Key Note Speakers Announced
Bradley McDaniels
Meaningful employment is an under-leveraged determinant of emotional well-being for
people with disabilities and those who serve them. Drawing on positive psychology and
psychological capital theory, this presentation synthesizes evidence showing that work
perceived as purposeful, autonomous, and strengths-based amplifies hope, resilience,
and self-efficacy while mitigating stigma, demoralization, depression, and turnover.
Attendees will learn a framework for cultivating meaningful work through assessment,
job crafting, and environment design. The session closes with practical, actionable
recommendations for rehabilitation practitioners committed to translating meaning-
centered employment into sustained quality-of-life gains.
Russell Lehmann
Russell Lehmann is an award-winning and internationally recognized motivational speaker, poet, author, and activist. He is known for his work in raising raw and transparent awareness about autism, mental health, and disabilities.
Harboring immense wisdom and insight, Lehmann has delivered TED talks, is a contributor for Psychology Today, and has a significant following on social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. He also serves on numerous national boards, task forces, and councils.
His impactful speeches and poetry have inspired and educated many about the nuances of autism and mental health, while also contextualizing the intersection of disability and society.
Russell shares his intense and painful personal journey of being diagnosed with autism at the age of 12 after 5 weeks in a lockdown psychiatric ward for severe OCD and phobias. These struggles, on top of a lack of support, compassion, and understanding, led him to withdraw from the world for the next 15 years.
Junfei Lu, Ph.D., CRC
In the demanding work of state vocational rehabilitation service agencies, counselors often prioritize clients’ needs above their own. This presentation will explore practical, culturally responsive self-care strategies that protect well-being, prevent burnout, and sustain professional excellence. Attendees will also be introduced to the newly formed Asian Rehabilitation Counseling Society, a professional community dedicated to advancing research, practice, and cultural competence in serving Asian populations. Together, we will discuss how fostering counselor wellness and embracing diversity within our field strengthens services and outcomes for all we serve.
Glenn Heath, CTCM
Glenn Heath has been with Special Projects since October 2017, as a program specialist, with a primary focus on employment-related projects and initiatives.
Glenn has over forty years of experience working with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), mental health (MH) challenges, severe cognitive and physical challenges, and specialty juvenile programs. He began his career in high school when he went to work for a large Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICF-IID) facility in the Food Service Department. During his 34 year tenure at the facility he served in the roles of direct service worker, Unit Shift Supervisor, Physical & Recreational Therapy Education Director, and Unit Director.
Glenn has also participated in many statewide initiatives and projects that have had an impact on the many populations that the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) serves. Recently, Glenn was instrumental in facilitating a study on occupational training programs for persons with IDD as required by Senate Bill 2027 (85th legislature). He served as the project lead for the HHS Vocational Apprenticeship Program. This project provided apprenticeship opportunities for Texans with IDD and MH in a multitude of competitive integrated job environments.
Glenn has BS from Stephen F. Austin University with many other credentials acquired through the years of service. He and his wife Lisa have four children scattered over Texas. Time at home is spent most days with his wife and their canine family of French bulldogs.