April Dunn facts for kids
April Dunn (born July 6, 1986 – died March 28, 2020) was an American activist who worked for the rights of people with disabilities. She lived in Louisiana and was a leader in helping people with disabilities. April was the chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council (LDDC). She also worked in the governor's office. April Dunn was well-known for helping to pass a law called Act 833. This law gives students another way to graduate if they cannot pass standardized tests in Louisiana.
Early Life and Challenges
April Dunn was born on July 6, 1986. Her biological mother put her up for adoption. When she was five months old, a teacher named Joannette Dunn adopted her. April grew up in Covington, Louisiana and Baton Rouge with her mother and grandmother.
April was born with cerebral palsy and a condition that affected her development. As a child, she often had breathing problems and pneumonia. She went to Glen Oaks High School. However, she could not get a diploma when she graduated. This was because she was unable to pass the required standardized tests in the state. Her own experience later helped her fight for other students.
Working for Change
April Dunn became very involved in supporting Act 833 in the Louisiana State Legislature. This law was passed in 2014. It created "alternative pathways for grade promotion and graduation for students who have not passed standardized tests." This meant students could still move forward in school and graduate even if they struggled with tests.
April spoke in front of committees and met with lawmakers. She shared her own story about not getting a diploma. She was there when Governor Bobby Jindal signed the bill into law.
April later became the vice-chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council (LDDC). She showed strong leadership skills and soon became the chair. In 2018, as chair, she pointed out that information about Act 833 was hard to find. She said that "information on the department's website was difficult to access."
In 2017, April started working for the governor's office of disability affairs. She became a senior coordinator. She helped keep track of new laws and reached out to communities. She even made a video with Governor John Bel Edwards. In the video, they encouraged businesses to hire more people with disabilities. April was also part of a special group called the State as a Model Employer Taskforce. This group worked to help the state government hire more people with disabilities.
Her Passing
April Dunn was working on March 10, 2020. She attended meetings across Louisiana. After these meetings, she and her co-workers all tested positive for COVID-19. She was soon taken to the hospital because of problems from the virus. Her mother was not allowed to visit her. On March 28, 2020, April Dunn passed away at a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
