Mentorship, Disability, and Access
Saturday, June 2, 2018
1:00 - 1:45 pm
Mentoring 101 - Changing Attitudes Regarding Education, Employment, and Rehabilitation
Daniel Martinez and Salvador Villa are members of the National Federation of the Blind. They have been part of the Texas Mentoring Program for 3 years, and they have experienced valuable growth through their journey as mentor and protégé.
Outline:
1.         Who are they? (Daniel & Salvador)
2.         What is the role of the mentor? (Daniel)
3.         What is the role of the protégé? (Salvador)
4.         Sharing unforgettable mentoring adventures (Daniel & Salvador
5.         How can someone become a mentor or a protégé? (Daniel)
6.         Q&A Session (Group)
   The objective of the presentation is to consider how mentoring programs can change the attitudes of people with disabilities in education, employment, and rehabilitation.
“Learning to Succeed Through Self Awareness”
 Bengigno Aceves
One of the most fundamental human needs we possess is the need for acceptance and relatedness.   A “Hidden Disability” is defined as a disability that is not immediately apparent.  In this presentation you will hear about the challenges that one with a “Hidden Disability” goes through from growing up in an Mexican household, attending public schools and working.  You will learn how Benigno overcame these obstacles through self acceptance, self adjusting, and how he now shares his story to educate the community on what we can do as a whole to be more
aware of various disabilities.
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Daniel Martinez
My name is Daniel Martinez. I am a Blind Children’s Specialist and a graduate student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I come representing the National Federation of the Blind of Texas as a mentor in the CAREER program.
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Benigno Aceves
they, them, theirs
Benigno Aceves serves as the Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher Coordinator for Texas Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast Region. With a degree in Business Management, a Teachers Certification and a passion for making valuable contributions to the community, he has influenced, inspired and educated several Houstonianson disability awareness.
 
Mr. Aceves is a native of Houston, Texas, serving as Vice Chair for the Houston Commission on Disability, while serving as Chair for its Employment Committee. Benigno recently accepted the position as an Executive Board Member with the newly created Greater Houston Disability Chamber of Commerce.  He has led several city-wide events, promoting awareness, understanding, and independence of disabled individuals.  In 2015, he was presented with the Mayor’s Disability Advocate of the Year Award. Mr. Aceves is dedicated in helping people become the best version of themselves.