United Spinal's Roll on Capitol Hill Selects Mike Mohr of Madison, Wisconsin to Represent Disability Community
In D.C. @UnitedSpinal to Strengthen Employment Opps for People w #Disabilities #ROCH2013 http://ow.ly/kPKZN
NEW YORK, May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association recently announced Mike Mohr, a wheelchair user and lawyer from Madison, Wisconsin, will join other prominent disability advocates at United Spinal Association's Roll on Capitol Hill, June 16-19 in Washington, D.C.
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Mohr, 31, will speak directly with legislators to raise awareness of spinal cord injuries and diseases (SCI/D) and to promote employment opportunities for this population of Americans.
"People with disabilities should not have to fear losing the benefits they have when pursuing employment opportunities and a rewarding career," said Mohr.
"It's contrary to America's values and stifles initiative," he added.
Mohr was spinal cord injured in a diving accident at age 15 while attending high school in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He now works as an associate in the Madison office of Perkins Coie LLC, focusing on patent and general commercial litigation.
"For a 15-year-old who was beginning to get his first taste of independence, it was a tough situation," added Mohr, who underwent rehab at the Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee.
"The people I met in rehab were instrumental in my recovery. They showed me that living with a spinal cord injury didn't mean you couldn't achieve your goals and do what you wanted to in life," he said.
He went on to receive a BA in History with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison before attending the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Mohr is an advocate for greater accessibility for people with disabilities within their communities and for the "visitability movement"––which encourages all builders of new and existing homes to include accessibility features.
Away from the courtroom, Mohr helps NSCIA's Madison, Wisconsin Chapter introduce the local disability community to new resources, social events, and adapted recreational activities. The chapter also offers peer mentoring support to individuals coping with new spinal cord injuries.
"Mike's experiences will be a tremendous asset in our efforts to bring policy issues affecting people with disabilities to the attention of legislators during Roll on Capitol Hill," said Alexandra Bennewith, MPA, United Spinal's Vice President of Government Relations.
About United Spinal Association
United Spinal is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post-polio. It played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with SCI/D. United Spinal was instrumental in getting New York City to create sidewalk curb ramps and accessible public transportation that has been used as a model for many United States cities.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Alexandra Bennewith
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=111409
Media contact:
Ahvi Spindell
Media Relations Services
United Spinal Association
(212) 580-4567
[email protected]
Twitter @ahvispin
SOURCE United Spinal Association
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