The Passing of Carrie Rozelle: The End of an Era

The disabled community within the United States received some sad news earlier in the week, the New York Times reported the death of Carrie Rozelle. Her death marks the passing of one most powerful voices for the disabled in the United States. Though I never met Mrs. Rozelle, her influence could be felt and seen from New York to Texas to Alaska and even into the corridors of power in Washington D.C.

In June of 2000 I participated in the 2000 National Leadership Conference for Youth with Disabilities, at the conference much of the discussion surrounding the plight of those individuals with learning disabilities revolved around the programs Mrs. Rozelle founded and the ease with which they could be adapted and implemented in other regions of the United States.

Mrs. Rozelle's death marks the end of an era and the start of another. We the disabled community have a duty and a responsibility to ensure the legacy of Mrs. Rozelle remains ever vibrant and undiminished.