PROFILE

Nationally recognized expert in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Sought-after speaker. Oversaw the first generation of ground-breaking Federal accessibility standards. Key member of task force for the 1991 ADA regulations. Spearheaded and managed the litigation and investigation program of the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the ADA and section 504, achieving compliance through landmark litigation, settlements, and education. Created DOJ’s first disability rights unit and certification program, a national law center for deaf persons, and the enforcement and regulation arms of the Federal Access Board.

ADA ONE, LLC

President, Consultant — August 2008 to Present

  • Provides consulting, speaking, and compliance assessment services to public and private entities regarding titles II and III of the ADA and other disability rights laws
  • Assists with self-evaluations, transition plans, barrier removal plans, investigations, and litigation
  • Engages audiences in interactive training that makes legal principles understandable
  • Offers a comprehensive approach to compliance through alliances with other experts
  • Principal or contributing author of two ADA guides, 2011
  • Consulting editor, Universal Design News

PRIOR EXPERIENCE

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION, WASHINGTON, DC — 1982 to August 2008

Deputy Chief, Disability Rights Section — 1992 to August 2008

  • Developed DOJ’s 1991 regulations implementing the ADA, as key member of five-person task force
  • Actively involved in drafting of 2008 proposed ADA regulations and Accessibility Standards, eventually issued as 2010 regulations
  • Represented the Assistant Attorney General in development and negotiation of the first ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)
  • Oversaw and conducted litigation, investigations, mediations, and settlements
  • Directed initiatives as to effective communication; higher education; health care; transportation; state and local governments; and access to nationwide retail chains, museums, historic buildings, theaters
  • Introduced mediation as a means of resolving DOJ ADA litigation
  • Consulted and assisted in legislative, policy, and regulatory matters
  • Cooperatively managed an office of 125 people

Supervisory Attorney, Coordination and Review Section — 1982 to 1992

  • Established and led the Disability Unit and DOJ’s program for certifying state and local building codes
  • In less than three years, ushered the Fair Housing Amendments regulations and section 504 regulations of more than a dozen agencies through approval by agencies and DOJ; included Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Transportation, and Interior
  • Represented DOJ in regulatory negotiation for first Air Carrier Access Act rules
  • Oversaw regulatory and policy matters concerning disability, race, and sex discrimination

UNITED STATES ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD (ACCESS BOARD), WASHINGTON, DC — 1978 to 1982

Deputy General Counsel, Attorney

  • Advised the Access Board on enforcement, policy, and regulatory matters, including drafting and negotiating accessibility guidelines
  • Supervised, expanded, and strengthened the compliance and enforcement program
  • Brought the first actions under the Architectural Barriers Act, negotiated major agreements

CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY, WASHINGTON, DC — 1976 to 1977

Attorney, Highway Safety Project

NATIONAL CENTER FOR LAW AND DEAFNESS, WASHINGTON, DC — 1974 to 1976

Co-founder and Student Director

PUBLIC SPEAKING AND TRAINING

Frequent speaker and trainer for groups such as National Association of ADA Coordinators, Association of Higher Education and Disability, American Bar Association, ADA Technical and IT Centers, American Institute of Architects, Business Week , National Association of College and University Attorneys

AWARDS

  • US Department of Justice, Special Commendation for Outstanding Service, 2006
  • President’s Committee on Mental Retardation
  • National Center for Law and Deafness
  • National Council for Independent Living
  • Association for Higher Education and Disability, Professional Service Award, 2009

PUBLICATIONS

Renewing the Commitment: An ADA Compliance Guide for Nonprofits, from the Chicago Community Trust, 2011

Building Georgia’s Future, 2011 update of Georgia facilities manual by ADA One and LCM Architects

The American Experience: What Makes the ADA Work, and What Are the Implications for Implementation of Germany’s Accessibility Laws? November 2012 paper presented at the Conference on Legal Instruments for the Enforcement of Accessibility for Disabled Persons in Kassel, Germany, to be published in September 2013

BOARDS

Member of the Board, National Association of ADA Coordinators, 2008 to present

Member of the Editorial Advisory Board, ADA Compliance Guide, Thompson Publishing Group, 2012 to present

EDUCATION

JURIS DOCTOR — 1976
National Law Center, George Washington University
Washington, DC

BACHELOR OF ARTS, FRENCH AND ENGLISH — 1971
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

ADMITTED TO THE BAR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA