Join Jett Foundation’s Community Webinar Series on Thursday, November 10 at 1PM EST as we welcome John Howell, MA, CRC and Stephen Sundarrao for a presentation and discussion on accessible driving and what to consider before getting behind the wheel.
We will also here from Jack Wolf who will share how accessible driving has brought him a new level of independence while living with Duchenne.
Guest Speakers
John Howell, MA, CRC
John T. R. Howell was appointed to the position of Area Director for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in September of 2009. Having worked for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation since 1996, John has held jobs in counseling and management. Mr. Howell is currently one of seven Area Directors in the state and is based in Florida. He is responsible for thirteen Vocational Rehabilitation offices in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando Counties of Florida.
As Area Director, Mr. Howell currently sits on three local CareerSource Boards as well as the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities, Community Advisory Committee. He works very closely with the University of South Florida where he serves on the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program’s Professional Advisory Committee and the RSA Project Advisory Committee.
In 2017, John was awarded the Department of Child and Family Studies “Community Partner Award.” Mr. Howell has a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation from Troy State University and a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of South Florida. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a member of the National Rehabilitation Association. He is also very active with a local charitable and social organization, as well as the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, also known as the Rough Riders, where he served as President in 2020 -2021.
Stephen Sundarrao
Stephen Sundarrao is an Associate Director for USF Center for Assistive, Rehabilitation, and Robotics Technologies (CARRT). He has two patents issued with him as the inventor and his company has commercialized five patented products developed at USF. His undergraduate and graduate education is in Mechanical Engineering and has over 25 years of experience as a rehabilitation engineer, managing a statewide program. He is certified by RESNA as an Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) and Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (RET).
Stephen served on the Board of Directors of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA), National Health Advisory Board for the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI), and the Florida Department of Health’s Disability Taskforce on Bioterrorism. He currently teaches the Capstone Design Course for senior mechanical engineering students, which develops 10-15 new innovative technologies for individuals with disabilities annually. He regularly presents papers at national and international conferences. Stephen’s research interests include advanced vehicle modifications, ergonomics, and mobility devices for individuals with disabilities. His expertise includes design, product development, marketing, and commercialization. He received the Presidential Award from NMEDA and an award from the University of Miami for Course Development and Recruitment for their online training in Assistive Technology. He is actively involved with the State Vocational Rehabilitation program to develop policy and training for better integration of Rehabilitation Technology Services. Stephen served on the advisory board for the RERC on Wheelchair Transportation Safety at the University of Michigan. Recent awards include Engineer of the Year (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), Innovation Research Award (USF) and Florida Governors Point of Light.
