Presenters

Joslynn Bigelow is a nonprofit leader, disability advocate, educator, and adaptive sport leader who serves as president and chair of the United Adaptive Soccer Association (UASA). She has more than 13 years of professional experience working in disability advocacy and inclusive programming on fields, courts, in classrooms, clinics, and the community at large. 

Bigelow has worked across adaptive soccer programs and pathways including recreational programming with TOPSoccer and Special Olympics, event organization with U.S. Association of Blind Athletes and Amputee Soccer, and coached internationally with CP Soccer U.S. Club National Team and was the head coach for the first Down Syndrome Futsal. She has also played a role in developing Dwarf Soccer and supported Power Chair Soccer regionally and nationally, continuing to expand her reach. A recent undertaking with UASA includes getting persons with disabilities into roles of leadership by way of coach and referee education, with specialized instruction and targeted marketing. 

Her work has been recognized nationally, including the 2024 U.S. Soccer Carla Overbeck Leadership Award and the U.S. Soccer ADAPTandTHRIVE Disability Award. Bigelow brings a critical perspective on person-centered programming, inclusive coaching, language, representation, and the importance of building sustainable systems rather than relying on individual champions.