On November 22nd, Kimberly Hill Ridley, New York State’s first Chief Disability Officer (CDO), was sworn into office as a member of the National Council on Disability (NCD) by former NCD Chair Claudia L. Gordon. Her role, along with fellow Council members, is to advise the President, Congress, and other federal agencies on
disability policy.
“[Kim’s] exceptional leadership as New York’s Chief Disability Officer and her deep commitment to disability rights will be invaluable assets to NCD,” Gordon said in a statement. “I eagerly anticipate her insightful contributions as we work to shape a more inclusive and equitable future for all.”
Ridley, who experienced a spinal cord injury in high school, shared with Able News that she feels “honored and privileged” to have received the nomination by Senator Chuck Schumer to become a member of the NCD.
NCD, which became an independent federal agency in 1984, indeed has a rich history. It is known for drafting and recommending the enactment of the first version of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and plays a leading role in crafting policy solutions.
Ridley is ready to use her lived experiences to continue advancing policy, carrying on the legacy of the ADA.
“I absolutely do believe that a person with a disability like myself is in a far better position than someone without a disability to be guiding on policies that affect the lives of Americans with disabilities,” she said. “The disability community mantra of ‘nothing about us without us’ says it all. It is really difficult to be able to make policy about disability issues if you don’t understand what goes into living with one, and this can often lead to unintended consequences.”
Ridley is a strong advocate for equal opportunities for people with disabilities, especially in the realm of employment.
She is confident her 28 years in policy work has prepared her for her mission of helping people with disabilities be seen as people, first.
Ridley understands “that what we need to do right now is find common ground and meet people where they currently are” in order to “assist in the achievement of many significant measures that will improve the lives of people with disabilities greatly.”
“New York is a huge state with a very diverse population,” said Ridley. “There are so many issues that we work on at the state level that I one hundred percent know are also priorities for people all over our great country, and I am excited to work with my fellow council members to tackle them.”
Read all 35 stories of the New York-based leaders profiled in our ADA 35 edition.