A Summerville man who has spent much of his life advocating for people with disabilities and demonstrating that physical challenges do not have to limit personal achievement is preparing to take a major step in his public speaking career.

Spann Cordle will be a speaker at the 2026 Abilities Without Limits Conference & Expo on Friday, October 30, at the Dalton Convention Center. The appearance will mark his first major conference presentation, an accomplishment he hopes will lead to additional speaking opportunities.

Cordle was born with cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and wears hearing aids. Throughout his life, he has navigated challenges in a world that has not always been designed with people with disabilities in mind.

Rather than allowing those challenges to define his future, Cordle has built a life centered on employment, independence, advocacy and helping others recognize their own potential.

He has spent 19 years working at Walmart, while also participating in disability advocacy, podcasts, media interviews and public speaking opportunities.

His accomplishments have previously received national recognition. In 2010, Cordle was recognized as an Employee of the Year by Careers & the Disabled magazine, an achievement reported at the time by WZQZ.

A Special Bond With His Service Dog

An important part of Cordle’s story has been his relationship with Finn, his service dog.

Finn has assisted Cordle with everyday tasks, including opening doors and helping him navigate his surroundings. Their partnership has also helped raise awareness about the importance of service animals and the independence they can provide to people with disabilities.

Cordle and Finn have been featured in interviews discussing their experiences, including a podcast titled Paws, Perseverance & Public Speaking: Spann Cordle’s Unstoppable Story.

The interview explored Cordle’s years of employment, the role Finn has played in his life and his growing interest in becoming a conference speaker.

Sharing A Message About Attitude And Opportunity

In announcing his upcoming presentation, Cordle explained that the Dalton conference represents something much more personal than simply delivering a speech.

He said one of the most important lessons he has learned is that the greatest barrier a person faces is sometimes not the situation they have been given, but the attitude they bring to it.

His message focuses on perseverance, independence and recognizing opportunities even when circumstances present obstacles.

Cordle has traveled, worked, advocated for others and pursued personal goals while living with cerebral palsy.

Now, he is preparing to share those experiences with a larger audience.

Although the October 30 presentation will be his first major conference speaking engagement, Cordle says he does not believe it will be his last.

For him, the conference’s name, Abilities Without Limits, represents more than an event title. It reflects the outlook he has worked to develop throughout his life.

Conference Brings Together Families, Educators And Advocates

The Abilities Without Limits Conference & Expo is organized by the Anna Shaw Children’s Institute, part of Vitruvian Health.

Previously known as the North Georgia Autism Conference, the annual event has expanded its focus to include individuals with a broader range of developmental differences and disabilities.

The conference brings together individuals with disabilities, families, educators, healthcare professionals, advocates and organizations that provide support services.

Educational sessions will address subjects including independent living, employment, education, healthcare, advocacy and community inclusion.

The featured keynote speaker will be Tanner Smith, known for his appearance on the Netflix series Love on the Spectrum. His mother, Nicci Smith, is also scheduled to participate.

The conference will also provide opportunities for participants to connect with organizations offering resources and assistance to people with disabilities and their families.

Conference Scheduled For October 30 In Dalton

The 2026 Abilities Without Limits Conference & Expo is scheduled for Friday, October 30, at the Dalton Convention Center, located at 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway in Dalton.

A free community resource fair will be held from 10 AM until 11:30 AM, allowing members of the public to visit participating organizations without purchasing a conference ticket.

Registration is required to attend the conference presentations.

Additional information and registration details are available through Vitruvian Health’s Anna Shaw Children’s Institute.

For Cordle, the event represents an opportunity to share the lessons of a lifetime while encouraging others to pursue their own ambitions.

After nearly two decades in the workforce and years of disability advocacy, the Summerville resident is preparing to take the stage with a message that personal determination and opportunity can extend far beyond the limitations others may perceive.

Sources:

• Vitruvian Health — 2026 Abilities Without Limits Conference & Expo announcement and registration information.
• Spann Cordle — Public announcement regarding his October 30 conference presentation.
• Paws, Perseverance & Public Speaking: Spann Cordle’s Unstoppable Story — Podcast interview published August 30, 2026.
• WZQZ Radio / ChattoogaInfo — October 27, 2010, coverage of Spann Cordle’s recognition by Careers & the Disabled magazine.
• Dalton Convention Center — Event location information.