About the W.E.A.N. Director...
Women Embracing
Abilities Now
JANICE Y. JACKSON, MS
Janice Y. Jackson, MS, is the Creator and Program Director of W.E.A.N. Her beginnings in higher education began at Baltimore City Community College. There, she earned two Associate of Arts degrees, one in Human Services and the other one in Mental Health. From there Janice received a Wilson Transfer Scholarship to attend the University of Baltimore where she earned a bachelor's degree in Human Services as well as a Master of Science degree in Human Service Administration. Presently, Janice is employed at the University of Baltimore where she is an adjunct professor teaching Ethical Studies to undergraduate students.
Janice is very active in her community. Janice is serving as a commissioner on the Maryland Department on Disability and a commissioner for the Baltimore Mayor's Commissioner on Disability. She is a board member for the League For People With DisABILITIES as well as sits on the Human Rights Board at the League for Persons with DisABILITIES. She is chair of the board at the Image Center for Independent Living and sits on the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council. She is also a board member for the Hoffberger Center for Professional Ethics and the Ms. Wheelchair America Inc. Janice has spent the last 38 years mentoring and being a peer counselor to many, many persons with disABILITIES. She currently serves as a peer counselor at University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute, Good Samaritan Hospital, the Christopher Reeve Foundation, and nursing homes through-out Baltimore.
During the 37 years of her disABILITY she has founded three support groups, We Are Able People (W.R.A.P.), We Are Able People 2 (W.R.A.P. 2) and Women On Wheels & Walking (W.O.W.W.). These support groups were used as a mentoring tool to help women with disABILITIES live successfully with their challenges.
Janice held the title of Ms Wheelchair Maryland and Ms. Congeniality 93-94. She went on to become 1st runner-up and Ms. Congeniality in the Ms. Wheelchair America Program 94. This platform gave her the opportunity to travel and serve as spokesperson for every person in the state of Maryland who had a disABILITY, spreading the message that “Your DisABILITY Is Just A Part Of Who You Are.” She still does a lot of advocating and motivational speaking.
Janice is a writer and poet. Her writings have appeared in Essence Magazine, Accent for Living Magazine, the book Body and Soul, the Baltimore Sun, Horizons Newspaper, Prince Georges Journal, and the Afro Newspaper. She has also written a line of disABILITY poetry.
More About Janice...
Janice prior to accident at age 24.
At the age of 24 Janice was hit by a car while talking to a friend by a young man who dropped a cigarette while driving. Was left an C 5-6 incomplete Quadriplegic.
Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 93-94
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Janice received the 2012 Presidential Citizen's Medal Award.
Feb 15, 2013
