About JJ's List

Mission

To bring people with disabilities and businesses together for the benefit of both

JJ's List at a Glance - Click to download .pdf

JJ’s List works at a grassroots level to build a strong movement to help integrate people of all disabilities into the community. Our 501(c)3 non-profit organization runs three core programs:

• jjslist.com - Our community-driven review website is a growing resource of information and advocacy for people touched by disability and businesses.
   
• Safe and Productive Internet Life & Literacy Skills (SPILLS) Curriculum - The SPILLS Curriculum responds to special education teachers' demands for tools to teach Internet safety and productivity. See www.spillscurriculum.com for more info.
   
• Disability-Awareness Training for Businesses - our “Disability Awareness Players” program is a smash hit with businesses in Chicagoland. Through this program, people with disabilities build essential professional communications and networking skills, while helping business employees learn how to interact naturally with people who have disabilities. Click here to download more information.
   

JJ's List in the Media

ABC7	Northbrook Patch	The Daily Northwestern
Shop Wilmette	Evanston Roundtable	Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times	Wilmette Life	Evanston Now
Make It Better	Trib Local	CrowdSPRING
Evanston Review	Quintessential New Trier	Wilmette Beacon

History

JJ Hanley founded JJ’s List as a commitment to help improve the long-term economic and social futures of people with all disabilities.  She was inspired to build the organization while making Refrigerator Mothers, an award-winning PBS documentary on autism, where she learned about the tremendous barriers to basic participation in the community encountered by people with disabilities after they finish high school. Barriers include challenges finding an appropriate place to live, accessing employment, getting around town and participating on the Internet.  Her experience as the parent of a teenager with autism spectrum disorder and learning disabilities gives her personal insight into the critical need to address these challenges. 

People

JJ	Sean	Shuling	Jake
"Known by my children as The Warden, but they know I’m really a softie underneath the tough stuff!"		"Finding a way to bring my two passions of Documentary Filmmaking and Social Entrepreneurship together to create positive social change. Happy and proud to be JJ's right-hand woman!"	"I'm passionate about disability rights, but I'm not too terribly keen yet on self-advocacy it seems. I love music of all genres. Give me historical fiction or nonfiction and I'll be occupied for hours. Also love to eat."
Allissa	Brad	Carol	Chris
Born in 1986 with Down Syndrome, Allissa is working towards developing a means of self-employment. She wishes to employ "motivational speaking engagements" entitled "Great Expectations" to further higher expectations for all children and adults with and without disabilities.	"I have a passion for both technology and disability advocacy.  I love being able to help people solve problems."		"JJ's son and a college student at Georgetown University. And despite what my mom's quote says, no one has ever called her The Warden."
Debbie	John	Cathy	Linsey
Debbie is a community organizer and advocate who believes that human diversity is a great blessing to be appreciated and celebrated. While she has worked to promote interfaith and intercultural understanding and collaboration, she finds promoting inclusion of people with disabilities especially rewarding.	"I'm so busy with self-advocacy and disability awareness work.  I wonder if I'll have time to read my favorite genre books again!"	The Brandell’s were pioneers in Northbrook fighting for full-inclusion and participation in the “regular” school/classroom of their daughter, Allissa (born with Down syndrome) from kindergarten thru 12th grade. Currently, Cathy teaches special education at Arie Crown Hebrew Day school.	"My favorite holiday is Halloween.  I think it would be totally awesome to go on a space odyssey and stop for a stroll on the moon! Also, I am hoping to one day be the proud owner of my very own bouncy house. Peace!"
Marianne	Tim	Karen
A graduate of University of Michigan, Marianne has worked for the past six years as an advocate for the elderly.  She is the mother of two teenagers and has been an active volunteer at their schools and at church.  Prior to that, Marianne worked for PEOPLE magazine in New York and Chicago.