Deborah L. McFadden

CAREER HISTORY

And internationally known leader in the disability arena, Deborah L. McFadden has served as the United States Commissioner for Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Health and Human Services and held senior level executive positions in corporate, and non-profit settings. Her focus on policy and legislation, coalition building, strategic partnerships, and advocating for full access and equal pay has positively impacted generations of people with disabilities and their families. Her work in international aid and international adoption has changed the life-trajectory of thousands of children throughout the world.

As a person with a disability, Ms. McFadden has devoted her professional career to improving the lives of people with physical and cognitive challenges. Whether in Government service, working internationally, or in corporate or nonprofit work, the focus has been clearing the path for full accessibility, providing access to the rights and privileges that should be afforded to all people, and increasing acceptance and understanding of disabilities in the broader community. Her passion is reflected in her personal life as she adopted and advocated for three lovely children, two with disabilities. Two of her children are USA Paralympians, one of her children has become the most honored and recognized wheelchair athlete in the world.

Professional

Most recently, Ms. McFadden served as President and Founder of Competitive Edge Management Associates (CEMA) an organization dedicated to increasing the “competitive edge” of people with disabilities in public recognition, access to higher education, equitable pay, sponsorships, and full inclusion. Working with Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, colleges and universities, nonprofits, and various disabilities rights organizations, significant and measurable progress has been made.

She successfully lobbied the United States Olympic/Paralympic Committee (USOPC) for equal pay for Paralympic Athletes, increased pay for Abbott World Marathon wheelchair competitors, and broke the “glass ceiling” in securing corporate sponsorships for athletes with disabilities. She conceptualized, promoted, and developed the National Training Center at the University of Illinois dedicated to Wheelchair athletics. The Center is currently operating in temporary space as architectural drawings for a $240 million-dollar, 405,000 sq. ft. facility are finalized.

She secured $44 million in aid for entering college freshman with disabilities and served as a recognized spokesperson on SSI/SSDI/VR programs, helping individuals and families understand and access critical benefits to help with basic needs. As Disabilities Consultant for Rising Phoenix, a Netflix original film, she helped tell the story of the Paralympic Movement. Translated into multiple languages and a fully accessible format, the movie has been viewed by audiences large and small in 190 countries throughout the world.

Focusing on equal access, she provided advice and counsel and served as media liaison and spokesperson for her daughter, Tatyana, in a landmark lawsuit against Howard County Public Schools as her daughter fought for the right to be treated as an equal member of her High School Track Team. This led to passage of the Fitness and Equity Act in Maryland. It became a federal mandate during the Obama Administration, forever changing the face of middle and high school sports.

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She was on the front line during the formative stages of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and saw the bill signed into law from her position as Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. At that time, she was the highest-ranking female Presidential Appointee with a disability in government service.

As Commissioner, Ms. McFadden oversaw a national network of more than 160 organizations comprising Developmental Disability Councils, attached to the Governor’s office in each state; The Protection and Advocacy System, a legal system for the rights of people with disabilities; The Association of University Centers on Disabilities and Projects of National Significance. She was responsible for an annual discretionary budget of over $100 million.

She created The National Agenda, a comprehensive document outlining the strategies, education, legal, medical and social services necessary to achieve full integration into society for people with disabilities. The Agenda resulted in unprecedented outreach activities in home ownership, biomedical ethics, personal assistance services, early intervention, empowerment, leadership development, and pediatric HIV/AIDS.

International work included on-the-ground consultation in Russia, Saudi Arabia, Romania, and at The Vatican. She advised on health care policy and humanitarian services and consulted directly with King Faud, US Cardinals, and the Pope. All work was developed through partnerships with the U.S. Departments of State, the Defense Department and private and non-profit organizations.

Other key career positions include Founder and President, International Children’s Alliance, a humanitarian organization that raised funds to support orphaned and abandoned children and children with disabilities including placement of more than 2,000 children with families throughout the United States. Director of Career Services for Disabled Students, University of Maryland, a program to improve job placement record for people with disabilities by providing training, coaching, and follow-up. National Project Director, Mainstream, Inc., a national job development and placement program for individuals with disabilities.

Personal

Ms. McFadden holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Maryland with additional studies at the London School of Economics, Gallaudet University Graduate School, and Bucknell University. She is fluent in sign language.

She has served on numerous advisory boards including, the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, the Joint Council on International Children’s Services, the World Committee on Disabilities, Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation and others. She is one of the founding members of Athletics for All. She has spoken before audiences as large as 10,000 people and has given countless interviews with print, electronic, and television media.

She is the mother of three adopted children. Tatyana, from Russia, holds a master’s degree in human development from University of Illinois and is the most recognized and honored athlete with a disability in the world. Hannah, from Albania, holds a master’s degree in Education from the University of Illinois and is a member of the US Paralympic Track Team. Ruthi, also from Albania, is a college student working toward a nursing degree and is currently working on the front line of the COVID Pandemic in a local hospital emergency room