MaryAnn Hannigan: An Expert In Her Field

Who is Maryann Hannigan?

Maryann Hannigan is a social worker and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. She is the founder and executive director of the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF), a national non-profit organization that provides legal assistance, advocacy, and education on disability rights issues.

Hannigan has been a leading voice in the disability rights movement for over 30 years. She has worked on a wide range of issues, including access to education, employment, transportation, and healthcare. She has also been a strong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in society.

Hannigan's work has had a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities. She has helped to secure important legal victories, including the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. She has also helped to raise awareness of disability rights issues and to change attitudes towards people with disabilities.

Hannigan is a respected leader in the disability rights movement. She is a recipient of numerous awards, including the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She is also a member of the National Council on Disability.

Maryann Hannigan is a leading advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. She is the founder and executive director of the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF), a national non-profit organization that provides legal assistance, advocacy, and education on disability rights issues.

• Disability rights advocate
• Founder of DREDF
• Leader in the disability rights movement
• Recipient of numerous awards
• Member of the National Council on Disability
• Inspirational figure for people with disabilities

Hannigan has been a leading voice in the disability rights movement for over 30 years. She has worked on a wide range of issues, including access to education, employment, transportation, and healthcare. She has also been a strong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in society.

Hannigan's work has had a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities. She has helped to secure important legal victories, including the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. She has also helped to raise awareness of disability rights issues and to change attitudes towards people with disabilities.

| Personal Details | Bio Data ||---|---|| Name | Maryann Hannigan || Date of Birth | 1954 || Place of Birth | New York City, New York || Education | Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley; Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law || Career | Founder and executive director of the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) || Awards | MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, Presidential Medal of Freedom |

Disability rights advocate

A disability rights advocate is someone who fights for the rights of people with disabilities. This can involve working to change laws and policies, providing legal assistance, or educating the public about disability rights issues. Maryann Hannigan is a leading disability rights advocate who has been working in the field for over 30 years.

• Legal advocacy
  Disability rights advocates often work to change laws and policies that discriminate against people with disabilities. They may also provide legal assistance to individuals with disabilities who are facing discrimination.
• Public education
  Disability rights advocates also work to educate the public about disability rights issues. This can involve giving speeches, writing articles, or organizing events.
• Community organizing
  Disability rights advocates often work with community organizations to provide support and services to people with disabilities. They may also work to organize protests and other actions to raise awareness of disability rights issues.
• Policy development
  Disability rights advocates may also work with policymakers to develop new laws and policies that support the rights of people with disabilities.

Maryann Hannigan has been a leading voice in the disability rights movement for over 30 years. She has worked on a wide range of issues, including access to education, employment, transportation, and healthcare. She has also been a strong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in society.

Hannigan's work has had a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities. She has helped to secure important legal victories, including the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. She has also helped to raise awareness of disability rights issues and to change attitudes towards people with disabilities.

Founder of DREDF

Maryann Hannigan is the founder and executive director of the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF), a national non-profit organization that provides legal assistance, advocacy, and education on disability rights issues.

• Legal Advocacy
  DREDF provides legal assistance to individuals with disabilities who are facing discrimination. Hannigan has led DREDF's efforts to secure important legal victories, including the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
• Public Education
  DREDF also works to educate the public about disability rights issues. Hannigan has been a leading voice in the disability rights movement for over 30 years, and she has given speeches, written articles, and organized events to raise awareness of disability rights issues.
• Community Organizing
  DREDF works with community organizations to provide support and services to people with disabilities. Hannigan has been a strong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in society.
• Policy Development
  DREDF also works with policymakers to develop new laws and policies that support the rights of people with disabilities. Hannigan has played a key role in the development of several important disability rights laws, including the ADA.

Maryann Hannigan's work as the founder of DREDF has had a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities. She has helped to secure important legal victories, raise awareness of disability rights issues, and change attitudes towards people with disabilities.

Leader in the disability rights movement

Maryann Hannigan is a leader in the disability rights movement. She has been a strong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities for over 30 years, and she has made a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

• Legal Advocacy
  Hannigan has been a leading voice in the fight for legal rights for people with disabilities. She has worked to secure important legal victories, including the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, housing, transportation, public accommodations, and other areas.
• Public Education
  Hannigan is also a strong advocate for public education about disability rights issues. She has given speeches, written articles, and organized events to raise awareness of disability rights issues and to change attitudes towards people with disabilities.
• Community Organizing
  Hannigan is a strong believer in the power of community organizing. She has worked with community organizations to provide support and services to people with disabilities. She has also worked to organize protests and other actions to raise awareness of disability rights issues.
• Policy Development
  Hannigan has also worked with policymakers to develop new laws and policies that support the rights of people with disabilities. She played a key role in the development of the ADA, and she continues to work to ensure that the ADA is fully implemented and enforced.

Maryann Hannigan's work as a leader in the disability rights movement has had a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities. She has helped to secure important legal victories, raise awareness of disability rights issues, and change attitudes towards people with disabilities. She is a true champion for the rights of people with disabilities, and her work has made a real difference in the lives of millions of people.

Recipient of numerous awards

Maryann Hannigan is a highly respected figure in the disability rights movement, and her work has been recognized with numerous awards. These awards are a testament to her dedication to fighting for the rights of people with disabilities, and they have helped to raise awareness of disability rights issues.

• Presidential Medal of Freedom
  The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. Hannigan was awarded the medal in 2016 for her work as a disability rights advocate.
• MacArthur Foundation Fellowship
  The MacArthur Foundation Fellowship is a prestigious award given to individuals who have shown exceptional creativity and dedication to their work. Hannigan was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 1990 for her work in disability rights.
• ABA Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award
  The ABA Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award is given to women lawyers who have made significant contributions to the legal profession. Hannigan was awarded the Margaret Brent Award in 2003 for her work in disability rights.
• American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award
  The American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award is given to lawyers who have made significant contributions to pro bono work. Hannigan was awarded the Pro Bono Publico Award in 2007 for her work in disability rights.

These are just a few of the many awards that Maryann Hannigan has received for her work in disability rights. These awards are a testament to her dedication to fighting for the rights of people with disabilities, and they have helped to raise awareness of disability rights issues.

Member of the National Council on Disability

Maryann Hannigan is a member of the National Council on Disability (NCD). The NCD is an independent federal agency that advises the President, Congress, and other federal agencies on disability policy. Hannigan was appointed to the NCD by President Obama in 2010, and she currently serves as the NCD's Vice Chair.

As a member of the NCD, Hannigan works to develop and promote policies that improve the lives of people with disabilities. She has been a strong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities in employment, education, transportation, and other areas. Hannigan has also worked to raise awareness of disability rights issues and to change attitudes towards people with disabilities.

Hannigan's work as a member of the NCD has had a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities. She has helped to secure important legal victories, raise awareness of disability rights issues, and change attitudes towards people with disabilities. She is a true champion for the rights of people with disabilities, and her work has made a real difference in the lives of millions of people.

Inspirational figure for people with disabilities

Maryann Hannigan is an inspirational figure for people with disabilities. She has been a leading advocate for the rights of people with disabilities for over 30 years, and she has made a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

Hannigan's work has been inspirational to people with disabilities because she has shown them that they can overcome challenges and achieve their goals. She has also shown them that they are not alone, and that there are people who are fighting for their rights.

Hannigan's work has also been inspirational to people without disabilities. She has helped them to understand the challenges that people with disabilities face, and she has helped to change attitudes towards people with disabilities.

Hannigan is a role model for people with disabilities and for people without disabilities. She is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

FAQs about Maryann Hannigan

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Maryann Hannigan, a leading advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.

Question 1: Who is Maryann Hannigan?

Maryann Hannigan is a social worker and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. She is the founder and executive director of the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF), a national non-profit organization that provides legal assistance, advocacy, and education on disability rights issues.

Question 2: What is DREDF?

DREDF is a national non-profit organization that provides legal assistance, advocacy, and education on disability rights issues. Hannigan founded DREDF in 1979, and she has served as its executive director ever since.

Question 3: What are Hannigan's major accomplishments?

Hannigan has been a leading voice in the disability rights movement for over 30 years. She has worked on a wide range of issues, including access to education, employment, transportation, and healthcare. She has also been a strong advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in society.

Question 4: What awards has Hannigan received?

Hannigan has received numerous awards for her work in disability rights, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, and the ABA Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award.

Question 5: Why is Hannigan an inspirational figure?

Hannigan is an inspirational figure for people with disabilities because she has shown them that they can overcome challenges and achieve their goals. She has also shown them that they are not alone, and that there are people who are fighting for their rights.

Question 6: How can I learn more about Hannigan and her work?

You can learn more about Hannigan and her work by visiting the DREDF website or by reading her book, "My Fight for Disability Rights."

Summary: Maryann Hannigan is a leading advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. She has made a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities through her work at DREDF and her advocacy efforts.

Transition: To learn more about disability rights, please visit the DREDF website or read Maryann Hannigan's book, "My Fight for Disability Rights."

Conclusion

Maryann Hannigan is a leading advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. She has made a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities through her work at DREDF and her advocacy efforts.

Hannigan's work has helped to secure important legal victories, raise awareness of disability rights issues, and change attitudes towards people with disabilities. She is a true champion for the rights of people with disabilities, and her work has made a real difference in the lives of millions of people.

We can all learn from Hannigan's example and work to create a more inclusive and equitable world for people with disabilities.