The National Disability Mentoring Coalition (NDMC) has named 31 individuals and one organization as inductees into the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame. Selection criteria for the Class of 2019 included demonstrated commitment to mentoring and the impact of contributions on improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Substantial research has shown that mentoring is a critical element in helping youth from diverse backgrounds transition to independent adulthood and successful careers. For youth with disabilities, mentoring is even more critical because most come from families that have no experience with disability and there are few role models to follow. Moreover, peer mentoring and career mentoring have demonstrated effectiveness in strengthening self-advocacy, advancing career development, and promoting inclusion through positive engagement. The NDMC established the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame to highlight the importance of mentoring for people with disabilities and to honor individuals and organizations that provide exemplary service.
The Class of 2020 Hall of Fame inductees will be honored via a national webinar on Friday, January 17th, International Mentoring Day. The below individuals and organization are the Class of 2019.
Mentoring Organizations
Mentors
- Joshua Basile, Esq., Advocate, philanthropist, and lawyer
- Lydia X.Z. Brown, Disability justice advocate, organizer, educator, attorney & writer
- Darren Burton, Online accessibility expert
- Catherine Campisi, Consultant on disability policy & program development
- Mark Crenshaw, Center for Leadership in Disability
- Pascuala Herrera, Harper College
- Br. Christopher Stephen Jenks, Brotherhood of St. Gregory
- Elizabeth Jennings, National Disability Institute
- Margaux Joffe, Verizon Media & Kaleidoscope Society
- Alisa Key, Pearson
- Barbara Kornblau, Attorney, occupational therapist, certified case manager, & radical e-patient
- Ken Kunken, Lawyer & advocate
- Paul Lewis, Chemco
- Aimee Mangold, Kotler Hospitality
- Susan Mazrui, AT&T
- Hayden Mears, Film critic
- Donté Mickens, Paralympian & advocate
- Leroy F. Moore, Jr., Activist, journalist, writer, & lecturer
- Maria Palacios, Poet, author & disability rights activist
- Katherine Perez, The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy and Innovation
- Dylan M. Rafaty, DylanListed & C-Hear, Inc.
- Maggie Roffee, Disability inclusion advocate
- John Ross (JR) Rizzo, MD, NYU Langone Health
- Debra Ruh, Ruh Global Impact
- Joe Strechay, Strechay Consulting
- Suzanne Stolz, EdD, University of San Diego
- Allegra Heath Stout, Jewish Organizing Institute and Network (JOIN) for Justice
- Josie Thomas, CBS
- Daman Wandke, AbiliTrek & Western Washington University
- Erik Weihenmayer, No Limits
- Paul Weiland, Oak Hill Adaptive Sports & Fitness
- Maysoon Zayid, Actress, Comedian & Disability Activist
