Tia Nelis

Self-Advocacy Specialist 

Bio

Tia Nelis is a Self-Advocacy Specialist at Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, Institute on Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago. She also is the past chairperson of the national organization Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered. She has founded People First of Illinois and has successfully promoted People First. Ms. Nelis has served as president of People First of Illinois and Naperville. And has been honored with the Burton Blatt Award by the Illinois Tash, and the Elizabeth Boggs award from AAMR. Ms. Nelis has drawn on experiences relating to her own disability in promoting and demonstrating the benefits of empowerment for people with disabilities. She has wide experience in conducting training and advocating for progressive polices with legislators and public officials.