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Keynote Speaker, Keri Gray, took to the stage on Day Two as she discussed accessibility, intersectionality, and inclusivity as she inspired the crowd.

By Lauren Tilghman

More than 200 professionals, advocates, policymakers, service providers, and community partners gathered in Harrisburg September 9-10th for Inglis’ 2026 Opening Doors Together Housing Conference, bringing together perspectives from across Pennsylvania to explore what comes next for accessible and affordable housing.

This year’s theme, “opening the doors to what’s next,” challenged attendees to think beyond simply creating more housing. As Inglis President and CEO Dyann Roth shared in her opening letter, truly inclusive housing means considering who can enter a home, move through it, afford it, and live there with dignity, independence, and choice. It also means ensuring accessibility and inclusion are part of Pennsylvania’s housing future from the very beginning. 

Attendees had various opportunities for Q+As throughout the conference.

Across two days, attendees explored how policy, design, partnerships, services, data, and technology can work together to make that vision possible. Sessions addressed some of the most pressing—and often interconnected—challenges facing communities today. Topics ranged from fair housing protections and renter preparation; to supportive housing models, furniture poverty, zoning and development barriers, and public-private partnerships. Attendees also explored practical approaches to aging in place, landlord engagement, supportive housing options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the use of data to improve housing outcomes. 

Technology was another important thread throughout the Conference. Sessions examined how smart technology can support cognition and independence for older adults, as well as how low-cost smart home devices can be incorporated into home modification programs. These conversations reflected a central idea from the conference’s opening message— when paired with accessible design and thoughtful supports, assistive and enabling technology can give people greater control over where and how they live. 

That theme took center stage during the Policy Panel, “The Future of Housing and Technology: Might Tech Be the Key to Unlock Access & Options?” Moderated by Gabrielle Sedor, Chief Operations Officer of ANCOR, the panel featured Juliet Marsala of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Office of Long-Term Living; Jeremy Yale of the Office of Developmental Programs; and Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. The discussion explored how technology, housing policy, accessibility, and service systems can work together to expand housing options and independence for Pennsylvanians. 

The TechOWL team (center) poses with Inglis President & CEO, Dyann M. Roth, and Director of Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, Leah Marmo, after being awarded the Inaugural People's Choice Award.

The evening continued with the Enabled Home Showcase, featuring five organizations demonstrating how technology is transforming home environments for people with disabilities and older adults— Inglis, KenCrest, UPMC Assist+, the University of Pittsburgh Healthy Home Laboratory, and Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities TechOWL program took top honors as the 2026 showcase winner. The conference also featured remarks from leaders across Pennsylvania’s housing and advocacy communities and a keynote from disability advocate and entrepreneur Keri Gray, whose work centers on creating more equitable and inclusive communities. 

Ultimately, Opening Doors Together 2026 reinforced that no single organization, policy, technology, or program can solve Pennsylvania’s housing challenges alone. Progress depends on bringing together diverse experiences, challenging old assumptions, sharing what works, and building partnerships that move ideas into action. Thank you to every speaker, presenter, sponsor, exhibitor, attendee, and partner who helped make this year’s conference possible. We look forward to building on the connections, ideas, and momentum sparked in Harrisburg—and continuing to open doors together across Pennsylvania.