Timothy Nugent | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 10, 1923 |
| Died | November 11, 2015 (aged 92) |
| Education | Tarleton State University University of Wisconsin–La Crosse University of Wisconsin–Madison |
Timothy Nugent (January 10, 1923- November 11, 2015), also known as the "Father of Accessibility," founded the first comprehensive program of higher education for individuals with disabilities in 1948. He served as professor of rehabilitation education and director of the Rehabilitation Education Center and the Division of Rehabilitation Education Services (DRES) at the University of Illinois.[1] He retired in 1985. He founded the National Wheelchair Basketball Association in 1949 and served as commissioner for the first 25 years. He also founded Delta Sigma Omicron, a national rehabilitation service fraternity. He was president of the National Paraplegia Foundation (now National Spinal Cord Injury Association) for four terms. He has been an international lecturer and consultant, as well as an advocate, publisher, and researcher on behalf of people with disabilities. He was a leader in the development of architectural accessibility standards, public transportation, adaptive equipment, and recreation activities for people with disabilities. He has been and continues to be active in many professional organizations, including the American National Standards Institute, the Illinois State Legislative Commission on the Hospitalization of Spinal Cord Injured, the Committee on Technical Aids, Housing and Transportation of Rehabilitation International, and the Institute for the Advancement of Prosthetics.[2]