Beth Stoffmacher, Founder
Consultant, Trainer, Disability Specialist
I am a consultant and certified facilitator and mentor trainer in the Technology of Participation (ToP) Methods, dedicated to creating inclusive, accessible, and highly participatory spaces where every voice matters.
Beyond strategic planning and organizational process facilitation, I teach Technology of Participation (ToP) Facilitation Methods: practical, structured tools that help leaders and teams collaborate and make decisions together. My courses train professionals to design meetings and group processes where every voice can be heard and every participant, regardless of disability or learning style, is genuinely included.
What I do
Empowering Your Team
TRAIN
facilitators, educators, and teams in ToP Facilitation Methods and inclusive design — so they can run accessible meetings and workshops themselves.
FACILITATE
strategic planning sessions, board processes, and group decision-making directly for organizations that want it done right the first time.
PREPARE
SELF- ADVOCATES
people with disabilities stepping into board seats, committees, and leadership roles — with the tools to participate fully, not just be present.
Experience
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Certified facilitator and mentor trainer, Technology of Participation (ToP) Methods
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Co-chair, ToP Network Board of Directors (since January 2024)
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30 years at the UCLA Tarjan Center, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
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Clients include SWHPN, CPAD, Washington Center for Nursing, UCLA Tarjan Center, FoodWorks, and the University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development
Approach
I believe in the value of participatory and accessible facilitation. ​
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People describe my style as engaging, authentic, inclusive, and compassionate. I don't treat accessibility as an add-on, rather, it's built into the design of every session from the start, using ToP's structured methods (Focused Conversation, Consensus Workshop, and Action Planning) to make sure every voice, regardless of communication style or disability, actually shapes the outcome.​
What is ToP ?
Technology of Participation (ToP) is a set of structured facilitation methods developed by the Institute of Cultural Affairs designed to engage diverse groups, minimize conflict, and build genuine consensus. It empowers teams to collaboratively solve problems, brainstorm, and plan without hierarchical top-down direction.
ToP relies on three core techniques to guide groups through a natural progression of thinking:
Focused Conversation (ORID): This method structures dialogue to draw out the group's thoughts without leading them to a predetermined answer. It follows a four-step framework:
Consensus Workshop: This approach enables a group of any size to build consensus on a complex issue without relying on traditional voting. It allows every voice to be heard and synthesizes diverse ideas.
Action Planning: Once a group has a shared vision and agreement, this method helps break ideas down into executable, manageable tasks. It requires the team to identify:
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ToP methodologies are heavily used in organizational development, strategic planning, and community engagement because they guarantee every voice is acknowledged and build deep, long-term commitment to the decisions made.
Not sure what your company needs?
Get In Touch with Beth
• Develop a shared understanding across your organization through authentic, participatory conversations that are inclusive and accessible for individuals with all disabilities.
• Create meaningful core values and vision statements that inspire collective, aligned action and measurable outcomes.