Accessible Rural Communities
Solutions Roundtable
November 18, 2025 | 12:30–3:30 p.m. MT | Live via Zoom
Free — bring your ideas, questions and commitment!
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How can rural communities ensure that residents of all ages and abilities can live, work, and thrive? Join us for the next WeCAN Solutions Roundtable on Accessible Rural Communities to hear stories and strategies from across the West—and to connect with peers in interactive discussions where you can share your own experiences and ideas. Cohosted by the Western Rural Development Center — welcome aboard, WRDC!​
More About the Roundtable
Creating rural communities where everyone can thrive means ensuring access for people of all ages and abilities. From housing and transportation to outdoor recreation and community decision-making, accessibility is essential for building welcoming, resilient places. The Accessible Rural Communities Solutions Roundtable will explore how rural communities across the West are advancing accessibility—addressing the needs of people with physical disabilities, older adults aging in place, neurodiverse residents, and others who benefit from access assistance.
The roundtable will feature keynote speaker Jeremy Maxand—a disability advocate, former Alaska mayor, director of the Living Independence Network Corporation, and board member of the Idaho Access Project. Drawing on his lived experience as a wheelchair user and his leadership in community accessibility, Jeremy will highlight both the challenges rural communities face and the opportunities they have to lead the way in inclusive design and policy.
In addition to the keynote and solution stories from rural communities across the western region, the program will feature interactive breakout sessions where participants can connect with peers, exchange ideas, and discuss practical approaches in more depth. Come ready to share your own insights—and leave with new connections, fresh perspectives, and strategies you can put to work in your own community.
Open to all rural change makers, no matter where you’re from. Join us if you live in, work with, serve or care about accessible rural communities!
About our keynote speaker, Jeremy Maxend
Jeremy Maxand is the Executive Director of the Living Independence Network Corporation, or LINC, one of Idaho’s three Centers for Independent Living. Jeremy grew up in a small island community in Southeast Alaska and has used a manual wheelchair since 1989. He moved to Idaho in the early nineties to attend Boise State University, where he earned undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice Administration and Sociology, and a graduate degree is Applied Historical Research. Jeremy holds a certificate from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute, and from the University of Missouri’s College of Human & Environmental Sciences, School of Architectural Studies, ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program. Jeremy has more than twenty years of nonprofit management experience, and 10 years in executive leadership. He serves on several committees and boards, including the Ada County Highway District ADA Advisory Committee, the State of Idaho Building Code Board, the Idaho Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Board, the Idaho State Independent Living Council, and the Idaho Access Project Board. In addition to his work at LINC, he has been an adjust faculty instructor of sociology at Boise State University for the past 17 years.
What to Expect
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Keynote insights from Jeremy Maxand on advancing accessibility in rural places.
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Solution stories shared by rural communities across the West, highlighting practical projects and partnerships that improve accessibility in housing, transportation, outdoor recreation, and more.
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Interactive breakout discussions where you can connect with peers, share your own experiences, and explore practical strategies in greater depth.
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Ideas and inspiration you can take back to your community to support accessibility for people of all ages and abilities.
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Connections with rural changemakers from across the West and beyond who are working toward more inclusive and welcoming communities.
Who Should Attend
This roundtable is designed for anyone working to make rural communities more inclusive and accessible, including:
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Community leaders, local officials, and planners
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Nonprofits, service providers, and advocacy organizations
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Health, housing, and transportation professionals
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Parks, recreation, and tourism leaders
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Educators and youth-serving organizations
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Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers who want to share their perspective
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Rural residents and changemakers who care about building communities where everyone belongs
Partners & Sponsors
This event is co-hosted by the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) and the Western Community Assessment Network (WeCAN). Together, we are committed to bringing rural leaders, organizations, and residents together to share practical solutions and strengthen communities across the West.
