Biographies
District 1
Seat 1: Vacant
Seat 2: Vacant
District 2
Seat 3: Brennan Pearson
Disability: No
Areas of Interest: Vulnerable populations (elderly, developmental disabilities, and children), healthcare, commercial real estate, technology, AI, small businesses.
Desire for committee: To be the “tip of the spear” regarding advocacy for persons with disabilities in San Diego County. I hope to help the Committee streamline its work so we can focus on solving the most pressing issues impacting the most people, make efficient/thoughtful decisions, and drive meaningful outcomes for residents with disabilities across San Diego County.
Seat 4: Dr. Karolyn Smith
Disability: Yes
Areas of Interest: Disabled Veterans, Biotech advocacy for disabled Veterans, COPD and Burn Pit Advocate
Desire for committee: Advise the San Diego County Board of Supervisors with unbiased advice to better care for our disabled Veterans in a way that synergizes the San Diego’s biotech space and becomes a model for other cities to follow in the advanced care of the disabled.
District 3
Seat 5: Laura Handzel
Disability: Yes
Areas of Interest: Employment, Healthcare (mental health in particular), Public Access, Housing, and Service Dogs.
Desire for committee: I hope to see the profile of the Committee raised to attract more interest and involvement from local policy makers as well as the general public. I would like to see more collaboration between the Committee, various County departments, and a wide variety of other stakeholders representing San Diego communities.
Seat 6: Janette White Shelton
Disability: No
Areas of Interest: Employment related accommodations, access issues. My work involved Title 1 of the ADA as well as the employment and access issues related to the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. I am interested that steps are taken to insure that barriers to employment for all types of disabilities.
Desire for committee: I am still getting to know the ins and outs of the committee and it seems harder to do so on Zoom. I would like to see efforts continue to make the committee a valued and known resource for the county and to support those efforts in whichever ways I can be most helpful.
District 4
Seat 7: Michelle Krug
Disability: Yes
Areas of Interest: Creating equitable and equal access to persons with disabilities in all aspects of life here in San Diego county, including but not limited to access to government agencies, services, and elected officials, including public meetings, transportation, housing for all income levels, sensitive and respectful options for our unhoused neighbors including wrap around services, education and training, jobs/employment and worker protections, environmental justice, access to healthy foods, access to affordable healthcare.
Desire for committee: I want to see the committee become a well-used resource for all county workers, departments, and elected officials. I would also like to see our committee become a conduit for all seniors and disabled residents in our county to ensure there is a place to go to bring accessibility issues to see if we may be able to facilitate a connection for resolution.
Seat 8: Paul Houston
District 5
Seat 9: Jessica Kramer
Disability: Yes
Areas of Interest: Disability Awareness, Safety, and Inclusivity In the 911 System. Barrier Free Access to Basic Needs for our Vulnerable Adults with Disabilities, and our Seniors, including housing stability with adequate support services.
Desire for committee: To transform San Diego County into a place where persons with disabilities can have ease, access, safety, civil liberties, happiness and the right to independence.
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