Robyn Lewis

Robyn Lewis, Ph.D. has more than 25 years of experience advocating, educating and supporting individuals with disabilities. She currently works for the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) as the senior policy advisor and legislative liaison. She also serves as the DRS project manager for the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) Illinois grant demonstration project. 

A retired special education teacher, Robyn spent 22 years teaching transition-related life and vocational skills to students ages 18-22 diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. Through teaching and advocacy work, she established relationships with employers and the community at large, working to meet the demands of the local labor market. Robyn specializes in customized employment, job developing, job matching and job carving; pairing people’s unique skills and interests with employer needs. Her tenure in the field was dedicated to providing quality, fully-immersed, community-based training, bridging the transition gap between secondary education and adult services.

Robyn’s current work intends to change society’s views of and expectations for individuals with disabilities while leveling the playing field through policy and legislative changes. By increasing knowledge, understanding the needs of workers and employers, and creating allies, she intends to create a culture where the value of workers with disabilities in the workforce is fully realized.   

Education

Ph.D., Special Education, Saint Louis University, 2021
M.B.A., Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2005
B.S., Special Education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2000