Who is WI APSE?
- APSE is a national and state membership organization that focuses exclusively on improving and advancing integrated employment opportunities, outcomes, and services for people with disabilities.
- WI APSE’s vision is for people with disabilities to achieve lives that maximize their potential and foster independence through employment and connections that positively impacts our Wisconsin workforce and communities.
- WI APSE provides trainings to ensure best practices are being shared across the state.
- WI APSE builds partnerships with organizations across Wisconsin to advocate and support employment first efforts.
- WI APSE advances employment and inclusion opportunities by educating self-advocates, families, legislators, employers, service providers and funding sources.
- WI APSE partners with stakeholders to support employment and positive life outcomes.
Join us for the 2026 Employment First Conference!
Registration is open for the 2026 Employment First Conference!
All stakeholders are encouraged to attend, including people with disabilities and their family members, service professionals, school staff, and others who support people with disabilities to achieve employment, make connections and contribute to the community.
Hotel Accommodations
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Kalahari Resort for the evening of June 1. Click here to use the booking website to reserve your room.
2026 Employment First Conference Agenda
Click here to view the conference agenda.
Meet our Keynote Speaker
Erik Nelson brings nearly 20 years of experience in the DD/IDD sector, advancing from job developer to executive leadership. At SETWorks, he serves as Executive Consultant, AI Solutions Manager, partnering with disability service providers to leverage SETWorks and SETWorks AI to strengthen performance, accelerate improvement initiatives, and expand impact.
Erik’s advocacy is personal—as a father to a child with autism, he is driven to help build systems that are more accessible, responsive, and person-centered. He helps providers translate real-world challenges into practical AI applications that reduce administrative burden and improve service delivery, documentation, and outcomes. Erik has served on the Kansas City Mayor’s Council for People with Disabilities, the Autism Society of the Heartland, and the APSE Missouri board. Outside of work, he enjoys family time, storm chasing, and cooking.
