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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 29, 2007 CONTACT: Peri Jude Radecic, Executive Director (520) 327-9547, extension 23 Peri Jude Radecic Takes Over as Executive Director of the Arizona Center for Disability Law Radecic to implement organization’s new strategic plan. Phoenix, Arizona....Today, Peri Jude Radecic (pronounced Rad-ah-sick) 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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native and University of Arizona James E. Rodgers Law School graduate, Radecic has worked to expand civil rights for all Americans for over 20 years.  Radecic joined the Center in 2003 as a staff attorney and has focused her work on voting rights and state public policy issues.  Prior to that, she served as the Civil Rights Manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in Washington state enforcing federal civil rights laws with recipients of federal funds.  Her civil rights expertise also includes  lobbying for passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in Washington.  During the ADA debate, Ms. Radecic was the civil rights lobbyist for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force working to ensure that individuals with HIV and AIDS were included in the ADA. As Executive Director, Radecic will be responsible for the overall management and operation of the Center.  With offices in Tucson and Phoenix, Radecic will lead a staff of 29 with a budget of 2.2 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, Radecic intends to carry out a new three year strategic plan for the organization.  “The Center’s Board of Directors is committed to increasing the availability of much needed legal and advocacy services to children and adults with disabilities across Arizona,” said Radecic.  “With shrinking federal resources, my job will be to secure new community, corporate and foundation support and use those dollars to reach communities outside of the metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Tucson.  We have a talented and dedicated staff who are experts in disability rights.  We need to be able to get our staff into communities across the state and expand opportunities for children and adults with disabilities.” Mary Slaughter, President of the Board of Directors, commenting on Radecic’s new assignment, stated, “Peri Jude has done an excellent job as Acting Executive Director of the Center.  She has already expanded our fundraising capacity and the Board is looking forward to her leadership as she carries out our new strategic vision.  She brings a wealth of organizing, fundraising, lobbying, non-profit management, civil rights enforcement and legal experience and is uniquely qualified to strengthen civil rights for children and adults with disabilities.” Radecic replaces Henry Watkins, who has served as Executive Director of the Center from 2005-2006.   Radecic has been serving as the Acting Executive Director since Watkins departure from his position in October 2006. -30- 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.

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