PRESENTING ELOQUENT INSIGHTS WITH UNCOMMON SENSE

The Language of Awareness:
Discover ways to effectively, respectfully communicate in your ever-changing diverse community. You'll learn how to boost your customer service rating, increase consumer loyalty and improve your public relations.

In-Home Insights:
Are you a baby-boomer, or a member of the sandwich generation? Are you caring for your aging parents while raising your own children still living at home? Discover how to preserve your sanity, find peace of mind and hire competent, compassionate, in-home health care.

The Workforce that Works:
Enhance your corporate image AND your bottom line.  Learn why an accessible business can be a more profitable business. Learn ways to benefit from a huge, untapped workforce and an overlooked, multi-million dollar market.

Laura Gillson is a speaker, author and educator specializing in disability awareness, accessibility, advocacy and assistive technology. At heart, she is an educator and trainer, and will bring real gravitas to your event with a light touch. Using a blend of humor and storytelling, Laura will raise your awareness and lift your spirits.

Disability is not a brave struggle or courage in the face of adversity. Disability is an art and an ingenious way to live.

--Neil Marcus, PLAYWRIGHT

An Ingenious Life

I take issue with those who say they are impressed with the way I have overcome my disability. Webster's defines 'overcome' as, "to gain superiority over or to get the better of. I have done neither. Retinitis Pigmentosa and I have learned to coexist.

--Laura Gillson

Laura Gillson is an award-winning speaker and is a vocal advocate for people with disabilities.  She travels extensively presenting material on the Americans with Disabilities act, workplace issues and hiring practices, assistive technologies, and disability awareness and communication.

As an educator, Laura has created course curricula and student handbooks certified by the State of Washington as Continuing Education instructional material for in-home health care providers. She has educated thousands of home care workers in nearly ten years as an instructor.

Ms. Gillson has been featured in articles for local newspapers and business journals, and has been interviewed for local live talk radio.  She has authored numerous articles for both online and print publications, including Toastmasters International Magazine, Guide Dogs for the Blind News, Diversity World Magazine and the University of Oregon to name a few.  She has also served as a volunteer on ADA advisory committees for Area Agencies on Aging and the local transit authority.  As a Toastmaster, she has served as club president, Area Governor and is the current Division governor.

Ms. Gillson was educated at California State University, Northridge, and mastered the Vocational Independence Program at the Foundation for the Junior Blind in Los Angeles, California. Southern California native, Laura now resides in central Washington State.