ADA Co-Author Dies

From Ginny Thornburgh, Director, AAPD's Interfaith Initiative (July 12, 2009):

I was so sorry to read of the death of Harold Snider at age 61. He was a strong and focused advocate when Dick [Thornburgh] and I knew him in the late 1980's and 1990's. According to the paper: President George H.W. Bush appointed him in 1990 as deputy executive director of the National Council on Disability. He founded "Access for the Handicapped" in 1978 and worked in conjunction with the National Federation of the Blind to develop NFB-Newsline, a free dial-to-listen newspaper and magazine service.

From the Washington Post (July 12, 2009):

Advocate for Blind Helped Craft Disabilities Law
By T. Rees Shapiro

Harold W. Snider, 61, a prominent advocate for the blind who helped craft legislation that expanded the civil rights of Americans with disabilities and aided in the launching of an audible newspaper service, died June 26 at his home in Rockville after a heart attack.

While growing up in Jacksonville, Fla., Mr. Snider said he was forced out of regular third-grade classes because he was blind. His parents sued the Duval County school system, and Mr. Snider became the first blind student in the county to graduate from public school.

The experience launched Mr. Snider's interest in advocacy...

>>> For the Full Article

Comments

[Susan D]

My condolences and prayers go out to Harold Snider's family and friends! He was a wonderful servant of all persons with disabilities. He is with Justin Dart now with the angels in heaven. May he rest now after his years of sacrifice and faithful service!

Susan D.
Advocate for Disability Rights
Houston, Texas

[Patricia Sprofera]

Mr. Snider was an early pioneer of the disability movement. My he continue to watch over it, among the angels. Condolences to his family and to his friends.