liaison. Was a on the Rolling Meadows Rotary Club and awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Tracey serves on the Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce Board. Crawford was awarded the Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award for Illinois Park and Recreation professionals. 

Samyuktha Neeraja is an accomplished professional with over ten years of experience in the association and nonprofit industry. Her background is in membership and chapter relations. She also holds a Certified Association Executive Credential and Master of Public Health degree. Over the years, Samyuktha volunteered in many areas of the community, focusing on advocacy work for the disability community. She has also given many speaking engagements sharing experiences as a South Asian woman with dwarfism and how organizations can create spaces where everyone can belong. Outside of work, Samyuktha enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friend