Featuring experts in policy, resources, and best practices in ADA policies
Keynote Speaker:
Leslie Dawson, MA, CRC, NCC
State Administrator, Business Relations Program Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Leslie Dawson is the State Administrator of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Service’s Vocational Rehabilitation Business Relations Program - READI-Net (Resources for Employment and Disability Information). Leslie is responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with business and industry within Alabama, as well as nationally, in order to assist companies with their disability and inclusion needs; including the recruitment, employment, retention and advancement of individuals with disabilities. Leslie travels state-wide providing disability and employment related trainings to employer partners on such topics as Disability Etiquette, Disability Awareness, ADAAA, Return to Work/Stay at Work initiatives, Reasonable Accommodations, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Emergency Preparedness for Employees and Customers with Disabilities. She has over 20 years’ experience working with businesses to retain workers with injuries, illnesses and disabilities in the workplace. Leslie began her career with ADRS as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in 1997, moved into a Business Relations position in 2004 and became the Administrator of the READI-Net program in 2017. Mrs. Dawson received her master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Alabama and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor.
Leslie.Dawson@Rehab.Alabama.Gov
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation ServicesWith over 25 years of experience working with people with disabilities, Elizabeth Gordon is a fierce advocate who is passionate about inclusion in the workforce. She began her career in direct service roles supporting people with mental health and behavioral health disabilities, organizing and leading programs for people who experienced stroke and head injury, and ultimately landing in employment services for people with developmental and co-occurring disabilities.
Elizabeth has a BA in Psychology and is a credentialed certified work incentives practitioner. Recent roles have given Elizabeth the opportunity to affect systems-level change, ensuring community services are effectively aligned and responsive to the needs of the people they serve. This work has allowed her advocacy to positively impact individuals throughout the region, stretching beyond her organization’s reach. Elizabeth is a strong, results-driven collaborator dedicated to furthering workforce diversity. She is currently employed as the Executive Director of the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment and the State Lead for RETAIN WA.
Nicole Bennett has extensive knowledge and experience in the field of Workforce Recovery Care. She is the Director of the Center of Occupational Health and Education (COHE) Alliance of Western Washington, sponsored by CHI Franciscan. Nicole was instrumental in establishing this program within CHI Franciscan. She also serves as a Consultant to WA-RETAIN (Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network). Both programs demonstrate models of collaborative care with all parties focused on work disabilities. Nicole’s commitment to patient experience and partner relationships has helped develop COHE Alliance’s presence and demonstrated successes throughout Western Washington. Her expertise and leadership in the COHE model has been instrumental in WA-RETAIN phase one design and implementation. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys domestic and international travel and meeting new friends worldwide and spending time with her family.
For more information
John Fuller | 425.921.3463 | john.fuller@workforcesnohomish.org
RETAIN is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Language assistance services for limited English proficient individuals are available free of charge. Preparation of this item was fully funded by the United States Department of Labor as part of a total grant in the amount of $3,315,750 under Cooperative Agreement No. OD-32542-18-75-4-53.This document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.