The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) congratulates Deb Haaland on her historic confirmation to be the next United States Secretary of the Interior.
The Department of the Interior (DOI) upholds America’s important responsibilities and commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities, and provides necessary information on how to address today’s various societal challenges, including climate change adaptation.
“We join the rest of Indian Country in congratulating Secretary Haaland,” said Therese Yanan, Executive Director of the Native American Disability Law Center, a member of NDRN.
There are many unique barriers faced by Native Americans with disabilities, and the Native American Disability Law Center, the designated Protection and Advocacy system in the U.S. that advocates for the legal rights of Native Americans with disabilities in the Four Corners region of the Southwest, empowers Native Americans with disabilities to lead independent lives in their own communities.
“We appreciate her interest in and commitment to the needs of Native Americans with disabilities and we look forward to a revitalized relationship between Native communities and the Federal Government that is based on respect and open communication,” continued Yanan.
“Secretary Haaland brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Department and we look forward to working with the secretary and her team to remove barriers faced by people with disabilities within their work,” said NDRN Executive Director Curt Decker. “It is long overdue that America’s highest levels of government leadership looks like America, and I am ecstatic Secretary Haaland will finally be able to share the voices of Native Americans as she makes history as the first Native American ever appointed to a Cabinet position.” continued Decker.
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The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the P&A/CAP Network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.
