- You can reach me via the Disability Justice email and access line. access@ussf2010.org (248) 956-0354
Lifelong advocate for the disabled, with broad background and experience in empowering and creating new opportunities for people with disabilities. Over 25 years of experience in both professional and volunteer positions spanning all facets of the disability community. Demonstrated creativity and results orientation in marshaling diverse resources and solving real-world problems in both governmental and non-profit roles. Proven leadership in building coalitions and communities that span organizational and disability boundaries. Expert in ADA compliance, self-advocacy, sexuality and disability, systems change. Self-motivated, with extensive experience delivering complex projects and managing a diverse workload.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- September 2008- present Grant funded Consultant as Inclusive Arts Coordinator, VSA arts of Michigan
Inclusive arts services and career forum event planning for a non-profit organization that promotes the creative power in people with disabilities, and works to create a society where people with disabilities participate in, learn through, excel in and enjoy the arts. Conducted telephone focus groups with artists with disabilities throughout the state to determine what they needed to support their career goals. Planned workshops and found a venue to display their work in response to results. Created a document to help local arts organizations determine their needs to improve accessible programming and with it provided local resources to acquire needed skills or equipment.
- September 2008- present Grant funded consultant as Inclusive Arts Network Coordinator, Matrix Theatre, Inc.
Was instrumental in revising policies related to providing full disability access to theatre productions, especially related to people with cognitive disabilities and challenging behavioral issues related to their disability. Conducted focus groups at local organizations serving a variety of specific disability populations, including club houses, group homes, and senior day centers. Created an online questionnaire for cultural arts organizations to identity the disability accommodations they provide, which will become part of an online database for consumer use.
- July 2001-present Consultant, ADA Coordinator, City of Dearborn, MI
Ensure that city programs and services comply with the ADA. Review all city plans/projects for ADA compliance and consult on optimal ways to cost-effectively meet the needs of the disability community and comply with the law. Implemented grant-funded projects to make Commission meetings and website more accessible using assistive technology and accessible web design techniques. Provide inservice training regarding disability sensitivity, TTYs, service animals, and ADA accommodations. Braille documents required for all city functions, including water & tax bills. Coordinate between the city and the Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns, including managing commission meetings, agendas, researching community needs, and aligning city resources with community priorities. Commission webmaster. Plan and execute Commission events including Dearborn Disability Awareness Day with limited budgets, spanning a cross-disability constituency.
- January 2004- 2009 Director, Reel Life
- A Disability Film Festival
Established “Reel Life: A Disability Film Festival”. Plan and execute the festival yearly. Have shown over 100 international films to the local community in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2009 building disability awareness and celebrating empowerment for people with disabilities.
- January 2003- January 2007 Consultant, ADA Coordinator, Disability Network / Wayne County
Provide expert information on the American's with Disability Act to local businesses and individuals with disabilities. Teach classes and present on self-advocacy, systems advocacy, and disability history. Plan and execute community focus groups that drive the program agenda of the CIL.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
- 2009 – present Commissioner, Michigan Rehabilitation Council
- 2009 – present Disability Justice Committee, United States Social Forum
- 2007 – present Board Member, United Cerebral Palsy-Detroit
- 2006 – present Moderator, Society for Disability Studies listserv
- August 2005-present Founder, Katrina Disability Crisis Information Site
- Conceived of and built a disaster preparedness website initially for Hurricane Katrina survivors with
disabilities, and then expanded to cover disability disaster preparedness nationwide. Recognized as an authoritative site for disability related disaster preparedness by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and other U.S. Government agencies. http://www.katrinadisability.info
OTHER EXPERIENCE
- 2008 – present Guardian to 18 year old niece
- My niece is a person with learning disabilities and severe mental health issues and will live with
me until she is ready to live independently.
- 1983 – present Adoptive parent to 26 year old son with Down syndrome
- Manage and support son's micro-enterprise selling tshirts, buttons, and bumper stickers with
empowering disability messages. (http://www.Teddysts.com) Advocated for his inclusionary education from kindergarten onwards. Researched and purchased home both physically accessible and well-suited to providing a long-term supported independent lifestyle for son.
AUTHOR & PRESENTER (recent selections only)
- Disabled-Soapbox Blog and website portal. http://www.disabled-soapbox.info
- “The Name for a child with a Disability” in Sticks and Stone: Disabled People's Stories of Abuse,
- Defiance, and Resilience, edited by Marsha Saxton, World Institute on Disability Press, 2009.
- Inclusive education, sexuality, and developmental disabilities, Society for the Scientific Study of
- Sexuality, San Juan, PR, November 4, 2008.
- A Boy’s Dream, a Young Man’s Business, IN-APSE Conference in Indianapolis, IN. December 4, 2007.
EDUCATION
- M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Studies, School of Education, College of Counseling
and Human Services, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 2001. Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
- B.S. Psychology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 1998.
- B.Ph. Social Issues and Special Education, Thomas Jefferson College, Grand Valley State University,
Allendale, MI, 1975.
AWARDS
- Disability Advocate of the Year, Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns, 206.
- World Institute on Disability, Advocacy & Public Policy Advocate of the Year, 2006. Received award
in recognition of developing disability focused websites and grassroots community activism.
- First Prize - Student Competition, National Rehabilitation Council – 2001.
- Winner of Masters Prize for Excellence in Scholarship and Research, Syracuse University, 2001.
- La Fuerza Community Enhancement Award - Syracuse University – 2000.