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Harriet G. Hall,
Newport, VT
I grew up an only child and was born with an eye condition called Anniridia. I am Legally Blind. I was brought up in Newport, Vermont in the very rural Northeast Kingdom.
Experienced and successful in providing support and rehabilitation services to clients with disabilities, I have excellent communication and collaborative skills. I enjoy assisting clients, agencies and the community in accomplishing objectives and consider myself a catalyst with a positive attitude to get things done.
My experience includes coordination and facilitation of support groups and special events as well as counseling clients and maintaining case notes. Performing community outreach to identify clients needs of services, instructing rehabilitation classes, arranging transportation for clients to meetings, doctors, special events are some of the tasks that I perform regularly. Providing rehabilitation instruction to multi-handicapped consumers to promote independent living and community mainstreaming, developing employment and providing job training is also a part of my experience.
I tend to be outspoken to the public to help our communities understand the needs of people with disabilities. Adaptive equipment is an area of expertise. I am married to a legislator Rep John K. Hall.
Sandra Jane Lawliss
Waitsfield, VT
I was born in Montpelier on August 9th, the oldest of the five children of Robert and Dorothy Lawliss. I was raised in Waitsfield, graduated with honors from Harwood Union High School, and later received a BA in Theology, an MA in Bible, and a Master of Divinity. I had felt called to pastor a church.
In 1994, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After six years of acclimating to the altered reality the disease presented (fatigue, difficulty walking, etc), I was introduced to the SILC and was urged to apply. I did so, and have since realized that advocacy on behalf of the disabled community is really the essence of my calling.
There are a number of assets I bring to the SILC that can truly benefit our overall mission. I have superior language and writing skills. As a former typesetter, I have experience with layout and design. I am experienced with human group dynamics. I do not scruple to speak up about inequities and injustice. Finally, I can relate to the emotions disabled people have, since I am dependent on a wheelchair myself.
Deborah Lisi-Baker
Waterbury, VT
Born in Windsor, VT, I grew up on the New Hampshire side of the Conn. River, and moved back to Vermont in 1978. I have been involved in low income and disability rights issues since that time. I currently live in Waterbury with my husband, David Baker, and have a grown son living in Seattle.
I am currently the Executive Director of the Vermont Center for Independent Living, and serve on the SILC in that role. My background includes extensive experience with nonprofit management, disability rights, and policy work in Vermont, as well as a long history of both volunteer and paid work on various boards and task forces dealing with disability and health care issues. I also serve as the editor of the statewide disability and senior rights paper, The Independent. I have been fortunate to have worked with many parts of the disability rights movement in Vermont and nationally. It is exciting to be involved with the SILC's work to celebrate, support, and promote the independent living movement, self-advocacy, and disability rights in Vermont.
Diane Dalmasse
Stowe, VT
I received a BA in Sociology and Math from William Smith College, and an MA in Education and Administration from Johnson State College. I have worked in human services my entire career, first doing child welfare work, and then as a psychiatric social worker. Since 1981, I have worked in the Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and have been serving as the Director of the division since 1991. Our mission is to enable Vermonters with disabilities to obtain or maintain employment. Throughout my career, I have always been committed to client service and willing to take risks and improvise. I believe that returning people to gainful employment meets both the needs of people with disabilities and society as a whole.
My husband and I operate a small farm in Stowe. We have two wonderful sons in college. I enjoy boating on Lake Champlain, my sons' athletic events, and a good book.
Staff
Lynne Goodson, Executive Director
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