Phoenix Ambassador Program

Local disability activists lead Abilities Expo’s community outreach efforts through ambassador program

Abilities Expo has appointed Ambassadors—members of the local community of people with disabilities and their families—to spearhead community outreach initiatives. These individuals will meet face-to-face with rehab institutions, independent living centers, local manufacturers, service providers and local associations to generate excitement and increase attendance at each event.

Meet the impressive individuals who have chosen to represent Abilities Expo to the Community.

Domonic Corradin

Domonic grew up in a small town in western Michigan on a "hobby farm" around horses, goats, chickens and nature. An athlete from the start, he competed in little league baseball, track and field, basketball, wrestling, and soccer. Domonic was outgoing, to say the least.

After a traumatic car wreck in December of 1994 at the age of 16 that left him a T5-6 paraplegic, Domonic has continued to chase down opportunities and adventures wherever they may crop up. From the day his wheels hit the ground out of the hospital, he has competed in wheelchair marathons, basketball and road raced handcycles. Beyond being a competitive athlete, he has also maintained that adventurous spirit, backpacking around the world (19 countries, so far...) and getting his wheels dirty on the trails all around the United States.

Domonic loves to try all sorts of new things. Now, more than 25 years post-injury, he continues to get out there, and help others to "do likewise." Domonic founded the company eXtreme Abilities and has organized outdoor adventures and training clinics in southern California, Arizona, as well as creating a satellite program in China (Krankin' Thru China). He also helps with one-on-one peer mentoring and support group meetings in Arizona with various organizations. Over the years, Domonic has been actively speaking at schools around the southwest, motivating and educating children of all ages.

For more information about Domonic, check out his website www.extremeabilities.com and follow his adventures around the world.

Autumn Grant

Autumn Grant was born and raised and continues to live in Massachusetts. Autumn received a BA in Humanities with a concentration in Classics from Providence College, graduating summa cum laude and with the Directors Award for Excellence in the Humanities in 1996. She also received a MA in Higher Education Administration from Phoenix College in 2000.

Autumn was diagnosed at the age of 10 with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy; this came as quite a shock since she had been very physically active, especially in dance. In 1996, shortly after graduating from college, she started using a wheelchair. Grant soon learned that her wheelchair was actually her key to a more independent life

Autumn currently serves as the Senior Academic Advisor in the Academic Achievement Center at Bridgewater State University. As such, she coordinates all academic advising for first year and transfer students. In addition, she mentors students in academic difficulty and serves as an advisor for students studying Elementary Education.

As Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2006 and Ms. Wheelchair America 2007, Autumn promoted her platform “Independence through Education.” Autumn feels that education is the first step towards obtaining independence and spent her year working to eliminate barriers keeping people with disabilities from becoming involved in post secondary education. She hopes she has demonstrated that “Independence through Education” is possible by sharing her own personal story with those she has met. Autumn is the current State Coordinator of the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation and served two terms on the Board of Directors of Ms. Wheelchair America Inc.

Autumn’s hobbies include reading, traveling and spending time with her fiancé Kenny and their “babies,” two dog and three cats. Her love for travel prompted her to create her own travel agency VacationAbility, to help people with disabilities make their travel dreams come true.  Autumn is an active volunteer with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and received an MDA State Personal Achievement Award in 2002. In addition, Autumn is involved in many professional organizations and enjoys presenting at regional and national conferences. She was recently selected as an Emerging Leader by the National Academic Advising Association.

Susan Houston

Susan was born and raised in Massachusetts and currently resides in Wrentham, MA with her husband Joe. She graduated from Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton and went on to study Social Services at Massasoit Community College. 

Susan was born with Spina Bifida, a birth defect resulting in paraplegia. When she was born the doctors told her parents "she would never walk, never sit up and would probably have intellectual disabilities" they were advised to put her in an institution and go on with their lives. One nurse advised them to "take her home and treat her like the rest of your kids."   She is forever thankful this is the advice they took. As a child, she used long leg braces and crutches for her mobility, but these days she uses a manual wheelchair for the increased mobility and independence it provides her.

Due to the dedication of a favorite high school, teacher Susan became actively involved in advocacy at an early age, often attending protests and legislative hearings in Phoenix pre-ADA. As a high school senior she was elected to attend the 26th Annual Student Government Day at the State House in Phoenix; where she spent the day performing as a State Senator.   After graduation Susan had the honor of attending the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped in Washington, DC.

Susan has worked since she was 15 when she spent summers teaching arts and crafts to children with disabilities as part of her town's summer kids program. After college, Susan was employed in the Durable Medical / Custom Rehab Equipment industry. Susan is currently the Branch Operations Supervisor for Hudson Seating and Mobility in their Franklin, MA branch. As an industry professional Susan had previously served several terms as a board member for HOMES (Home Medical Equipment & Services Association of New England).

Susan continues her advocacy work by serving on several boards and commissions, including current President of the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation, Chairperson of the Wrentham Commission on Disability and President of the Massachusetts Hospital School Alumni Association. For the last several years, Susan has attended the National CRT Leadership and Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC to lobby for Custom Rehab Equipment to become a right rather than a privilege for people with disabilities.

Susan's hobbies include a monthly book club, weekly trivia competitions, attending shows and dining out with friends, and spending time with her husband and family.