Catherine Blakemore has worked as an attorney and director, in legal aid and disability advocacy programs for 40 years. She recently retired as the executive director of Disability Rights California, the non-profit agency established under federal law to protect and advocate for individuals with disabilities. In 2016, she received the Loren Miller Legal Services Award, given annually to a lawyer who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to legal services.

Ms. Blakemore is dedicated to increasing equal rights and opportunities, access to services, and dignity for Californians with disabilities and individuals from other marginalized communities. She is the Vice-Chair of the California Commission on Access to Justice which works to identify innovative solutions and support efforts to increase access to courts and legal resources for low and modest means individuals. She also is a member of Governor Newsom’s Business and Jobs Recovery Task Force, the Master Plan for Aging Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee and the California Health and Human Services Agency Alzheimer’s Advisory Committee
In partnership with Diana Pastora Carson, M.Ed.
Author: Beyond Awareness: Bringing Disability into Diversity Work in K-12 Schools & Communities, and children’s book Ed Roberts: Champion of Disability Rights, ADA 30th Anniversary Edition https://www.dianapastoracarson.com/store
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