FSACentral is proud to once again celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month by featuring people with disabilities sharing their advice & experiences. We lost some momentum in October due to the hurricanes so are extending our employment profiles into November.
As we close National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) we are going to highlight Michelle Zeman who works as the Director of Clinical Development at Victoria Transcultural Clinical Center, a clinic that provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services in Fairfax, Virginia.
Michelle Zeman lives in Winter Springs, Florida. She works remotely 75% of the time and travels to Virginia the other 25%. She is a FL SAND Fellow and the Advisor of MAGICAL, FL SAND's self-advocacy group serving Greater Orlando. She is also the host of Safe Space - The ABA Podcast and one of the hosts of REACH for Knowledge - Autism Society of Florida’s podcast.
Employer: Victoria Transcultural Clinical Center, Fairfax, Virginia
Position: Director of Clinical Development/Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Duties and Responsibilities: I direct behavior technicians on a weekly basis, act as a case manager for neurodiverse clients (mostly clients with autism) between ages 2-18 as well as their families, and I mentor behavior technicians who want to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst like myself.
Years on the job: 1.5 years
What is the best advice or encouragement you’d give to a fellow self-advocate about accessing or keeping employment? The best advice I’d give to a fellow self-advocate about accessing or keeping employment is that if you face rejection, keep going and keep proving people wrong. I work with some of the smartest, sweetest, and most talented human beings - and they have proven me wrong time and time again.
What advice would you give employers about hiring a person with a disability? Give people with disabilities a chance to thrive in your organization. Welcoming people with disabilities into your organization means creating a more inclusive, dynamic workplace where everyone’s unique skills and perspectives contribute to growth and success. By offering equal opportunities and accommodations, you allow individuals with disabilities to fully participate, innovate, and thrive—benefiting both them and your organization.
In your opinion, how does employing a person with a disability help their quality of life? Hiring someone with a disability can make a positive difference in their life, providing them with a sense of purpose, independence, and belonging. When they’re given the opportunity to contribute their talents and feel valued in the workplace, it boosts their confidence and overall well-being. Knowing that an employer believes in them and appreciates their abilities makes them feel genuinely respected and supported.
What’s the most important employment-related challenge you face as a person with a disability? The most significant employment-related challenge that I face as a person with a disability all has to do with communication - specifically, written communication. Sometimes, written communication can come off as being disrespectful. There was one instance where I communicated my concerns about a situation over email (because I’m a firm believer in getting everything written). I got a response that not only dismissed my concerns, but their exact response was “we don’t need to lose our marbles.” I took that email very personally and ended up actually giving myself a mental health day afterwards because I felt like I couldn’t give my all to my clients nor the employees I work with.
How should we be advocating for better employment opportunities and practices in Florida? Employers should provide training on how to work well with employees with different types of disabilities. This training isn’t just about being inclusive—it’s about building a workplace where everyone feels supported and understood. By learning practical ways to communicate and support each other’s needs, all employees can work together more smoothly. Creating this kind of environment helps employees with disabilities feel respected and able to do their best work.
Florida Self-Advocacy Central would like to thank Michelle for her time and thoughtful answers.
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