Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

COMMISSIONERS

Leah Shannon is the current chair of the Commission.

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Contact Leah Shannon via Leah (at) dearborn-disabilities (dot) org

Sonya Tishler has been a Dearborn resident since 1975, is married and the mother of six, grandmother of eight and great grandmother of one. After graduating from high school Sonya has worked at many jobs; banking, confidential secretary at a major truck line and others.

Sonya and her husband, Tom are the parents of a 25 year old daughter, Claire, who is severely mentally and multiply impaired and is attending Howe School in Dearborn. Over the years Sonya has been involved with PTA, cake decorating and painting. Her continuing education is in day to day caregiving and learning every day what her daughter’s disabilities create for her in daily living. Finding out two years ago after a serious injury to her daughter’s leg and ankle that the disabilities were taking on another challenge. That challenge was also to both Sonya and her husband for three months of twelve hour shifts at a nursing home for rehabilitation of Claire’s injuries, at the one and only nursing home that would even accept a younger person which involved a 15 mile trip each way from home for each parent.

Being honored with the appointment to the Commission on Disability Concerns has brought to reality Sonya’s chance to bring what she has learned through this past 25 years the chance to work with the other Commissioners to make a difference in the lives of all disabled people. She is the vice-chair of the commission and the chair of the Access Committee. Educating the public sector is probably the most important challenge yet since so many people are still indifferent to those who are challenged in any way. “If what I have lived and learned is not used to help others as long as I can, then I will have thrown away a great education in life.” Sonya is currently the vice-chair of the commission.

Contact Sonya Tishler via sonya (at) dearborn-disabilities (dot) org

Nancy was appointed to the Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns in 2003 by Mayor Michael Guido. She is the chair of the Education and Public Awareness committee. She has over twenty years of experience as a fully licensed Clinical Counselor and Social Worker working in a variety of S settings. She is currently engaged in a private practice assisting adults and families coping with depression, chronic illness/disability, or life change issues. In addition to her work history, Nancy has the very personal experience of having multiple sclerosis and is a recent cancer survivor. She is a past President of the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association and is on the Chapter Programs Committee of the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Contact Nancy Bower via nancy (at) dearborn-disabilities (dot) org or phone: (313)561-6804

Gary Filiak is married and has two sons. He has been a resident of the City of Dearborn for over 50 years. Gary is a caregiver for his father who has had a stroke. He is a Vietnam Veteran with a disability. Gary has been employed with the City of Dearborn for over 30 years. He is a committee member of the Michigan branch of the Very Special Arts program within the City of Dearborn’s Cultural Arts Division. He is a member of the Christian Reform Church of Dearborn.

Contact Gary Fliak via  gary (at) dearborn-disabilities (dot) org

Mary Hodak is a retired High School teacher. She has a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Detroit and a Masters degree from Wayne State University, and a Specialist Degree in Gerontology from University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Mary had been in the Dearborn School system as an Assistant Principal & as a Supervisor Adult and Community Education and in the School Mentor Program. She was also a high school math teacher. Mary has memberships in the Detroit Zoological Society, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Smithsonian Institute, the National Audubon Society,~ Fairlane Association, and the HI-Hopes Stroke Club. She has been listed in the Who’s Who in the America’s Teachers in 1990, 1992, and 1998. Mary’s role on the Commission is an advocate for the rights and needs of people with disabilities. This was really precipitated by her husband, George, becoming incapacitated due to multiple health problems and was unable to speak or care for himself. So as an advocate and caregiver, she has gained invaluable knowledge and vision for people with disabilities.

Contact Mary Hodak via  mary (at) dearborn-disabilities (dot) org

Cathy McAdam is pleased to have served as the chair person for the Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns through September 2008. Cathy has over 20 years experience in rehabilitation medicine as a medical social worker. In 1999, she started a small business as a career development consultant, disability advocate, and access technology specialist. She is a primary consultant for DiverseAbility promoting career opportunities for people with disabilities.  (http://www.diverseAbility.com ) She leads an assistive technology grant for MDRC,  (http://www.copower.org ) and a tutor program for Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired. ( http://www.gdabvi.org ) Cathy was married to an articulate wise man and notes that his untimely death from AIDS has shaped her work as an advocate for people with disabilities and chronic illness. And, she has a loyal and frisky guide dog whose name is Ginger.

Contact Cathy McAdam via cathy (at) dearborn-disabilities (dot) org or phone: (313) 563-1412

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Contact Mona Ramouni via mona (at) dearborn-disabilities (dot) org

Contact Marty Sheedy via Marty (at) dearborn-disabilities (dot) org

We have two new commissioners: Dessa Cosma and Susan Nunn.

CITY SUPPORT STAFF

Jim Murray, Deputy Director D.P.W.

Nancy Neubacher, DPW Admininstrative Assistant

Susan Fitzmaurice, ADA Coordinator and Liaison to the Commission on Disability Concerns Susan Fitzmaurice has a lifelong commitment to disability concerns. The focus of her disability activism has changed as the role of people with disabilities has changed in society and as a result of adopting her son, Teddy, who has Down syndrome. Her earliest activism was as a teenage volunteer at Plymouth State Home & Training School. What she witnessed there encouraged her to become a pioneer in the special education movement. In less than a decade that focus changed to being a proponent of inclusive education, community living, and self-determination. Susan is a council member of the Michigan Rehabilitation Council; a board member of numerous organizations, including the Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy, ADAPT, and United Cerebral Palsy- Detroit. ~ She is also an active member of Not Dead Yet. Susan is published in the journals “Disability Studies Quarterly”, “Sexuality Research and Social Policy” and “Sexuality & Disability” and the British news magazine “Disability Now” and “Mother Warriors Voice”. She is currently writing for the History of Disability Encyclopedia. She has made dozens of presentations to regional, state, and international conferences around issues of disability. Susan has a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Thomas Jefferson College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Grand Valley State University, and a Master of Science degree in rehabilitation counseling from Syracuse University. She has also done extensive coursework in special education at Bank St. College and in Disability Studies through the Center on Human Policy. Susan serves as a liaison between the city and the Dearborn Commission on Disability concerns, in addition to being the ADA Coordinator for the city of Dearborn.

Contact Susan via sfitzmaurice (at) ci (dot) dearborn (dot) mi (dot) us

Our previous commissioners and city staff have included the following people: