Jonathan Heider Laedtke

Paralympic Athlete; DEI Leadership Speaker & Accessibility Consultant

Travels From Travels From:
Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Jonathan Heider Laedtke Biography

Born during the Croatian Civil War of Independence (1991-1995), Jonathan Heider Laedtke was placed in an orphanage at birth. During this time, a Catholic nun from Green Bay, Wisconsin, was on a mission trip to Split, Croatia, to assist refugee children separated from their parents. Knowing a family back in Green Bay who might be open to adopting, she reached out to them, describing a little boy with no arms and no legs and asking if they wanted him. Without hesitation and sight unseen, they responded with a resounding "Yes!"

A few years later, Heider Laedtke was a high-energy kid in small-town Wisconsin, eager to be like his older siblings, who all had their own sports. He soon plunged into athletics, quickly finding a passion for swimming. This led him to compete nationally and internationally in events such as Junior Nationals, Junior Worlds, Worlds, Pan-American Games, Canadian Open, and Greek Open, among others.

In 2010, Heider Laedtke joined the resident team at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he trained full-time as a Paralympic swimmer. There, he began educating and advocating on accessibility, diversity, and inclusion through speeches, workshops, and events. After narrowly missing the 2012 Paralympic Games team for London, England, he decided to enroll in college.

In 2014, to further his advocacy and education on diversity and inclusion, Heider Laedtke signed with a public speaking agency from Minnesota called The College Agency. This allowed him to speak at colleges and universities through their speaker series and TED-style events.

Heider Laedtke graduated in 2017 with high honors from UW-Milwaukee with a degree in architecture and a minor in real estate development. From May 2017 through June 2020, he worked at local architecture firms in Milwaukee, specializing in construction documents, space planning, rendering, marketing proposals, website development, and interior design, while continuing his public speaking on the side.

In January 2020, Heider Laedtke launched his own company, Split Star Productions, offering keynote speeches and diversity and inclusion workshops to colleges, universities, nonprofits, and companies of various sizes. His keynotes and workshops focus on leadership development, accessibility, disabilities, wellness, and inclusion, providing strategies for inclusive social media, office environments, and daily language to reach untapped audiences.

Today, Jonathan Heider Laedtke continues his mission advocating for diversity, inclusion, and accessibility alongside his passion for leadership development. He looks forward to connecting with others and finding ways to improve the community.

Jonathan Heider Laedtke Speaking Topics

  • Building Resilience Through Innovation

    Invite your team to experience an inspiring keynote speech where I share captivating stories from my own life. As a congenital quad amputee, seasoned Paralympic swimmer, and accessibility designer, I offer a unique and worldly perspective. My journey is a testament to finding innovative and out-of-the-box solutions to overcome any obstacle. Guided by my mission of “Using What You’ve Got” and “Components of You,” I illustrate that we are all more than any single characteristic. Let my determination and unique outlook serve as a model for your team’s success.

    Workshop: Built inside of the keynote, transform your team’s potential with our dynamic and inspiring workshop, designed to reflect on pivotal life moments. Participants will engage in thought-provoking activities and move around the room, exploring new perspectives and delving into their own experiences. They’ll set realistic personal and professional goals, fostering growth and self-discovery. Microphones stationed around the room provide a unique opportunity for individuals to share their insights, inspiring others in a supportive and safe space. This powerful exercise promises to energize your team and ignite their passion for success.

    Key Takeaways:

    Overcoming Obstacles: Participants will be inspired by real-life stories of creativity and determination, learning how to overcome challenges by leveraging their strengths and unique qualities.

    Leadership Development: The program will provide insights into becoming a more effective and well-rounded leader by focusing on self-awareness and the “Components of You” approach.

    Personal Reflection: Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on pivotal life moments, gaining a deeper understanding of their own journey and how it can fuel future success.

    Goal Setting and Growth: The interactive workshop will help participants set realistic personal and professional goals, offering a clear path toward continuous growth and achievement.

    Empowerment and Team Motivation: By celebrating resilience and the power of using what you’ve got, the program will energize and motivate your team to reach new heights, both individually and collectively.

  • Universally Accepted - Digital Accessibility For All

    Elevate your event with a custom program designed to create a deeper understanding of digital accessibility and universal design for users with diverse disabilities. I will guide your audience through key principles, addressing common misconceptions and providing actionable insights on building a digital footprint that is accessible to all. This in-depth session covers the use of SEO strategies and keywords to foster inclusivity, while exploring crucial elements like imagery color, terminology, text, backend development, and universal website design. Through engaging personal stories and interactive discussions, your team will leave equipped to build a more inclusive online presence.

    Intended Audience: The intended audience for this program includes professionals and teams responsible for creating and managing digital content, websites, and online platforms. This could include web developers, designers, marketing teams, content creators, accessibility advocates, and decision-makers in industries where digital presence is crucial. It is particularly suited for those looking to enhance their understanding of digital accessibility and universal design principles to ensure inclusivity for users with diverse disabilities. Whether your team is focused on SEO strategies, backend development, or user experience, this program is designed to provide actionable insights that will help them build a more accessible and

    Key Takeaways:

    1) Comprehensive Disability Awareness: Participants will gain a thorough understanding of various types of disabilities, including common misconceptions and essential background information.

    2) Digital Accessibility Best Practices: The program will teach how to create an accessible digital footprint by addressing key aspects such as SEO strategies, appropriate terminology, and imagery color for inclusivity.

    3) Inclusive Communication: Attendees will learn respectful ways to approach individuals with disabilities, understanding the importance of both inclusive and exclusionary language within the disability community.

    4) Universal Design Principles: The program delves into website design fundamentals, covering text, backend development, and universal design concepts to ensure accessibility for all users.

    5) Engaging and Personal Learning: Through personal stories and open discussions, participants will leave with not only technical knowledge but also an empathetic approach to disability and accessibility.

  • The Power of Universal Design: Transforming Spaces for All

    Invite your team to experience an insightful and empowering speech on Universal Design, where we will explore the essential principles and practices needed to create inclusive venue environments. This speech aims to equip event organizers, facility managers, designers, and advocates with the knowledge and tools to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all participants.

    Jonathan will draw from personal experiences, professional expertise, and real-world examples to illustrate the impact of universal design and accessibility. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and a deeper understanding of how to create more inclusive and welcoming venue environments for everyone.

    Key Takeaways:

    1) Inclusive Language: Understanding the importance of respectful and inclusive language when referring to disabled individuals. Tips on avoiding common pitfalls and fostering a culture of respect and dignity in all communications.

    2) Essential Spaces for Disabled Individuals: Identifying key areas within venues that must be accessible, such as seating, restrooms, sensory spaces, and entry points. Discussing the design and implementation of these spaces to ensure they meet the needs of all individuals.

    3) Inclusive Engagement Techniques: Strategies for engaging disabled individuals in all activities and events. Practical methods to ensure everyone can participate fully and comfortably, regardless of their abilities.

    4) Accessibility and Space Planning Tips: Best practices for planning and designing accessible facilities. Guidelines for layout, signage, and accommodations to enhance the overall experience for disabled participants.

Jonathan Heider Laedtke Videos

  • Jonathan Heider | Speaker Reel

FAQs on booking Jonathan Heider Laedtke

  • How do I book Jonathan Heider Laedtke to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jonathan Heider Laedtke for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Jonathan Heider Laedtke, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Jonathan Heider Laedtke or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Jonathan Heider Laedtke

    Speaking fees for Jonathan Heider Laedtke, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jonathan Heider Laedtke are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jonathan Heider Laedtke, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Jonathan Heider Laedtke speak about?

    Jonathan Heider Laedtke is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include DEI, Disability, Diversity & Inclusion, Government, Immigration, Leadership, Paralympics, Resilience.
  • Where does Jonathan Heider Laedtke travel from?

    Jonathan Heider Laedtke generally travels from Milwaukee, WI, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Jonathan Heider Laedtke’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Jonathan Heider Laedtke for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Jonathan Heider Laedtke for your next private or corporate function.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jonathan Heider Laedtke or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
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    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Jonathan Heider Laedtke is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Building Resilience Through Innovation, Universally Accepted - Digital Accessibility For All and The Power of Universal Design: Transforming Spaces for All. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jonathan Heider Laedtke for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Jonathan Heider Laedtke generally travels from Milwaukee, WI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Katy Sullivan, Dr. Michael Time, Hitesh Ramchandani, Alycia Anderson and Shani Dhanda. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jonathan Heider Laedtke for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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