Additions to Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities in Philadelphia

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Mayor Jim Kenney and the Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities gather at City Hall. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Mayor Jim Kenney and the Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities gather at City Hall. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

A group that represents the disabled in Philadelphia city government is getting five new board members — and some new energy.

Charles Horton, who has served as executive director of the Commission on People with Disabilities since 2011, will continue to head the group.

“I look forward to working to make Philadelphia a more inclusive and diverse city,” he said. “But without access, there is not inclusion, no diversity, no equality.”

Mayor Jim Kenney said the commission should have a name change.

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“When I think about the Commission on People with Disabilities, I would like to change the name to Commission for People with Remarkable Ability,” he said.

Kenney said he’s amazed at how people can live with challenges and not complain about it and keep an upbeat attitude. Those, he said, are remarkable abilities.

The new appointments are Lauren DeBruicker, a partner at the Duane Morris law firm; Adam Devlin of New Vitae Wellness and Recovery; Elizabeth Hill of the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf; Kevin Mundey, an American Sign Language interpreter; and Lauren Sheller, attorney at the law firm of Sheller PC   Returning to the commission for another term are Dario Bellot, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf; Gregory Bones, Inglis House and Inglis Foundation; Nakea Fuller, Philadelphia Housing Authority;  Renee Kirby, Temple University;  Ajantha Nanayakkara, Global Abilities Foundation;  the Rev. Patricia Russell, SEPTA Advisory Committee; Zuleika Santana Torres and Sharon Shecter Cohen, Montgomery Home Care and Hospice. 

 

 

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