In this episode of the Abilities, Opportunities and Future of Work Podcast, Nacsha Ealy and I have an engaging conversation around the life, career, and views of Dr. Feranmi Okanlami at the University of Michigan around disability inclusion. His complete bio can be accessed from

https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/family-medicine/oluwaferanmi-o-okanlami-md-ms

He coined the term “disabusing disability” and we would also refer you to his inspiring TEDx talk “Disabusing Disability: Seeing the World Through Pearl’s Eyes.” He was also chosen to serve on Biden’s council for Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwzPWa6vDd4

He was also featured in Good Morning America in ABC. Not only did they celebrate his achievements, but they also named him a recipient of a $1 million award from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation (link below).

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/video/gma-celebrates-deserving-hero-million-surprise-91785088

Dr. Dr. Okanlami was born in Nigeria and later moved to the United States. He attended Stanford University, where he excelled in Academics and Athletics. At Stanford, he ran track & Field serving as captain and achieved Academic All-American recognition.

In his talk, he shares his personal (and inspiring) journey through various challenges. Dr. O (as he is popularly known) challenges societal perceptions of disability, positioning disability as an opportunity for growth, resilience, and empowerment.

We are very excited to host Dr. O (as he is popularly called) on our podcast.

Bill Krieger recently retired as the Veterans Program Manager at Consumers Energy and host of the popular Me You Us podcast. He served ten years in the United States Navy achieving the rank of Petty Officer First Class. During his tenure he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Badge. He also served in the Michigan Army National Guard and retired at the rank of Captain after 21 years of combined service. Bill was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal as well as the Combat Action Badge. He served as the Commander of the 144th Military Police Company during his combat tour in Iraq. He has his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Central Michigan University. Bill serves as the Legislative Chair for the National Guard Association of Michigan, where is also a life member. He is married with three children and one grandchild. Bill enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. He has a passion for serving his fellow Veterans.

Bill Shared his work at Consumers Energy on Disability Inclusion, and best practices that they are pursuing in VFW National Home, the current non-profit where he works.

Robin Jones is the Principal Investigator/Project Director/Instructor, Great Lakes ADA Center. Robin Jones is the Director of the Great Lakes ADA Center and an Instructor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Center serves the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The Center provides training and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and issues related to Accessible Information Technology.

Robin has served as director since the Center’s inception in 1991. Formerly, she served as director of an independent living center in the Chicago area and as an occupational therapy practitioner at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. She has extensive experience as a trainer regarding ADA for business, government and disability organizations. Robin has been actively involved in assisting business and government to meet their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990 and is recognized as a key resource regarding ADA compliance.

Robin shares her unique experience on ADA journey, how they guide businesses on ADA compliance, and also work with individuals seeking accommodations under ADA. Furthermore, we cover the role of ADA centers in increasing awareness around the ADA.

In this episode, we talk to Alan Hejl, who shared perspectives of General Motors around disability inclusion. At the time of this interview (May 2023), Alan Hejl was the Accessibility Strategy Manager and Co-President of GM Able. Since the interview, Alan has founded Spark Access, where he is the Founder and Lead Consultant.

In this episode, we focus on "Spartan Project Search." This is a joint project between Michigan State University, Ingham Intermediate School District, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Community Mental Health, and Peckham Inc. A short description of Spartan Project Search from the website is below:

"Spartan Project SEARCH’s inaugural year started in Fall 2016 at Michigan State University as a partnership with Ingham Intermediate School District, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Community Mental Health, and Peckham Inc.

"Spartan Project SEARCH brings a successful international program for young adults with developmental disabilities to the campus of Michigan State University, one of 12 program sites starting in Michigan.

This Secondary Transition program combines classroom time provided by Ingham Intermediate School District with a year-long unpaid internship at Michigan State University. Participants gain experience in a variety of settings that will align to their interests, abilities and availability."

Source: MSU https://www.canr.msu.edu/spartanprojectsearch/who-we-are/who-we-are

The Spartan Project Search is part of a larger "Project Search" Initiative that focuses on Competitive Integrative Employment for High School Students with disabilities.

https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/careers/diverse-workforce/project-search

In this episode, we talk to:

Justine Bond: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at State of Michigan

Katheryn Long: Michigan Rehabilitation Services

Alana Anderson: Ingham Intermediate School District

Brooke Locher: Ingham Intermediate School District

Benjamin Darling: Michigan State University, AgBioResearch

This podcast is the second of a series of podcasts our team is doing on Academia/State partnerships focused on disability employment.

The Abilities, Opportunities and Future of Work Podcast is co-produced by the Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) and the Eli Broad College of Business with the objective of providing an opportunity to showcase best-in-class practices on burning issues related to how workforce with disabilities can be integrated highlighting firms, community organizations, not-for-profits and other state organizations that are doing outstanding work in integrating individuals with disabilities into the workforce and allow them to share their “stories.” The Podcast aims to fill the gap on democratizing best-in-class practices with the broader disability community that can help facilitate employment of individuals with disabilities, This is the first episode of a two-part episode. Please share your thoughts and comments at [email protected]. This is a voluntary effort.

In this episode, we focus on the Careers Collaborative. This is a joint project between Michigan State University and the Michigan Rehabilitation Services. A short description of the collaborative from the website is below:

"Careers Collaborative was launched in 2014 through private gifts from Michael and Kathy Bosco matching state and federal funds in partnership with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS). The Collaborative is strengthening leadership with a focus on career transition for students with disabilities. Students gain a full-time on-campus vocational rehabilitation counselor and specialized guidance with new synergies among several campus departments intent on career outcomes. This partnership enhances career readiness by connecting academics with practical experience, deliberative vocational rehabilitation approaches and employer partnership for internships and careers."

Source: MSU

For more information, please see the following website:

https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/careerscollaborative

The individuals who participated in the podcast are:

Shelly Neal: Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Labor and Employment Office

Tanya Adams: Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Labor and Employment Office

Connie Sung: Professor in Counseling, Education Psychology and Special Education, Michigan State University

Michael Hudson, Center Director, Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, Michigan State University

This podcast is the first of a series of podcasts our team is doing on Academia/State partnerships focused on disability employment.

The Abilities, Opportunities and Future of Work Podcast is co-produced by the Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) and the Eli Broad College of Business with the objective of providing an opportunity to showcase best-in-class practices on burning issues related to how workforce with disabilities can be integrated highlighting firms, community organizations, not-for-profits and other state organizations that are doing outstanding work in integrating individuals with disabilities into the workforce and allow them to share their “stories.” The Podcast aims to fill the gap on democratizing best-in-class practices with the broader disability community that can help facilitate employment of individuals with disabilities, This is the first episode of a two-part episode. Please share your thoughts and comments at [email protected]. This is a voluntary effort.

In this episode, we feature an in-depth discussion with Jennifer Zuniga, Director of the Michigan Career & Technical Institute (MCTI). The MCTI, a one of its kind institute in the country, is a post-secondary vocational and technical training center for adults with disabilities in Michigan. It is the 2nd largest rehabilitation training center in the country. MCTI is supported by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and Michigan Rehabilitation Services. It is located on Pine Lake in southwestern Barry County. MCTI’s residential campus features 72 acres of land and access to 700 feet of Pine Lake. Listen in for more information on MCTI. Please visit their website at https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/mcti

Source: Information on this description is obtained from the MCTI website.

In this episode, we feature an in-depth discussion with Juan Ortiz, Director of the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP). The BSBP is a one of its kind organization that provides training and services that empower visually impaired individuals to achieve their goals. The organization works closely with individuals in identifying appropriate vocational training and services including special needs and assistive technologies. Please visit their website at https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/bureau-of-services-for-blind-persons for additional information.

Source: Information on this description is obtained from the BSBP website.

In this second part of the two part episode, we discuss with Kathleen West-Evans, Director of Business Relations, National Employment Team @ Council of State Administrators of Vocation Rehabilitation, and Mike Corso President and co-Founder of DisABLEDperson, Inc in discussing The Talent Acquisition Portal®(TAP). Tap is a leading site for listing employees with disabilities that provides unique services in this space. The Portal can be accessed at tapability.org/

In this first part of the two part episode, we discuss with Kathleen West-Evans, Director of Business Relations, National Employment Team @ Council of State Administrators of Vocation Rehabilitation, and Mike Corso President and co-Founder of DisABLEDperson, Inc in discussing The Talent Acquisition Portal®(TAP). Tap is a leading site for listing employees with disabilities that provides unique services in this space. The Portal can be accessed at https://tapability.org/