UNIVERSAL CONSULTANTS, INC                                                               A MULTI DIVISION COMPANY 708-344-9021 OWNED BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

ABOUT HERB HOFFMAN,

 FOUNDER OF

UNIVERSAL CONSULANTS, INC.

AND

ABLE HOME AIDES

AND

CONGRESS OF DISABLE PERSONS AGAINST EXPLOITATION

---

  DISABILITY

• Born with cerebral palsy which has affected his motor movements and speech. Uses feet to type, write, file, etc.

• Educated at Spaulding School for the disabled.
• Graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL with a B.S. degree in Earth Science.
• Graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, IL with a M.S. in Earth Science. Thesis paper was on the measurement of wave height, wind speed and water temperature of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior by satellite.

•  National Weather Service - June 1973 to Present
 Romeoville, Illinois

Physical Scientist with primary responsibilities in the area of climatic monthly summary publication and the programming of a tornado and climatic  data base for the state. Use the information to write and publish a booklet on tornadoes. Aid other agencies with co-publications,  data base management and aid in telecommunications. Research micro-climates. Produce video tape on tornado awareness and a 26-week TV show on weather.  Produce a winter awareness video. These duties involved considerable research and issuance of preliminary, interim and final documents for local and national usage.  Compilation of statistical information and the conclusive commentary has been accomplished by means of a personal computer. Co-published "Early Illinois Tornado" and Local Climate summaries. From 1992 to 1993 I aided and supervised the development of a regional climate office at Northeastern Illinois University.

•  Herb help found Able Home Aides, Weather Law data Service and The Weather Climate Data Service; divisions of UNIVERSAL CONSULANTS, INC.
Primary responsibilities for Able Home Aides is to find usefull independent living products for selling on our web site. Advice clients on the best products for their needs, and design accessibility living house plans.

Herb became aware through his own experiences, that there was a need to find and sell quality products to aid disabled persons to live where they choose, and not be warehoused in a nursing home.

• To education for disabled persons, their parents, family, caregivers, federal, state and local agencies on a vision that living in ones own home is far more healthier and productive then in a nursing home.
• To advocate the right to live and work with dignity.
• To build accessible housing, and train on how to live on their own.
• To train Personal Assistants on how to care for a disabled person.

• To provide information to businesses needing special packaged weather data

• To provide information to attorneys needing special packaged weather data for legal use.

ACTIVITIES & ACHIEVEMENTS
 
 

Civic activities, volunteer positions and the resulting acknowledgments or awards are discussed.
 

ACTIVITIES
 

Diversity Committee for U.S. Department of Commerce
Federal board --- 2000 to present

Committee member

Federal Executive Board Team (FEB)1995 - 2000
 

Diversity member

FEB 1995 - Present
 

Co-author1994 - 1996

Co-published "Early Illinois Tornado" and Local Climate summaries.

Vice-Chair

FEB/EEO Committee 1994 - 1998
 

EEO head for
National Weather
Service in Chicago. 1994 - Present

Work with Federal Executive board on EEO matters. Aid in setting up a workshop on disability issues.
 

Supervisor 1992 - 1993

Supervise in developing climate information center at Northeastern University.
 

Speaker 1970 - Present

Groups and classes, which varied from the high school level students to medical and business organizations, on the concerns of the disabled. Organized symposiums for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Author 1975 - 1990

Local and national newspapers have published articles on concerns of the disabled. This included ACHIEVEMENT, C.O.P.H. BULLETIN and the CDR REPORT. Foundation of Science and the Handicapped.

Editor 1983 -1984

Editorial Board for the Council for Disabled Rights. An organization with the primary intent of enhancing the relay of information to concerned individuals.

President 1982 - Present

Universal Consultants, Inc. is an advisory group which will assist business organizations meet the needs and requirements necessary for the purpose of utilizing the talents of handicapped individuals. Provides information for financial, scientific, and organization planning.

Treasurer 1977 - 1978

Illinois Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Authority (IDDAA) has the responsibility of authorizing the state grants to organizations promoting major environmental improvements which aid the handicapped. Managed annual budget for grants in excess of $900,000.00

Manager 1979 - 1980

Directed the talents of four individuals while in the capacity of Committee Chairman for Public Information and Training with the IDDAA (Illinois Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Authority).
 

Editor 1988 - 1990

Editor of newsletter for the Foundation of Science and the Handicapped.
 

Producer 1991

Produced tornado and winter awareness tapes. Also produced a 26-week TV show.

AWARDS
 
 

Outstanding Handicapped Federal Employee of the Year --- 1977

Submitted by immediate supervisor to a national committee for comparison with other applicants employed by the U.S. government.

Honor Roll for Handicapped Persons in Chicago 1977 - Ten Outstanding Young Citizens
 

1978 - Chicago Hall of Fame for the Disabled.

1980 - Service to the Disabled.
 

1983 - Distinguished Service Award - C.O.P.H.

1983 - Junior Association of Commerce and Industry award is annually granted on the basis of achievements attained.
 

"Someone You Should Know" television program with Mr. Harry Porterfield  --- 1977

 Interviewed by Mr. Porterfield for television program highlighting individuals who have made major achievements inspire of overwhelming odds or disadvantages. Video tape has been shown a number of times on Chicago's CBS television station.
 

1989 - Follow-up interviewed by Mr. Porterfield for television program highlighting individuals who have made major achievements inspire of overwhelming odds or disadvantages.
 

1990 - Recognition award for film production on tornado and awareness films and TV series on weather.

1996 - Recognition award for FEB/EEO committee work.

ADVISORY POSITIONS

Title Year Organization
 

Advisor 1995 Access Living
 

First Vice Chairman 1983 - 1984 Chicago Disabled Coalition

Panelist 1983 Mayoral Forum

Committee Chairman 1983 - 1985 Metropolitan Chicago Access Living By-Law
 

Board Member 1983 - 1985 Committee for Access Living

President 1983 - 1985 Council for Disability Rights

Vice Chairman 1981 - 1983

Member 1982 - 1985 Chicago Disabled Coalition

Employment Chairmen 1977 - 1984 (FSH) Foundation for Science and the Handicapped

Board Member 1982 - 1986

President Elect 1986 - 1987 (FSH)

President 1988 - 1990 (FSH)

Employment Chairman 1974 - 1986 (COPH) Illinois Council of Congress for Physically

Handicapped

Vice Chairman 1980 - 1981 (IDDAA) Illinois Developmental Disabilities

Advocacy Authority
 

Committee Chairman 1979 - 1980 IDDAA
 

Treasurer 1977 - 1978 IDDAA

Vice Chairman 1981 - 1985 Chicago Human Rights Authority for the

Guardianship and Advocacy Commission

Chairman 1985 - 1987 Chicago Human Rights
 

Planner 1988 Mayoral Forum

Chairman 1990 - 1992 Combined Federal Campaign
 
 
 
 
 

CONTACTS
 
 
 

SCR TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, STAN RAKESTRAW, V.P. 773-768-7000;
 

SETUP COMPANY AND GOT CTA CONTRACT.
 

CTA CONTACT

664-7200 X 3030;

733-7000 X6798; 432-7137;

ADVISORY FOR MAYOR DALEY 312-744-5763

Michelle Piel

312-746-8330

SIDNEY HOLLENDER

313-746-8690
ASSIST. TO THE COMMISSIONER TO CHICAGO DEPT. OF HUMAN SERVICES