How IBVI’s Kevin Fortune is Making an Impact Through the Wisconsin Rehabilitation Council
At IBVI, we’re proud to highlight the many efforts—both within our organization and throughout the community—that support individuals with disabilities and empower them to truly thrive. One example is the Wisconsin Rehabilitation Council (WRC), which helps shape policies and programs that create “pathways to meaningful employment and greater independence.”
Appointed by the governor, its members work alongside state agencies to improve vocational rehabilitation services like: access to education, job training, employment opportunities, and life skills training.
Last June, our very own Kevin Fortune, customer service representative and a member of our public policy team, was chosen by Governor Tony Evers to serve on the council and contribute to this important mission.
Advocacy, Leadership, and Public Service
Advising and assisting the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the WRC approves budgets, ensures fiscal responsibility, and ensures that the department’s programs are effective.
Kevin represents individuals who are blind or visually impaired, a role he takes very seriously, and one he considers a great honor.
Kevin serves on the Services to Business Committee, which connects individuals with disabilities to vocational rehabilitation services in the business world. He admits that it’s a commitment, but it’s one he loves, especially as he grows in this new role as council member.
Challenging Times, Fulfilling Work
Recent policy shifts and a charged political landscape have definitely added more stress and uncertainty to Kevin’s work with the WRC. However, he remains determined to keep the mission and vision front and center, as he’s driven by the growing need for the services provided.
“It has been quite interesting, and that’s an understatement” he said jokingly, while reflecting on the challenges ahead. “Budgets are tight, funding is unstable, and some of those who normally would be helping have chosen to retire, or not get involved altogether.”
While these circumstances are challenging, Kevin sees the moment as a healthy opportunity for collaborative service. “Some of this is good though – I’m big on accountability and ensuring taxpayer money goes where it’s supposed to. It’s healthy in that it makes us evaluate everything, it calls for us to process things thoroughly and ask tough questions instead of just checking boxes or going through the motions.”
Kevin also acknowledges that businesses are feeling stuck in this uncertainty too, with many facing hiring freezes. It’s an added layer they’ve had to contend with. “The temptation is to do nothing and kind of bury your head in the sand,” said Kevin. “But that’s been the problem in the past, so it’s motivation for us now to reach out and use the opportunity to educate others.”
For Kevin, it’s all about raising awareness and getting people involved. “If any good thing is coming out of the current challenges we’re facing, it’s that lots of people are coming out of the woodwork, speaking up, and supporting the cause.”
Meeting Needs, Creating Opportunities
Speaking of motivation, Kevin emphasizes the WRC’s mission and vision, especially in their service across the state.
“We’re there to get placements and get people with disabilities jobs out in the workforce. This includes equipping people with what they need to do just that. It’s what I truly love about this role and work. It’s not welfare, it’s not charity—we’re trying to get people the opportunity to work, be self-sufficient, have dignity, and thrive. At the end of the day, that makes a huge difference.”
A big part of that process is helping businesses understand which tools and technology are available to them, especially when it comes to what’s needed to accommodate workers with disabilities. “Often they think this person is blind, they probably can’t do this job…or this person has autism or Down syndrome so they probably won’t be as productive. This of course is wrong, but we’re there to help educate, to help train, and to help inform these businesses of the many skills and talents awaiting them within this segment of the workforce.”
Kevin also explained that even if it’s not a full-time position, maybe it means simply establishing new internships, or starting similar programs to take steps forward. In his opinion, that kind of involvement and participation always leads to mutual growth taking place.
Making a Difference
After having lived in a few cities across the US, Kevin feels honored to have seen so many successes along the way in his time here in Wisconsin. Reflecting on victories like the new bus route in West Allis and the transportation tax credit in Madison, both are tangible changes that have impacted the lives of countless people across the state.
“It really makes you feel good that you’re making a difference. A lot of times politically, or with activism in general, changes take time. Sure, you may get the word out and you celebrate that, but you don’t always get actual ‘fruit on the tree’ so to speak. But we’re seeing productivity, we’re seeing doors open, people are talking, and those conversations are going beneath the surface to produce real changes, so that’s great.”
His involvement with the WRC is truly a win-win, both for the disabled community at large and for IBVI as well. Kevin is one of the few representatives to have served from the blind and visually impaired community, and it’s evident how vital and important that representation is. Whether it’s helping general protocol and procedures become more accessible and inclusive, or providing a new perspective on challenges, his impact is evident, and he’s thankful for that.
But it’s also a win for IBVI as well. Kevin’s presence has brought a lot of positive attention to IBVI, too. Kevin may be visually impaired, but everyone is seeing that he gets things done and is a difference maker. “They say they’re not playing down there about reaching out to the disabled community and employing people who are blind and visually impaired. So it’s great to see our name getting out there and for us to be getting positive recognition.”
He continued, “I always tell our President CJ Lange, we’re the best kept secret in Milwaukee. We’re affecting the whole world from right here.”
