Biography

Michael Kiel is a rehab counselor/rehabilitation specialist, advocate and author. He has been working the field of vocational rehabilitation for 25 years at the Hiram G. Andrews Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Kiel works primarily with the Cognitive Skills Enhancement Program (CSEP), but also provides support for the Center for Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology (CART) along with advocacy and outreach. He has spent the bulk of his career working with young adults with disabilities. His career has centered around a comprehensive approach to employment and self-advocacy, which includes cognitive therapy, assistive technology, life skills/social skills, sexuality and intimacy along with many other topics. The overall goal of which is to empower individuals with disabilities to be independent and have an active voice in the world around them, in the hopes that a taste of empowerment will lead to a thirst for independence.