Our mission
Creating and delivering one-of-a-kind training experiences for businesses, organizations, governments and people with disabilities focused on promoting employment and disability inclusion.
Our master trainers, motivational speakers, and disability employment experts offer opportunities to practice power-packed life skills such as:
* Projecting a positive personal image * Successful networking * Communication skills * Informational interviewing * Business etiquette * Volunteerism * Community engagement
Eileen Rivera Ley
An innovative leader in the disability inclusion space, Eileen has she led the national advocacy efforts for the National Federation of the Blind’s Diabetes Action Network and served as the Founding Administrator for the John Hopkins Vision Research and Rehabilitation Center of the Wilmer Eye Institute.
Legally blind since birth, Ms. Ley earned a BA in Economics from Harvard College, and an MBA in Healthcare from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. In 2021, she was featured as International Woman of the Year by the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Blind Savvy USA was selected as one of Maryland’s Top 100 minority business enterprises in 2013 and Ms. Ley was honored as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women in 2011. She serves as a board member of the Maryland State Boychoir; a member of Employment Committee of the National Federation of the Blind; and as a Trustee of the Friends of Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. She resides in Baltimore MD.
Trainers & Partners
David DeNotaris, MA
An inspirational speaker, author, trainer, and executive coach, for over 25 years, David has empowered individuals and organizations to transform obstacles into opportunities. David delivers captivating and uplifting messages for teams and audiences of all sizes. David is also the author of Feeling Your Way through Life. He creates customized workshops and trainings for government agencies, colleges and universities, community-based organizations, and Fortune 500 Companies nationally.
Legally blind since birth, David is a nationally recognized expert in vocational rehabilitation for people with disabilities. He earned his MA in Educational Leadership and Administration and his undergraduate degree from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. He is an elected school board director of the Lower Dauphin County School board since 2019. David has had leadership roles in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Most recently, serving as Executive Director of the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Dr. Rob Gilbert is one of the world’s leading authorities on sport psychology and peak performance. As a professor at Montclair State University, he has spent the last 40 years researching the mental strategies used by the world’s top athletes, business leaders, sales people and students.
For seven years, Dr. Gilbert edited “Bits & Pieces,” the world’s most popular motivational magazine. Dr. Gilbert’s Success Hotline has given daily motivational messages to millions of callers since 1992.
Dr. Gilbert has appeared on hundreds of radio and television talks shows and he has given speeches to companies like IBM, I.T.T., Johnson & Johnson, Verizon Wireless, Madison Square Garden and Nabisco. Among the academic institutions he has spoken at are the United States Military Academy, UMass Amherst, University of Wisconsin, and Brown University.
Dr. Gilbert personally coaches athletes, performers, executives and sales people. These one-on-one sessions conducted by phone have produced dramatic performance shifts. His four most recent books are, “How to Have Fun without Failing Out” about college success, “Good to Great Golf” on the psychology of winning golf, “105 Great Stories” and “Thank God You’re Lazy.”
Want to hear Dr. Gilbert motivate you right now? Just call Success Hotline at (973) 743-4690.
Dr. ROB GILBERT, PhD
JP Williams
JP Williams is an accomplished singer, workshop leader, LifeCoach, and public speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Blindsince age 10, he brings a unique, seasoned perspective to everyopportunity. He has an innate gift for connecting with audiencesthrough humorand music to share wisdom and inspiration.JP isa co-writer on the three-week no. 1 hit single “Best Shot”—the song that launched the career of country music artist JimmieAllen.He’s performed on the Grand Ole Opry (a stunning soloacoustic performanceco-written with Bobby Tomberlin), as well ascountless other notable stages throughout his career in the music industry.He writes under hisown publishing company, Blonde Leading Blind Music. Previously, he was signed as a staffwriter with Major Bob Music from 2011 to 2018.To keep up with JP, follow @blindmangram on Instagram or visit jpwilliams.net.
J.J. Meddaugh is the owner of A. T. Guys, a technology sales, training, and consultancy company based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Since 2008, A T Guys has developed and distributed products and services to benefit people who are blind and visually impaired, and has partnered with numerous companies including Fortune 500 businesses on accessibility and usability projects.
J.J. is an advanced Android user and has participated in a variety of trainings, seminars, and events over the past decade. He has provided his expertise to assist developers in making their apps accessible and has participated on a variety of Android-based projects. He has twice attended Google’s developer conference in California. He is also a certified NVDA Expert.
He cohosts the Blind Bargains Qast, a podcast focused on access technology and lifestyle topics, and formerly was a cohost of That Android Show, a podcast focusing on Android apps and news. Other interests include tactile graphics, audio production, and goalball. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he enjoys playing the keyboard, travel, and trying new cuisines.
J.J. Meddaugh
Matt Vollbrecht “would be totally blind by the age of three and would eventually need prosthetic eyes.” This diagnosis, rather than defining him, inspired him to unleash his true potential. Matt was discovered to have an incredible interest and tremendous natural talent for singing and playing the piano. Having “absolute perfect pitch” Matthew began studying piano at age 4 and voice at age 6. Matt studied classical vocal training at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University. He has performed for and shared the stage with many well-known musicians, actors, dignitaries, and political figures. He has received many awards such as: at the age of 10, he became the youngest recipient of the VSA Arts National Young Soloist Award, the youngest in history to win that award. He went on to represent VSA Arts in several performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as well as at the VSA Arts International Festival in Brussels, Belgium. His life experiences and the many opportunities afforded him have helped him to gain a unique understanding of diversity, human emotions, and problem solving.
Through his own creativity and unique ability, Matthew combined spoken messages with musical performance. Matt officially began motivational speaking in 2006. Matt shares many of his life experiences in his first book entitled “Blind Faith”. In 2012, released his second book entitled, “Titanic – the Most Complete Story Ever Told”.
Matt Vollbrecht
Our Staff
Iris Anderson
Communications Mgr
Sandy Jones
Content Coordinator
Maria Harris
Logistics
Sarah Ellis
Program Assistant
Janet Johnson
Accounting