Mayor Adrian Fenty swears in new members of DC Statewide Independent Living Council, dedicated to enacting positive change through advocacy for people with disabilities
Contact: Kate Bigam
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
WASHINGTON, DC, Apr. 1, 2010 - Rabbi Lynne Landsberg, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaisms Senior Adviser on Disability Issues, has been appointed to the DC Statewide Independent Living Council (DCSILC) for a term ending November 3rd, 2012. New members were sworn in at a special ceremony by DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.
The DCSILC is one of the 55 Independent Living Councils organized across the United States representing District of Columbia residents with disabilities. The Council is dedicated to enacting positive change through advocacy for people with disabilities in areas of health care, housing, transportation, education, employment, leisure and recreation, and citizenship.
"I am thrilled and honored to be appointed to the DC Statewide Independent Living Council," Rabbi Landsberg said. "Serving on the DCSILC will provide me the unique opportunity to lend the voice of the religious community to bettering the independent lives of people living with disabilities here in Washington, DC."
In a letter to Rabbi Landsberg on the occasion of her appointment, SILC Director Erica C. Easter wrote, "This honor confers upon you an obligation to be mindful always of the guiding themes of service, responsibility, and integrity as you fulfill your duties. District residents benefit greatly from the talent and dedication that members bring to their work on boards and commissions. We know that you will do an outstanding job."
In 1999, Rabbi Landsberg was in a devastating car crash; as a result, she lives with a Traumatic Brain Injury. Since 2005, she has served as the RACs Senior Adviser on Disability Issues. She co-chairs the Jewish Disability Network, an advocacy coalition composed of representatives of national Jewish organizations and movements, and is the founding chair of the Central Conference of American Rabbis Committee on Disability Awareness and Inclusion. Rabbi Landsberg previously worked as the RACs Associate Director and as Regional Director of the Union for Reform Judaisms Mid-Atlantic Council.
Rabbi Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center, said, "Lynne has long been fiercely dedicated to improving the lives of people living with disabilities, leading the Reform Jewish Movements advocacy in support of the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2009 and coordinating the new Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition. Serving on the DCSILC will allow Lynne to use her leadership, passion, and determination to ensure that the District of Columbia, too, commits to bettering the lives of individuals with disabilities."
