Biography
JJ Hanley is Director of Illinois ABLE for the Illinois State Treasurer’s office, which leads 16--state, bi-partisan alliance that offers “A Better Life Experience†ABLE accounts to people with disabilities in Illinois and across the country.
Her career evolved from financial securities trader to disability parent advocate and professional, focused on building enterprises that foster economic independence, community participation and employment of people with disabilities.
JJ produced the national, award-winning PBS documentary, “Refrigerator Mothers,†about autism. She founded JJsList.com, a yelp.com-style site for businesses to reach the disability marketplace, whose blog ranks in the top 25 disability blogs.
She founded the Disability Awareness Players, training 7000+ staff of corporations and businesses in appropriate etiquette for engaging with employees and customers with disabilities. She created Internet workplace skills training programs for people with disabilities and a public transportation skills training program, reaching more than 4000+ students and teachers in area schools.
JJ co-chairs the Banking Committee of the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Financial Advisory Council for the Empowerment of People with Disabilities (FACED) She serves on the steering committee for Equip for Equality’s Illinois ADA Project and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities.