Beyond Disabilities Inc. was created to help bridge the gap between the disabled and the able-bodied in education, the workplace, religion, and society. The current focus is to provide training to medical professionals — nursing students, medical professionals, hospital staff, doctors - so that they may improve communication and better serve patients who are disabled and deaf. As a disabled person myself, I have intimate knowledge of the challenges facing a person with disabilities. Perhaps even more important is the knowledge of the challenges faced by the families of people with disabilities and by the professionals who must interact with them.As an advocate and speaker, I work to open doors and make life fulfilling for the deaf and disabled and for the able-bodied who have the opportunity to work with them.

My mission is to help assure that disabled Californians have access to basic telephone service. My work supports the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which provide specialized telephone equipment, and relay services through the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) and California Relay Service (CRS). This is a four-year monthly term. http://ddtp.cpuc.ca.gov/homepage.aspx

Keith Bonchek Bridging the Gap Between Disabled and Able-Bodied, Laguna, CABridging the Gap was created to help close the gap between the disabled and the able bodied in education, the work place, religion, and society. My current focus is to provide training to medical professionals — doctors, dentists, nurses, dental assistants, and receptionists. As a disabled person myself, I have intimate knowledge of the challenges facing a person with disabilities. Perhaps even more important is the knowledge of the challenges faced by the families of people with disabilities and by the professionals who must interact with them.Employers face difficulties when trying to hire the disabled and deaf. It is essential that HR personnel learn how to avoid prejudging applicants who may look and sound different. Misunderstandings and fear can cause them to overlook a talented resource. Either in group sessions or with one-one-one instruction, I introduce management and employees to communication techniques that will make them more efficient and better able to meet the needs of the deaf and/or disabled they will be working with. This can dramatically reduce turnover. This is my passion! As an advocate and speaker, I work to open doors and make life fulfilling for the deaf and disabled and for the able bodied who have the opportunity to work with them.

People First Southern California Outreach Coordinator Sacramento, CAThere was a recruitment process due my experience and exposure from my company Bridging The Gap. Once hired by People First my responsibilities included creating new chapters in Southern California, training groups and staff members of various organizations on self-advocacy. Served as the keynote speaker at numerous conferences and seminars for educators, business executives, and parents. In addition, was responsible for hiring and terminating as well as general management of staff. Accomplishments: As a pivotal member of the Education Training Committee for three years, co-authored four books that targeted on building self-advocacy, youth empowerment groups, and People First starter groups. When I began my position, Southern CA had little support from People First headquarters and a lack of resources. As an outreach coordinator the focus was to grow both the resource, base as well as headquarters and increase the territory. Likewise, invitations were extended to be a speaker at numerous events and conferences, which included educators, businesses owners, and parents. Presentation focused on how to become self-advocate, benefits of hiring people with disabilities, and how parents and educators need to advocate for students with disabilities.

There was a realization that expansion was needed in order be more competitive. Several courses in complex technology were taken in order to learn new products, which could be offered. As a result, customers were provided with complete landscape construction, design, and installation. In addition, I was also an Irrigation Specialist as well as a Turf and Soil Specialist. My staff consisted of 12 employees. It was also my duty to be the individual who interfaced with the customers; and solved all customer problems/complaints. As a small business owner, my five-year plan took us through another 10 years. The business was sold at a profit.

Licensed by the County of Los Angeles Department of Health Swimming Pool Service Technicians; and started my own business. Wherein all levels of management and ownership were undertaken: managed, hired, trained, and fired employees. As a small business owner, a profit was seen for six years in a very competitive marketplace.