Paul Steven MillerIn Memoriam: 1961 - 2010 JD, Harvard Law School Henry M. Jackson Professor of Law William H. Gates HallAs Director of the Disability Studies Program at the University of Washington, Professor Miller played an integral role in the development of our courses, programming, and campus and community outreach. Our program has a more solid foundation because of his involvement. His efforts built awareness about the social, cultural, and political contexts through which disability is articulated. His knowledge, creativity, and belief in the multidisciplinary relevance of the field, brought about important partnerships and conversations. His tireless efforts to reach across academic departments, as well as to the broader public, exemplifies the core of disability studies, and academic inquiry more generally.  Professor Miller's accomplishments are extensive. For nearly ten years, he served as Commissioner for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under President Bill Clinton's Administration. In 2009, he was appointed as a special assistant to President Barack Obama, helping with political appointments and with positions related to disability programs. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the City University of New York School of Law. In 2007, Professor Miller facilitated and organized an international symposium on bioethics,"The Ethical and Policy Implications of Attenuating Growth in Children with Profound Developmental Disabilities," held in the University of Washington School of Law. In April 2008, he was responsible for a conference on international rights for persons with disabilities. Both conferences brought together scholars, advocates, and students from a number of areas including law, policy, human rights, medicine, history, to name only some. Both events helped build much needed awareness on campus and throughout the community on important issues. All of Professor Miller's programming engendered critical discussion that continues to give breadth and depth to the study of disability. Additionally, he gave our program direction that continues to give us momentum. Perhaps most valuable, was his understanding that the study of disability extends beyond just impairment and those working specifically in the field. Professor Miller's passing is a loss to our program, the University of Washington, and disability studies. His guidance, knowledge, and friendship will be missed. His influence persists. FURTHER INFORMATION New York Times (LINK) Seattle Times (LINK) Seattle-PI (LINK) NPR (LINK) Disability Rights International (LINK) Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities, Recognition of the Legacy of Paul Steven Miller (LINK) UW News (LINK)

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