Earlier this week, Tim Reilly from our Premier Services team led an on site eMAR training at Trinity Services in New Lenox, Illinois. 

Not only do we absolutely love that they have CQL POMs as their wall art, we love that they had us on site this week - because on site training is our favorite kind of training to do. 

When it comes to employment initiatives for people with disabilities, the only thing better than creating more jobs is empowering people to create their own.

And that's exactly what two passion-driven University of Illinois professors have set out to do. .

Maija Renko and Sarah Parker Harris met at one of th

e University's events in Chicago eight years ago - and they found themselves extremely interested in one another’s work.

Today, they’re collaborating on a project that aims to solve the employment issues that many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face. 

I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Mark. He's the one with the backwards hat and the eye black on - not the pilgrim.    

By looking at this photo, you probably wouldn't know that Mark has a disability. In fact, as the numbered bib suggests - he had just finished a race when it was taken.

As someone who cannot seem to get into running no matter how hard I try, that in itself is inspiring to me.

But that's not why I'm blogging about him today.

In addition to participating in - and finishing - races, Mark has Cerebral Palsy. He also has a graduate degree, a job, owns a condo, and has season tickets for the Buffalo Sabres.

Every single home game, he climbs an obscene amount of stairs to get to the top of the 300 level at the First Niagara Center. I've done it with him, and trust me - it's not easy for anyone. Especially considering the last couple of seasons. 

Almost three years ago he got his NY State Driver's License, bought a car, and had it equipped so that he could operate it using hand controls. It was that last accomplishment (along with his dashing good looks) that landed him in his latest role, as the star of this television commercial for Main Mobility.

According to the popular tech blog engadget.com, Google has announced that it is funding a $20 million grant for its latest Impact Challenge, which is aimed at making the world more accessible for those with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Specifically, the new Google Impact: Disabilities program seeks to "build awareness, identify solutions and help create universal access for people with disabilities."

They have already successfully teamed up with non-profit startups like Mission Arm, E-Nable and World Wide Hearing, and are looking to fund even more solutions - to the tune of $20 million.

And they're asking for help from people on both sides of the issue to help them do it - people (or those whose family are) living with a disability as well as innovators, inventors and tinkerers.

Want to get involved?