Independent Living Programs
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Reyna Romero
Reyna administers Direct’s Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination program and oversees the coordination of communication access. She also is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) and Certified Environmental Access Consultant (CEAC). Reyna started her disability rights career in…
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Todd Weber
Todd has over 25 years of entrepreneurial business experience. He is the father of identical twins who have a visual disability. In 2016 he elected to make a career change from business development to pursue his true passion of working with individuals with disabilities…
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Manny Aregullin
Manuel has been successfully training blind and low vision adults since 2006 and is certified in JAWS. He is passionate about assistive technology (AT) and getting it into the hands of all who can benefit…
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Leo Effendi
Leo has been involved in social justice activism for the better part of a decade. During their time at the University of Arizona’s Disability Cultural Center, they broadened the scope of their efforts to advocate for increased mental health services and greater awareness of neurodiversity…
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Lyssa Matsche
Lyssa has been deaf all her life. Growing up she found a sense of community whenever she engaged in activities surrounded by disabled peers. Lyssa graduated with a master’s in social work from Gallaudet University. She has experience in advocacy, case management, mental health, and outreach…
Home Access Program
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Gail Bouchee
Gail’s disability rights and access career spans over three decades. As Direct’s most tenured employee, she began working for the center in 1991. She specializes in conducting access/safety assessments and coordinating home modifications…
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Lupita Munoz
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference…
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Courtney Ryan
Courtney Ryan graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in disability studies, emphasis on special education. Prior to joining Direct, she lived in Los Angeles and worked as a peer mentor and research assistant at Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation hospital. Courtney also co-founded…
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Jocelyn Lewis
Jocelyn’s love for helping others began early in life. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, her work with the disability community began in the classroom as a teacher’s assistant working with youth on the Autism spectrum…
Administration
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Vicki Cuscino
Vicki Cuscino has dedicated most of her career to social justice, focusing on disability rights, eliminating health disparities, and ending violence against women. She has worked in disability rights since 2000, joining Direct Advocacy & Resource Center as Executive Director in 2015…
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Hailey Thoman
Hailey Thoman has worked in disability rights since 2011. Most of Hailey’s work has been focused on eliminating barriers to employment for people with disabilities while Executive Director for Linkages. She expanded her advocacy efforts when joining Direct Advocacy & Resource Center in 2019…
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Jamie Neidorf
Jamie has worked in disability rights for more than 15 years. Much of Jamie’s efforts have focused on increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities by helping them understand…
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Christopher Marshall
Chris has been a member of Direct's financial team, providing accounting, budgeting, and audit guidance since 2015. Chris also is an IRS enrolled agent, a notary public, and member of the Pennsylvania Society of Tax & Accounting Professionals. And, if that wasn't enough, he also has taught accounting courses at…