Keynote Speakers

Robert L. Karol, PhD., L.P., ABPP, CBIST
Dr. Karol is President of a group private practice, Karol Neuropsychological Services & Consulting, in Minneapolis. He specializes in program development consultation for organizations, workshops & staff training, case consultation for providers, insurers, and attorneys, counseling for persons with brain injury and other disabilities, and neuropsychological and rehabilitation evaluations.

"Appreciating Grief and Loss After Brain Injury"

This presentation will address grief and loss after brain injury. It will highlight factors that make coping after brain injury different than coping with other conditions. It will cover the expectations people have and how they worsen people’s responses. The impact of an unfamiliar and unexpected care system (i.e., rehabilitation) will be noted. The talk will discuss errors in thinking by persons with brain injury and their application to emotional responses including guilt and anger. Different types of grief will be noted, and grief will be contrasted with depression. Re-conceptualizing acceptance and adjustment to disability and employment will be addressed.

Karen Karsh
Karen Karsh has sung professionally since age 15. As an adult she has become a thinking person's singer-songwriter. "I write from my soul," explains Karen. She has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and recorded for ABC Dunhill Records. In 1992 she was awarded Gannett Broadcasting's, "Innovation of the Year" for her television feature "Unsung Heroes."

“How Did You Learn to Talk if You Can’t Read Lips?”

After more than four decades of performing, singer and songwriter Karen Karsh is still mesmerizing audiences. As a person living with a disability that for some people might seemed like a mountain too steep to climb, this beautiful, blind musician will inspire you with her upbeat view about what she has learned about life and her life’s work.

 During her presentation and performance, you will see pure Karen Karsh- alive, vulnerable, passionate, happy, sad, and everything in between.  Whether performing on the CBS Early Show, with the Colorado Symphony, for her favorite charity, or serving as board chair of Colorado’s American Council for the Blind, Karen’s goal is to provide a message where her thoughts and music will bring you closer to attributes that are best in all of us. She will inspire you to look deep inside yourself and ask, “what can I do to make MY heart sing, where my work is my play and my play is my work,” AND where is it a “fit” with and for my disABILITY?” We all encounter challenges. Karen believes the key to help us face disability with dignity and courage means becoming an entrepreneur in our own lives.

Without a doubt, you will leave this presentation knowing we can all still sing our songs, even though our lives and our disabilities are different.
 

Lynnae M. Ruttledge
Lynnae M. Ruttledge is a Presidential appointee and serves as the Commissioner for the Rehabilitation Services Administration with the U.S. Department of Education in Washington DC. In this role, she leads the public vocational rehabilitation program that serves more than 1 million individuals with significant disabilities annually, partnering with more than 200,000 businesses across the country in meeting their workforce needs. Ms. Ruttledge has been a strong supporter of Business Leadership Networks in the Pacific Northwest and the USBLN now at the national level. As a person born with a disability, she received assistance from the vocational rehabilitation program and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

"Partnering for Better Employment Opportunities"

As America's economy rebounds, the skills and abilities of individuals with disabilities will be important factors for our success and our quest for global competitiveness. Come hear about national initiatives and model practices that can be replicated at the state and local level.

Cori C DiBiase
Cori C DiBiase founded the Aperio Consulting Group in July of 2010 with a team of professionals dedicated to workforce development for veterans and civilians with disabilities. Prior to founding Aperio, Mr. DiBiase worked with the National Organization on Disability, and was active in all aspects of their workforce development, military and corporate outreach programs. Mr. DiBiase has provided policy and practical guidance and support to numerous local, state and federal employment projects and agencies. While with the National Center on Workforce and Disability, he provided technical assistance, training and policy guidance to workforce development systems nationally on issues surrounding customized employment, entrepreneurship, and universal design.  

"Trends, Findings and Promising Practices in Veteran Career Development"

This session will review an array of research and practices around career development for veterans with disabilities. While not addressing any of these issues in depth, the session will highlight recent research on the subject, as well as promising practices such as entrepreneurship, mentoring and peer-to-peer supports. This session will be complemented by the more in-depth review of research in the  following Breakout session: Return to Careers: Findings and Trends in Veteran Employment.