If you want your rights respected, you need to know what they are. The ADA will be the focus, but any law that impacts your ability to have the life you deserve will be discussed.
July 31st, 2PM
Supported Decision Making, the ruling in Olmstead vs. LC furthered the scope of the ADA, however the promise conferred cannot be realized if people with disabilities do not have access to the support they need to lead self-determined lives and make their own decisions. As a result of the Olmstead decision more people with increasingly diverse disabilities are living in the community and support needs to be innovative and responsive. Supported decision making is a nimble tool that provides opportunities for people experiencing a variety of disabilities to exert control in their lives. This session will introduce the principles of supported decision-making and explore the connection to this landmark civil rights law.
John McCarty is an active self-advocate. He presents on disability issues to a wide variety of audiences throughout Georgia and the US. John is a 2019-2020 SARTAC Fellow and also works with the Georgia Advocacy Office (Georgia’s Protection and Advocacy organization) on Supported Decision Making; and he serves on their Supported Decision Making Advisory Council. Additionally, John is board member of ReClif Community, a nonprofit that aims to provide typical life experiences for individuals living with autism. He also actively participates in and was a founding member of Uniting for Change, a statewide advocacy group. John believes that all individuals with disabilities should have the opportunity and the support they need to direct all aspects of their lives.
Dana Lloyd currently serves as director of the Developmental Disabilities program at the Georgia Advocacy Office (Georgia’s Protection and Advocacy organization) and prior to that she worked with families’ combating poverty and homelessness. Her professional career began at Hope House Foundation in Norfolk, VA. During her time there, Dana provided leadership to the agency and direct support professionals as they supported people with I/DD to live in their own apartments and have access to the good things in life through valued social roles and contributing to their community. Dana is passionate about justice work and committed to building communities where we all flourish.
August 5, 2PM
ADA Title 1: Managing Your Health Condition Workplace Accommodations
Sheryl Ellis has more than 20 years of experience in human resources. She is a recognized expert in Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She has provided HR services in a variety of industries including nonprofits, communications, IT, hospitality, and manufacturing, but it was only when she herself confronted health issues did she appreciate how little she knew about workplace accommodations.
Sheryl published Making It Work: Managing Your Health Condition Through ADA Workplace Accommodations (2020).
August 7, 2PM
Service Animals – Navigating Access to Work, Education, Health Care, Housing Transportation, Public and Private Services
Amy Maes, Associate Director for Disability Network Oakland & Macomb has been working with Michigan’s Disability Community for over 22 years. Before working with DNOM, Amy served as the Leadership & Advocacy Consultant for Disability Network Michigan (DNM). Amy is also the former Director of the Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL) the CIL serving the entire Upper Peninsula. Amy is also a practicing attorney licensed in the State of Michigan and served as Director of Litigation for Michigan Protection & Advocacy Services, Inc. (MPAS).
August 14, 2PM
ADA Title II, State and Local Governments. This session will address the general non-discrimination requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applying to state and local governments. The presenters will discuss the obligations for program access, effective communication, modifications in policies and procedures along with accessibility requirements. In addition, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions.
Peter Berg, Project Coordinator of Technical Assistance Great Lakes ADA Center has been coordinating and providing technical assistance as well as conducting training on various aspects of the ADA since he joined the Great Lakes Center in October of 2000. He is a graduate of North Central College in Naperville, IL with a bachelor’s degree in History. Prior to joining the Center he spent seven years with Dominick’s Finer Foods, the last two years as a Customer Service Manager.
Peter recently served as a member of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Illinois Accessibility Code Task Force and is the former Chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Disability for the city of Naperville where he resides. Peter was a 2010 recipient of the Chancellor’s Award of Merit and former Chair of the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). In June of 2017, he completed the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program (ACTCP) through the University of Missouri- College of Human and Environmental Sciences, School of Architectural Studies.
Brad Hastings, Advocacy and ADA Coordinator
Disability Network West Michigan was hired in the spring of 2018, and has been working with disability advocates, business leaders, and local governments to improve accessibility and provide technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act throughout Disability Network West Michigan’s 5 county region. He is a graduate of Michigan State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, with a minor in Philosophy and Law. Prior to his time at Disability Network, Brad spent 5 years as the Community Food Programs Manager at TrueNorth Community Services, where he coordinated emergency food programs for low income individuals.
I Love You, Lead On 
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