Fenty appoints first director of 'Disability Rights'

[Guest guest]

Fenty appoints first director of 'Disability Rights'

http://www.washingtoncontinent.com/TWCstories/TWCnewspages2007/fenty_

appoints_first_director_of_07_09100084.htm

D.C. Mayor M. Fenty yesterday nominated Eve Hill, nationally

known expert on disability rights law, as director of the Office of

Disability Rights, a cabinet-level position.

" As the District strives to improve the lives of residents, I am

pleased to add a new cabinet-level office and an expert to bring us

into full compliance with all disability laws, " Fenty said in

announcing Hill's appointment.

The Office of Disability Rights was developed by the D.C. Council in

collaboration with the disability community. Fenty introduced the

bill to create ODR while serving on the D.C. Council.

ODR will have responsibility for ensuring that the D.C. government

complies with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and other

disability rights laws.

" Eve's dedication and work in the field of disability rights will

prove to be an asset to us all, " Fenty said.

Hill brings vast experience and knowledge to the position. For

almost a decade she served as executive director of the Disability

Rights Legal Center, which advocates for the civil rights of persons

with disabilities. She also was a visiting associated professor of

law at Loyola Law School where she taught Disability Rights Law and

Special Education Law.

Before working with DRLC, Hill was an attorney with the Disability

Rights Section of the U. S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights

Division, where she worked with state governments to amend codes to

achieve ADA equivalency, investigated and practiced disability

rights enforcement, and created the ADA Mediation Program.

The Office of Disability Rights will provide training and technical

assistance, public information and outreach, investigation,

evaluation and compliance.

" I am honored to have been selected to serve as the first director

of Disability Rights, " Hill said. " It is clear that this District's

committed to inclusive workplaces that accommodate persons with

disabilities throughout District government. "

Before joining the Justice Department, Hill was an associate with

the Washington, D.C. firm of Pierson Semmes & Bemis. She earned a

J.D. cum laude from Cornell Law School and a Bachelor of Arts magna

cum laude from Sweet Briar College.

Hill has been admitted to the bars in California, Maine and the

District of Columbia as well as the U.S. Court of Claims and the

U.S. Supreme Court.