Speaker’s Bureau

As part of our commitment to our core values: advocacy, best practice, high expectation and positive public relations, the Ability Center has a cadre of speakers available to share their thoughts on a number of topics.

Should your class, group or organization wish to have a better understanding of the role of the Ability Center, the Independent Living Philosophy, Disability in community or as a culture, please contact: Dan Wilkins, Manager of Public Relations, at 419.885.5733 or 866.885.5733 (Toll-free) or by email at: dwilkins@abilitycenter.org.

SPEAKERS

Dan Wilkins

Dan Wilkins - Aside from being Manager of Public Relations for ACT, a dad, husband, friend, chair-user, artist, writer, graphic designer, humorist, Brown’s fan and a million other things, Dan Wilkins, is an outspoken advocate, story teller and visionary for people living with disabilities and the culture to which they belong. Since 1989, he has been sharing stories and ideas in workshops, breakouts, keynotes and roundtables, formal and informal, for students from pre-school (tough crowd) to doctorate, parents, professionals in business, human service and allied health, educators and administrators, and folks with disabilities on a broad range of topics from disability and diversity awareness, advocacy and self-advocacy, to the importance of humor, inclusion, community and seeing through bigger eyes.

For professional affiliations, credentials or more information, please contact The Ability Center.

Ash Lemons

Ash Lemons - Director of The Ability Center’s Housing Resource Center, has, since 2002, been a nationally-known speaker on topics concerning Accessibility Guidelines and the ADA, Universal Design, Voting Place Accommodation, “Home Choice” and Visitability.

For professional affiliations, credentials or more information, please contact The Ability Center.

Shelley Papenfuse – Shelley Papenfuse is a Disability Rights Advocate for the Ability Center of Greater Toledo. She has worked for the Ability Center for eighteen years and is a frequent lecturer at state and local colleges on disability legislation and the inclusion of people with disabilities. Ms. Papenfuse, is certified by the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Trainer.

Ms. Papenfuse is a native Toledoan and an alumna of the University of Toledo. She is the recipient of the Toledo Distinguished Community Leadership Award by Leadership Toledo for her advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities and the Community Advocacy Award – Access to Justice, presented by Adovcates for Basic Legal Equality, Legal Aid of NorthWestern Ohio, and the Toledo Bar Association. Ms. Papenfuse is also a 2004 Milestones: Tribute to Women Honoree in Education for her work, in helping to create The Disability Studies Program at The University of Toledo.

She currently serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) and Bethany House. She is also a member of The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council and is Chairperson for The Governor’s Ohio Olmstead Taskforce.

For professional affiliations, credentials or more information, please contact The Ability Center.