During the Obama-Biden Administration, Gordon served as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and the Associate Director of Public Engagement for the White House Office of Public Engagement.Adding to Gordons professional expertise is her lived experience as an immigrant at the intersections of race, disability, and gender, which is the foundation for the strong emphasis on disabled individuals with multiple marginalized identities that she brings to her work. OFCCP recently published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking input from the public on ways to strengthen regulations for implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires Federal contractors to take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities. [15], Gordon was part of the Presidential Delegation of Barack Obama sent to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Summer Paralympics. Some cited my deafness as an obstacle rendering it impractical if not impossible to pursue a law degree. Claudia Gordon a trailblazer who reminds us that immigrants, they get the job done. . Growing up, I witnessed her hard work and sacrifices as she struggled to raise my two siblings and me, all on her own, deep in the rural countryside of Jamaica, W.I. I thought I was the only deaf person in the world. from Johns Hopkins University.Emily Voorde, Member, National Council on DisabilityEmily Voorde is an Associate Director with NEWCO Strategies, a full-service strategic consulting firm that helps progressive campaigns, organizations, and companies achieve their goals. In truth, I was raised by a community of women. I felt that a job with the Federal government would more effectively allow me to affect the actual enforcement of laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, thereby alleviating the blatant discrimination that people with disabilities continue to face. In pursuing that mission, OFCCP is leading the way to ensure that the reach for good jobs is truly within the grasp of everyone. Director of Government and Compliance with T-Mobile Accessibility. Deseo toda la felicidad del mundo para ti , alegrias , risas y mucha" NCD is comprised of a team of Presidential and Congressional appointees, an Executive Director appointed by the Chair, and a full-time professional staff.NCDs mission is to be a trusted advisor, in collaboration with people with disabilities, to: the President; Congress; Federal entities; State, tribal communities, and local governments; and other entities and organizations. I want to take the opportunity to remind you all; just in case some" At AU, Gordon specialized in disability rights law and policy. Additionally, he has taught at Temple University and Millersville University as an Adjunct Professor.Two different Governors have appointed Braddy as a Commissioner for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and to serve on the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council. She was the national vice president of the National Black Deaf Advocates from 2002 to 2005. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. She was also the associate director at the White House Office of Public Engagement. He is currently employed with the Native American Disability Law Center as the Community and Government Liaison engaged in Disability Systems Advocacy with the Navajo Nation and other Native American Tribes. Claudia received a B. Like (316) In 2020, she served on the Disability Inclusion Funds grantmaking committee.Previously, Rifkind was Program Manager at The Chicago Community Trust, where she developed their disability inclusion priorities and practices and managed several disability inclusion initiatives, including the Disabilities Fund, ADA 25 Advancing Leadership, and ADA 25 Chicago. Want more stories like this? See Claudia L. Gordon full list of movies and tv shows from their career. While working with impoverished and minority deaf people, she became attracted to the prospect of working in a Federal office. While there she developed and executed technical assistance and training to JFO staff and coordinate resolutions of discrimination and accessibility issues. Gordon went on to earn adegree in Political Science at Howard University, then went on to study disability-rights law and policy at American Universitys Washington College of Law. At the time, she was in the care of her elder sister Mildred Taylor, a teacher. By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. Many shrugged off my grand intention as wishful thinking. [18], Gordon has been active in both the black deaf community and the cross disability community. My aunt Mildred was also a very important role model, along with my grandmother Viola Parsons. February 29, 2016 by Sue Ann Rodriquez 1 Comment. The NAD operates on a shoe-string budget and the law center staff fluctuates from two to four full time attorneys working tirelessly to keep pace with incoming discrimination claims and requests for technical assistance from among the 36 million deaf and hard of hearing individuals in America. [3][8], It was in high school when Gordon knew she wanted to be a lawyer, with the discrimination she experienced in Jamaica as her inspiration. Heres What We Know, INTERVIEW: Cary Elwes Understands the Assignment of Guy Ritchie Movies for Operation Fortune, Walgreens Caves to Republicans, Limits Sales of Another Reproductive Healthcare Item, Florida Man Fulfills His Destiny as a Netflix Crime Series, The 13 Best Ted Lasso Quotes to Read When the World Has Made You Feel Weary, Thank You to the FDA for Telling Elon Musk He Cant Put Chips in Our Brain. Many shrugged off my grand intention as wishful thinking. What I do know is that the life of this woman ostracized as dummy almost became my own but for my mothers triumph in successfully bringing me to America by the time I was eleven years old. Gordon shared her ongoing quest to create spaces in society for seldom-heard voices in her TEDx Talk: Owning Otherness.[35]. After having sharp pains in her ears, her aunt, who took care of her at the time, took her to a small clinic, as there were no hospitals. Princess (she/her-bisexual) is a Brooklyn born Megan Fox truther, who loves Sailor Moon, mythology, and diversity within sci-fi/fantasy. When my service to the President is over and I have to face my family, my friends and my communities as an African American, as a woman and as a deaf person what I hope to look back on is not a single moment, but rather a series of opportunities where I used my seat at the table and my voice in the decision-making process to improve the lives of those who seek to redeem the promise of America, the promise that brought my mother here all those years ago. Claudia L. Gordon Director of Government and Compliance with Sprint Accessibility Claudia L. Gordon is the Director of Government and Compliance with Sprint Accessibility, a Business Unit within Sprint Corporation that offers communication products and services to reduce or eliminate communication barriers for customers with disabilities. Previously city included Lacombe LA. Shortly thereafter, Claudia's mother brought her to the United States in search of opportunities for her daughter. Benally is also involved with the National Congress of American Indians, Disability Sub-Committee. It would also be helpful to create a network of support in your community. My aunt Mildred is a teacher, and as such she instilled in us the importance of a good education. Despite all the hardships, they created a positive environment in which all of us children could be properly nourished with a sense of responsibility, dignity and pride. She works at the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and has. She was the vice president of the National Black Deaf Advocates. Maude Baggetto is in the Office of Public Engagement focusing on Women and Girls. At age 11, she attended Lexington School for the Deaf and learned American Sign Language (ASL) there. A. degree from Howard University . WeCo Accessibility Services Reach us at: 855-849-5050 accessinfo@theweco.com, 2730 West Lake Street Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55416. She provides advice and technical assistance to the leadership and components of DHS that are geared towards implementation and enforcement of disability civil rights laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. One of these activities is the mock trial sponsored by the American Bar Association. My interest in working for the Federal government was sparked while working as a Skadden Fellow and staff attorney at the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Law and Advocacy Center from 2000-2002. Sign language on this site is the authenticity of culturally Deaf native-signers. Born in Jamaica, Claudia became deaf at age 8. We'll be in touch with the latest information on how President Biden and his administration are working for the American people, as well as ways you can get involved and help our country build back better. [16], Before joining T-Mobile to lead strategies for disability-inclusive culture and accessible work environment,[17] Gordon was a Senior Manager of Government and Compliance at Sprint. At Howard, Gordon was a Patricia Robert Harris Public Affairs Fellow, a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, and the Political Science Honor Society. Become a subscriber and support the site! No one gets here by him or herself so I am grateful to a lot of people. After a year in service, she was appointed as an attorney advisor and later promoted to senior policy advisor for the United States Department of Homeland Security, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Get to know her by reading this post. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Previously, Claudia was a Planning & Performance Mo nitoring Officer at HEART Trust/NTA and also held positions at Lexington School for the Deaf, Goje Frozen Yogurt, Department of Homeland Security. - Gordon, Obama White House, 30 August 2010[5]. Claudia L. Gordon is Director of Government and Compliance with T-Mobile Accessibility a Business Unit within T-Mobile that offers communication products and services to reduce or eliminate communication barriers for customers with disabilities. November 1st, 2016 Claudia L. Gordon is the first deaf Black female attorney in the United States and the first deaf graduate of American University's law school. Claudia L. Gordon, Esq. The discrimination, that she experienced in Jamaica and in general, inspired her to become a lawyer. None of the doctors did anything to really help or make clear what was going on. She was one of the only approximately fifty qualified deaf lawyers in the U.S. and Canada back then. Born in Jamaica, Gordon became deaf at the 8 years old after having sharp pains in her ears. I am motivated by knowing that although progress is being made towards inclusion and access, there is still a great deal more work to be done. [1] She currently works as a Senior Accessibility Strategy Partner at T-Mobile within its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team. It is uplifting when you are able to empower another and help someone discover a sense of self-worth and confidence in his or her abilities. Looking back, I wish I knew her real name. When she immigrated to America -- the South Bronx --she kept right on working to ensure that within a few years she would be reunited with her three children, whom she had left in the care of her eldest sister, my aunt Mildred Taylor. Claudia is a Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). Along with her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, she also earned a spot in The Patricia Roberts Harris Public Affairs Fellowship, Golden Key National Honor Society, and Political Science Honor Society. Log In. Its always a joy when I get to work closely with my boss, OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu. She currently serves as the Senior Accessibility Strategist with T-Mobile US, Inc. Claudia Gordon is the third featured guest in the Council on Women and Girls: Meet the Women of the Administration series. Her mother immigrated to the South Bronx, in New York, so that she could earn a better living, and planned to reunite with her children as soon as she could. Aries Model. American University Washington College of Law, American University, Washington College of Law, United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, American Association of People with Disabilities, United States Secretary of Homeland Security, List of first women lawyers and judges in the United States, "Employee Spotlight: Disability Awareness Starts with All of Us and Benefits All of Us TMobile Newsroom", "Meet the Women of the Administration: Claudia Gordon", "Claudia Gordon: America's First Deaf Black Woman Lawyer is Jamaican Born", "Claudia Gordon: 1st African American Female Deaf Lawyer", "NCD Applauds Appointment of Claudia Gordon as Public Engagement Advisor at the White House", "Skadden Fellows | Skadden Fellowship Foundation", "Disability Rights Campaigner, Claudia Gordon, joins DeafKidz International as Global Ambassador", "Trustee Appointed to White House Office of Public Engagement", "President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to Attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Paralympic Summer Games", "Previous AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award Recipients", "| U.S. $140 per post at $7/CPM. Claudia L. Gordon, Esq. After two years of no education, Claudia and her mother immigrated to New York. During the Presidency of Barack Obama, she served as the Special Assistant and subsequently as the Chief of Staff to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Director in the United States Department of Labor. Her deafness gave her an opportunity to discover her identity, strengths, and personal growth with many positive qualities. After becoming deaf, Gordon experienced discrimination in Jamaica as deaf and disabled persons are stigmatized. kkitt1, Your email address will not be published. Gordon is also associated with the National Coalition for Disability Rights , where she is part of their national governance, Sources: http://deafness.about.com/od/deafwomen/p/claudiagordon.htm http://www.deafpeople.com/dp_of_month/Gordon.html, Sylvia Walker: A Champion for Disability Rights, Filed Under: Access Awareness, General, Making a Case for Accessibility, [] at the National Association of the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center, giving her the opportunity to provide direct representation and advocacy for poor deaf persons with a particular emphasis on outreach []. She was also active in sports, student organizations, and community activities. In Jamaica, Gordon could not get an education, so she moved to the United States where she attended first a public school, then the Lexington School and Center for the Deaf in New York. Born in Jamaica, Gordon went deaf around the age of eight years old after she suddenly developed severe pain in her middle ears. She was a woman of profound faith and perseverance up until the very day she lost her six year battle with ovarian cancer in 2000. Washington, DC 20500. Foreign-born deaf lawyer uses opportunity in America to help those with disabilities during emergencies. Texas Zero Property Tax Bill Has Extreme, Discriminatory Catches, Eurovision 2023 Tickets Announced on Ticketmaster, Celebrating Womens History With Qiu Jin, Chinese Revolutionary, The Penguin Tells a Batverse Scarface Story. Claudia Gordon is the first female African American deaf lawyer in the United States. Philanthropic organization are vital to the work of advancing disability inclusion and access. Voorde recently returned to her hometown of South Bend, Indiana. She also is the first deaf student to graduate from the American University (AU) Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. in 2000. grew up in Jamaica, and when she went deaf at the age of eight, she was pulled from school because it was believed that her disability prevented her from learning. Prior to DOL she was a Senior Policy Advisor with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. She wanted to have direct involvement in the enforcement of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, combating in order to make sure that the laws were really being utilized to help those who needed it the most. A one-size-fits-all emergency preparedness and response approach for people with disabilities does not take into account that, for example, that those who are deaf have one set of needs when a catastrophe strikes, while those with mobility impairments have a whole other set of needs, Gordon stated, this misperception can be corrected by having planners understand that you cant indentify someone as simply having a disability. You need to go beyond their essence, look at the functional limitations their disability creates, and then make a plan to address those practical limitations., For those with disabilities, Claudia offers the following emergency preparedness advice: Make sure you and your family are prepared.

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