Meet Jane. This past Diehard Advocate award recipient is dedicated to helping people with disabilities find employment.  When she’s not busy working or serving as an adviser for People First, she has a plethora of hobbies.  She believes that everyone should have the right to vote.  She also encourages people to ask for help because we can all learn from one another.  We are so fortunate to have Jane as a member of the Self-Determination Network. 

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?

Jane got involved in self-determination through her  place of employment which is Portal, Inc. in Grafton. She started four years ago as a Prevocational Mentor and worked with getting people out in the community and beginning to experience jobs. Currently, she work as a Job Consultant and Job Coach with Portal.  I also work with WIOA students two days a week teaching them self-determination and living skills.

Jane also helped restart the People First Chapter in Ozaukee County and became and advisor.  It was then that she heard of the Self-Determination Network and decided to join to make community connections and have a source to help her. She has attended the Self-Determination Conference the past four years and in 2015, she was awarded the Diehard Advocate award.   “It was pretty exciting,” she says.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?

Jane is excited to see is all of the jobs available today in our community that are being filled by people with disabilities.

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

A tip Jane would like to share is that if you do not vote or do not know how, ask for help.  She encourages people to register to vote and head to the polls on voting day.  She says, “your voice matters.”  She explained that they had a member of their People First Chapter get back her right to vote which was really exciting.

What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?

“Many hands make light work,” Jane says. She explains that we don’t always have to reinvent the wheel.  She encourages people to ask for help--more times than not someone wants to help and can.

What are some of your hobbies?

Jane is a lady with many hobbies.  In addition to sewing, quilting,  and painting, she loves to wall paper. She also is an avid reader—she reads a book (mostly fiction, biographies, or cookbooks) every 10-14 days.  She also loves to people watch.

***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.