ELIZABETH (LIZ) WEINTRAUB

"When people refer to us as 'special needs,' that bothers me, because we are also citizens of this country with needs just like anyone else. I love being an advocate for people with disabilities and helping them 'grow' just like people have taught me how to grow."

Elizabeth (Liz) Weintraub has a long history of leadership in self-advocacy, and has held many board and advisory positions at state and national organizations. She is a full-time member and Senior Advocacy Specialist of the AUCD's policy team, and also the host of "Tuesdays With Liz: Disability Policy For All," where she works to make polices in accessible language, so policy is accessible to all.

In the Spring of 2018, Ms. Weintraub served as a Fellow for Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, working in his DC Office where she helped lead the way on disability policy by helping the Senator hold the administration accountable for disability stakeholder input into key programs; calling attention to the need for accessible supports and services for students and

employees with disabilities on college campuses who have been sexually assaulted. She helped organize a first-of-its-kind Pennsylvania Disability Employment Summit with over 250 participants. Said Senator Casey: "Liz has shown the Senate how important it is to have staff members who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. She's helped reshape the culture of the Senate."

In the fall of 2018, Ms. Weintraub told the story of her personal experience as a woman with disabilities, as she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the potential implications of a Kavanaugh confirmation to the civil rights of people with disabilities.

Prior to coming to AUCD, Ms. Weintraub worked for the Council on Quality & Leadership (CQL). She completed the LEND training program at the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University. She was past Chair of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. She is rejoining the Council for another term. Ms. Weintraub has received numerous awards, recognition, and commendations for her work. She enjoys mentoring people with disabilities. •

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