Leanne’s Talk “Guardianship and Disability Justice: It Doesn’t End with Britney” sheds light on advocacy not just for the disability community, but all of us. In addition to a Netflix movie about the subject, superstar Britney Spears, actor Amanda Bynes and Star Trek’s Lt. Uhura, Nichelle Nichols have been in the news with their experiences with the guardianship system. Leanne’s Talk was chosen as a 2022 TED global editor’s pick!
What is missing from the narrative are the stories of the people most often affected by guardianship, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Typically, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are placed under guardianship at 18 and remain there, with their civil rights and many human rights removed, for the rest of their lives. While some people may benefit from the protection that a guardianship offers, the current system treats guardianship as a forgone conclusion for everyone with an intellectual or developmental disability.
About Leanne
Leanne has been supporting people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to achieve their dreams since 1999. In her previous career as a corporate trainer and business manager Leanne hired someone who used a job coach and that experience completely changed the course of her life. She spent the next 15 years at a traditional agency in a variety of roles ranging from job coach to QIDP, Day Services Manager to Director of Employment and Advocacy, and everything in between. Leanne believes that the key to meaningful lives for people who receive services is to encourage, engage and enlighten the staff who work for them. As co-director of Blue Tower Solutions, Inc. and Quality Enhancement Specialist for CQL, The Council on Quality and Leadership, Leanne fulfills that dream as an international speaker, writer and consultant improving organizations and systems supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Leanne’s current projects include the Central and Northwest Illinois Epilepsy Resource and Supports project, supporting organizations with implementations of best practices aligning with the federal HCBS Settings final rule and educating home visitors about supporting parents with disabilities. Most recently Leanne and a colleague with disabilities created a diversity and inclusion training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities called “It Starts with Saying Hi!”.
Leanne’s advocacy work includes serving as Board President for The Arc of Illinois and supporting self advocates to educate those who work with them to support them in living their best lives.
