NDRN - Press Release Archive

Henry G. Watkins Takes Over as Executive Director of the Arizona Center for Disability Law

Media Contacts:
Peri Jude Radecic, Director of Public Advocacy
Arizona Center for Disability Law
(520) 327-9547, extension 24
Cell: (623) 308-5111

(Phoenix, Ariz.) - On Monday, November 14, Henry G. Watkins takes over as Executive Director of the Arizona Center for Disability Law (Center). The Center is the only non-profit legal advocacy organization in Arizona protecting the rights of children and adults with a wide range of physical, mental, psychiatric, sensory and cognitive disabilities. The Center investigates reports of abuse and neglect; advocates for basic rights to health and mental health care services as well as access to public accommodations; ensures fair housing and equal employment opportunities; and ensures that children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education.

A Phoenix native and Arizona State University graduate, Watkins has worked in private practice in Phoenix and for the federal government in Washington, D.C. He served as a Special Assistant to U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell, Immigration Judge for the U.S. Department of Justice and Assistant General Counsel for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Much of his career has been involved with disability law. Most recently he served as Social Security’s Regional Chief Administrative Law Judge with responsibility for the eight-state Southeast region. The judges and staff under Watkins leadership adjudicated disability and Medicare issues.

As Executive Director, Watkins will be responsible for the overall management and operation of the Center. With offices in Tucson and Phoenix, Watkins will lead a staff of 36 with a budget of 2.87 million dollars. The Center does not charge clients for their services, instead, it is funded through federal, state and local grants as well as the generous contributions of individuals in the community.

As Executive Director, Watkins intends to strengthen Center programs that remove physical and attitudinal barriers that keep people with disabilities from realizing their full potential, achieving their maximum independence, and being recognized as valuable members of the community.

Watkins, in commenting on his new assignment, stated, “The staff at the Arizona Center for Disability Law are dedicated, experienced and highly regarded for the work they have tirelessly done for the past ten years. My thanks and regards to outgoing Executive Director Leslie Cohen who guided this organization for the past decade. I will seek to build on the Center’s excellent record by working with like-minded organizations, policy makers, businesses, institutions and individuals in the community to more fairly and fully integrate people with disabilities into employment, housing, public accommodations, and education, and to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the health and mental health care services they need. Of course, we will continue to vindicate the rights of persons with disabilities, where necessary, by seeking redress before administrative and judicial tribunals.”

The Board of Directors of the Center announced Watkins’ appointment at the organization’s 10^th anniversary celebration in Phoenix on Thursday, October 20. The event celebrated the founding of the Center as Arizona’s only non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting and advocating for children and adults with disabilities.

Watkins replaces Leslie Cohen, who has served as Executive Director of the Center since its founding in 1995. Cohen stepped down from her position on October 21, 2005.

The Arizona Center for Disability Law is a not for profit public interest law firm, dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals with a wide range of physical, mental, psychiatric, sensory and cognitive disabilities. The Arizona Center for Disability Law is authorized under various federal statutes to ensure the protection and advocacy of all individuals with disabilities in the state.