I will always remember her for the hats she wore.  I am sorry for the loss to Indiana.

 

Eric E Jacobson

Executive Director

Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities

Office Phone: (404) 657-2120

Web Site:  www.gcdd.org

 

From: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com <xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com> On Behalf Of Dahlberg, Christine M
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 3:30 PM
To: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com
Subject: DD Councils passing of Indiana advocate and former Executive Director of the Council : Suellen Jackson-Boner

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

 

Many of those who have been with your Councils for a long time will remember our past executive director Suellen Jackson-Boner who retired 5 years ago and passed away from Kidney cancer this weekend. She was positive and optimistic to the end. I worked with and for her for over 40 years she was a mentor and a friend. Below is some information and a link to the Council’s Facebook page where you are encouraged to leave a memory or picture

https://www.facebook.com/GCPDIndiana/

 

The Council lost one of its own last weekend.

Suellen Jackson-Boner wore many hats—both figurative and literal—during her thirty years as executive director, and she was instrumental in the development of the Council from an Advisory Board into a fully-fledged independent state agency, one of the first national Developmental Disabilities Councils to do so. She championed livable communities and the idea that people with disabilities should be fully included in communities and neighborhoods; the independent living movement and the establishment of the state’s first cross disability independent living center; voting rights and access for people with disabilities; supported employment, and the creation of Self Advocates of Indiana.

Under her direction, the Council helped organize Indiana advocates to support the cause of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990; began to celebrate and promote March Disability Awareness Month; wrote the first DD Home and Community Medicaid Waiver; created the Indiana Conference on Disability; and provided advocacy training to over 600 people with disabilities and families through Partners in Policymaking; and so much more.

Suellen was a progressive force who understood that big changes are the result of well planned, small, incremental steps over time. Her generosity, determination, and passion touched many lives, and she will be missed.

Hats off to you, Suellen

 

 

Christine Dahlberg

Executive Director

Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities

Indiana Government Center South, Room E145

402 West Washington Street

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Phone: (317)232-7770

Fax: (317)232-0257
gcpd.in.gov
xxxxxx@gcpd.in.gov
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