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• Independent Certified Instructor (ICI) of Sign Language

• Award-winning Advocate and Trainer related to Access for All

• Consultant – arts, education, local & state businesses over 30 years

• Grant review services

• Complimentary needs assessor and instructor

• Promoter and advisor of students pursuing Sign Language Interpreter goals

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Ms. Jo Fenton, retired Training Coordinator for the Advocacy and Outreach Division of the NYS Justice Center for People with Special Needs, has 30 years’ experience developing and implementing award-winning services and training programs for persons with disabilities with a focus on teamwork and helping people to relate better to one another.

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A nationally recognized advocate, trainer, conference coordinator, and keynote speaker, she has helped a variety of educational, parental, cultural, medical, sports, business and arts organizations.  An invited Witness at the Inspire ‘85 Forum under White House auspices, Jo was responsible for several recommendations made to the President and Congress, including the establishment of a national accessibility clearinghouse. Due to Ms. Fenton’s arts accessibility program, The Egg at the Empire State Plaza, was named the most accessible theatre in the country by a University of Maryland study in 1985.

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Jo specializes in developing innovative trainings with respect to diversity and inclusionary practices and programming. She developed a unique activity-based curriculum and statewide training program for the NYS Education Department on building effective collaborative processes that included parents of children with disabilities and all members of the team. Most recently, she was presented with the “Trainer of the Year” award from the Long Island Communities of Practice.

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Hunter College Vocational Rehabilitation graduates benefitted each semester from a required graduate program training that provides an overview of the purpose, use and funding sources of assistive technology.  She has authored a variety of training curricula for the NYS Department of Health, NYS Board of Election Officials, and other local, state, and community organizations.

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With a B.S. in Physical Education and M.S. in Elementary Education, Jo holds permanent NYS teacher certification K-12. She is an Independent Certified Instructor (ICI) for Baby Signs Too, a member of the National Association of the Deaf and the former Disability Services Coordinator for Capital Region BOCES.