Deidre Davis Butler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deidre Davis Butler
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Deidre Ann Davis, from a 1997 publication of the United States Department of State.
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Deidre Ann Davis
September 26, 1955 Elizabeth, New Jersey
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| Died | August 7, 2020 (aged 64) Rogers, Arkansas
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| Occupation | Lawyer, disability rights activist, federal official |
Deidre Davis Butler (born September 26, 1955 – died August 7, 2020) was an important American lawyer and activist. She worked hard to make sure people with disabilities had equal rights and opportunities. She also served as a federal official in the United States government.
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Deidre's Early Life
Deidre Davis was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She grew up in a nearby town called Linden. Her mother was a teacher, and her father was a lawyer.
When Deidre was a child, she had a spinal tumor. Surgeries to treat it affected her ability to walk. She used leg braces and canes when she was younger. Later in life, she used a wheelchair.
Deidre went to Brandeis University for her first degree. Then, she studied law at Howard University School of Law. She earned her law degree in 1980. She was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Deidre's Important Career Work
Fighting for Disability Rights
As a young lawyer, Deidre worked in programs that helped people with disabilities. She started at Rehabilitation International in New York in 1980. In 1987, she joined the United States Department of Education.
Deidre played a key role in writing important laws. These laws helped make things more accessible for people with disabilities. Two major laws she helped with were the Air Carrier Access Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The ADA is a very important law that protects the rights of people with disabilities.
Deidre once said that she was one of the few people of color involved in creating and enforcing the ADA. She shared this in an interview with NPR in 2010.
Working in Government and Business
From 1995 to 2001, Deidre worked at the White House. This was in the Office of Presidential Personnel. She also led the ADA Technical Assistance Division at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This group helps make sure people with disabilities are treated fairly at work.
Deidre traveled a lot for her job. She checked that American embassies in other countries followed civil rights rules. In 2005, she became the director of ADA services for Walmart. She retired from Walmart in 2012.
Continuing Her Activism
After retiring, Deidre started her own company called DYSability Dynamics, LLC. This company gave advice on disability law.
She also served on the boards of several important groups. These included the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and the National Black Disability Coalition. These groups work to support people with disabilities.
In 2020, Deidre received the Max Starkloff Lifetime Achievement Award from NCIL. This was a big honor for her lifelong work. She passed away shortly after receiving this award. The day before she died, she was scheduled to speak at an online event. This event celebrated the 30th anniversary of the ADA.
Deidre's Personal Life
Deidre Davis married Juan K. Butler in 2015. She passed away on August 7, 2020, in Rogers, Arkansas. She is buried in the Fayetteville National Cemetery.
