September 17 , 2009 Press Release

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President's Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities

By Jody Record, Media Relations

DURHAM, N.H. – A new commission will help to promote the empowerment and inclusion of students, faculty, staff and guests with disabilities at UNH.

The President’s Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities joins three existing Boards: the President’s Commission on the Status of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues; the President’s Commission on the Status of People of Color; and the President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

The Office of Affirmative Action and Equity developed a proposal to create the fourth committee at President Mark Huddleston’s request.

According to the proposal, “despite activism and the passage of legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, people with disabilities still experience discrimination, segregation and barriers to inclusion in mainstream society.”

The new commission will advise the president and other campus officials on disability–related issues, policies, services, attitudes and practices on campus.

One goal of the group is the full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of university life.

Commission members include:

Ruth Abelmann, Associate Director, Residential Life
Daniela Adler, Co-Chair Associate Director, Center for Academic Resources
Peter Macalaster Office Assistant, Institute on Disability
Bruce Mallory Professor, Department of Education
Edie Posselt, Staff Psychologist
Vilmarie Sanchez, HR Business Partner
Lonn Sattler, Veteran’s Coordinator
Carol Swiech, Co-Chair Academic Counselor, Disabilities Coordinator
Dirk Timmons, Director of Transportation
Terri Winters, Director of Academic Technology
Anthony Zizos, Associate Vice President Operations

The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Its mission is to advance policies and systems changes, promising practices, education, and research that strengthen communities to ensure full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a New England liberal arts college and a major research university with a strong focus on undergraduate-oriented research. A land, sea and space-grant university, UNH is the state’s flagship public institution, enrolling 11,800 undergraduate and 2,400 graduate students.

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