Steering Committee

Dr. Ron Bassman is a practicing psychologist and psychiatric survivor. Formerly executive director of the psychiatric survivor organization MindFreedom International and past president of National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA), Ron is author of several works including the book, A Fight to Be: Experiences From Both Sides of the Locked Door.  His current work is centered on community inclusion and social justice.

Rick Black is founder of Center for Estate Administration Reform (CEAR). After fighting to release his father-in-law from criminal guardianship, Rick built a coalition of over 50 families who had lost over $40 million to fraudulent adult guardianships in Las Vegas. This coalition yielded 15 arrests and 12 convictions of lawyers and professional guardians. CEAR has investigated or counseled over 5,000 cases of unwarranted guardianship. As founder of CEAR, Rick advocates for legislative reforms nationally and regularly speaks on the issue at the National Forum on Financial Exploitation by Conservators.

Kate Blaker is a retired person with a disability. She worked thirty years in various positions at a Center for Independent Living, where she gained vast knowledge of state and federal programs. In much of her work, Kate coordinated community services to support and assist people with disabilities, the elderly, and veterans in life choices that provide “dignity with risk.” Kate currently works on policies and legislation to protect and further strengthen programs that benefit people who are disadvantaged by wrongful and restrictive regulations 

Misty Dion, who proudly identifies as having a disability, is the CEO of the Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living (RTFCIL) of North Central PA with over 20 years of experience advancing disability rights and justice on the local, state and national levels. Under Misty’s leadership, RTFCIL has become nationally recognized for its relentless opposition to guardianship, successful transition services and most recently, as the first CIL to provide emergency relocation services reimbursed through FEMA.  She is a founding member of the national coalition, Liberators for Justice and actively participates on a couple subcommittees of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). Misty is also a member of National ADAPT, having founded the North Central ADAPT chapter. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn State affiliate) with her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science/ Human Services.

Tom Earle is CEO of Liberty Resources, Inc., a Center for Independent Living in Philadelphia.  A Pennsylvania licensed attorney, he has been involved in the legal rights of people with disabilities since 1992 and worked previously with the Disabilities Law Project (now the Disability Rights of Pennsylvania) as an attorney representing people with disabilities in federal discrimination cases, and subsequently the ADA Project Manager, coordinating the enforcement of disability rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act across Pennsylvania.

Mike Grier is Executive Director of The Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living (PCIL) and works with Individual CIL Leadership on a statewide basis.  Mike has an extensive background in senior leadership in the behavioral health care industry in multiple states.  At each of these locations, he played a critical role in the integration of people back into their communities from institutions. 

Peter Grosz is co-founder of Roustabout Media and POPFilms LLC. He has worked almost 30 years in broadcast and independent media while dedicating himself the last 20 years to issues involving disability justice. He worked five years as Director of Development for the Illinois Protection & Advocacy System, co-founded one state-wide and one national coalition that work to advance alternatives to institutionalization. He has produced one feature documentary on National ADAPT, a direct-action disability-rights group. Peter holds an MA from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

Thomas Hale, Ph.D., was trained as a regulatory economist and policy analyst, and eventually moved into the field of disability research at the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the 1990s. He recently he retired from the Social Security Administration, where he ran two large demonstration projects for people with disabilities (The Mental Health Treatment Study and the Supported Employment Demonstration Project). Dr. Hale is active in the disability community, participating in Disability Advocates Taking Action (DisDATA), and contributing to the Steering Committee for Liberators for Justice. He has a keen interest in ensuring that guardianship rules and regulations work to the maximum benefit of the people who are subject to them.

Kristina Kapp has worked in the behavioral health and advocacy field for over 20 years as a rights activist/ambassador. She serves as chair of Ohio’s Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) and sits on the Disability Rights Ohio’s Board of Directors. Kristina is also honored to serve on NARPA Board of Directors, and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Mental Health Subcommittee.

Karen Koch serves the disability community as the Advocacy Coordinator at the Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living in Pennsylvania.  She has been involved in disability advocacy since 1987. Karen is a member of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center Training Leadership Network and works closely with the disability community to resolve individual and systemic barriers to Independent Living. 

Tom Olin is most known for his photojournalism and involvement in the disability rights movements and campaigns for disability justice for over the last 40 years. That history includes 10 Independent Living Centers throughout the country, NCIL, APRIL, ADAPT, Not Dead Yet, MindFreedom, SABE, Mouth Magazine, two tours with the “Road to Freedom” bus, CEO of the Disability Rights Center, a founding member of DisDATA, and SILVER. He Recently moved to Tucson, AZ where he joined the board of directors of the Independent Living Center, “DIRECT.”

Kimberly Tissot is President and CEO of Able SC where she guides staff in applying the philosophy of independent living to real situations. Kimberly believes in the value of individualized and community-based empowerment. In 2017, she led the efforts in passing South Carolina’s, “Persons with Disabilities Right to Parent Act” and, in 2018 and 2022, ending subminimum wage in South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human development from Boston University, Wheelock College of Education, and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina.