Katie Johnson

Katie Johnson is an alumna of the University of Delaware, holding a degree in Public Policy with a minor in Disability Studies. While completing her undergraduate program, Katie pursued a master of Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management. Her interest in disability centers around cross-disability social justice movements, radical accessibility, inclusive education and employment, and community-based, self-determinant living. Katie hopes her blog posts reflect her engagement as a scholar and her interest in public policy.

Through CDS, Katie worked with the Access:Ability Scholars program as a peer mentor to first year scholars. Katie is also a site leader trainer for UDAB (University of Delaware Alternative Breaks), where she trained student leaders in areas such as leadership development, diversity and inclusion, and justice topics, to promote active citizenship on campus. When she isn’t working, she enjoys traveling, eating out with her friends, or watching Netflix.

Daniel Lanier

Daniel Lanier is an alumnus of UD’s Career and Life Studies Certificate (CLSC) program, a two-year offering that provides individuals with intellectual disabilities classroom, campus and internship- and career-building experiences. A self-advocate, Daniel is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through writing and sharing his personal experiences as a person with autism.

Daniel has participated in the Special Olympics of Delaware, and in 2006 received two gold medals in basketball and volleyball, as well as a bronze medal in bowling. These days, he’s an active member of the Brandywine Social Club and an artist for the Creative Vision Factory in Wilmington.

When not studying or working, Daniel enjoys spending time with family, writing poetry and reading. He lives with three roommates in Newark in an assisted living program provided through the state of Delaware.

David Lynch

David Lynch was a member of the executive committee of CDS’s Community Advisory Council.

As a self-advocate, David brought a personal perspective to navigating the disability community and was passionate about seeking improvements for persons with disabilities.

Earlier in his career, David worked in several financial institutions in Delaware.

David lived in Wilmington, Del., at the Mary Campbell Center, a collaborative community that seeks and applies innovation to enhance the well-being and independence of persons with disabilities.

David passed away on March 23, 2016.

Beth Mineo

Beth Mineo is the director of the Center for Disabilities Studies and an associate professor in the School of Education at the University of Delaware. She also directs the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative, which has helped thousands of individuals find and acquire AT.

A speech language pathologist with a doctorate in Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Pittsburgh, Beth  has helped pioneer new communication interventions and assistive technologies; secured more than $20 million in federal funding for disability-related programs and projects; and contributed to a new Communication Bill of Rights as a member of the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities (www.asha.org/njc). Beth also has served as editor-in-chief of the journal Assistive Technology.

Beth’s an avowed “policy geek.” But most of all, she says she enjoys working with multiple stakeholders on bringing concepts to reality, particularly those that can enable people to live the lives they want for themselves. When she’s not busy with her family, friends and dogs in Newark, Del., Beth’s often planning her next project, be it a trip to Scotland, an archeological dig, or a pursuit tied to art and music.