Miss-Delectable
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Deaf Lawyer to Head FCC's Disability Rights Office - The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times
Gregory Hilibok has been named the new head of the Federal Communications Commission's Disability Rights Office - the first time a person with a disability has headed the office.
Hilibok, who is deaf, has been an attorney in the office since 2001. His appointment comes as the FCC moves to implement the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.
The legislation “will make it easier for people who are deaf, blind or live with a visual impairment to do what many of us take for granted — from navigating a TV or DVD menu to sending an e-mail on a smart phone,” said President Obama when he signed the law last month. “It sets new standards so that Americans with disabilities can take advantage of the technology our economy depends on.”
Hilibok became known nationally for his role as spokesman for the Deaf President Now movement in 1988 at Gallaudet University, where he was student body president. The protest led to the selection of the university’s first deaf president.
After graduating from Gallaudet with a degree in government, Hilibok earned his J.D. from Hofstra Law School.
“Greg will be heading up the Disability Rights Office at a crucial time, as the FCC ramps up to implement the most significant disability law in two decades,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski in a press release. “Greg possesses extensive knowledge in the field of telecommunications access for people with disabilities as well as the leadership qualities necessary to lead the office.”
Gregory Hilibok has been named the new head of the Federal Communications Commission's Disability Rights Office - the first time a person with a disability has headed the office.
Hilibok, who is deaf, has been an attorney in the office since 2001. His appointment comes as the FCC moves to implement the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.
The legislation “will make it easier for people who are deaf, blind or live with a visual impairment to do what many of us take for granted — from navigating a TV or DVD menu to sending an e-mail on a smart phone,” said President Obama when he signed the law last month. “It sets new standards so that Americans with disabilities can take advantage of the technology our economy depends on.”
Hilibok became known nationally for his role as spokesman for the Deaf President Now movement in 1988 at Gallaudet University, where he was student body president. The protest led to the selection of the university’s first deaf president.
After graduating from Gallaudet with a degree in government, Hilibok earned his J.D. from Hofstra Law School.
“Greg will be heading up the Disability Rights Office at a crucial time, as the FCC ramps up to implement the most significant disability law in two decades,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski in a press release. “Greg possesses extensive knowledge in the field of telecommunications access for people with disabilities as well as the leadership qualities necessary to lead the office.”
