Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Friday, December 28, 2001 Governor Scott McCallum Secretary Jennifer Reinert

News Media Contact Christopher Marschman 608/261-6705 e-mail: news@dwd.state.wi.us fax: 608/266-1784

Contact: Kristin Krueger, 608/243-5659

MADISON – A Green Bay area Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) employee recently participated in a nationally recognized seminar program aimed at helping people with disabilities achieve higher levels of independence in their lives.

Spencer Mosley, Rural Bay Area District Director for the DWD Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), participated in the 22^nd Annual Switzer Seminar at Michigan State University. Mosley was one of only 20 people in the United States invited to participate as a Switzer Scholar at the seminar.

"It is a real honor to have one of our employees selected to participate in such a prestigious program and to know that his input could someday lead to great advances in employment prospects for people with disabilities," said DWD Secretary Jennifer Reinert.

Mosley has worked in vocational rehabilitation since 1973. He has been a DVR manager since 1987 and currently oversees program activities in six counties in northeast Wisconsin. He is also an active member of the National Rehabilitation Association, having served as that organization’s president in 1993.

The department’s Vocational Rehabilitation division provides employment services to people with disabilities. Charlene Dwyer, Administrator for that division said, "We are so lucky to have someone of Spencer’s caliber providing services to our consumers. His knowledge, skills and compassion have benefited so many people in the Green Bay area."

Scholars are selected based on leadership, background and achievements relevant to the seminar topic. Switzer scholars participate in an intensive three-day strategic discussion where they examine new approaches to improve employment opportunities and independence for people with disabilities.

The Switzer Memorial Seminars are a vital program of the National Rehabilitation Association, and they serve as a living tribute to the memory of Mary E. Switzer. She is a legend in the field of rehabilitation who developed and directed many innovative Federal and State programs as U.S. Commissioner from 1950 to 1969, as the first head of the Social and Rehabilitative Services. She also served as Vice-President of the World Rehabilitation Fund until her death in 1971 and was a past-president of NRA.

The recommendations of the 22^nd Annual Switzer Memorial Seminar, which were recently published, will be shared with a wide audience of consumers, decision-makers, members of the U.S. Congress, employers, educators and others.

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