February 8, 2018
Source: Syracuse University News
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Andrew Gordon has announced the appointment of William N. Myhill, M.Ed., J.D. as the University’s new interim Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator.
“We are fortunate to have someone like William Myhill at Syracuse University, standing ready to take on this new leadership role,” says Gordon. “He has extensive experience in the disability field, unique skills and exquisite sensitivity to the issues involved. His depth of understanding in the fields of assistive technology and accessible electronic and information technology will be a tremendous asset to us in this new role.”
Myhill is currently the director of legal research and writing at the Burton Blatt Institute. He has spent more than 25 years working in the fields of education and law, strengthening services for diverse individuals with disabilities and cultural/linguistic differences through extensive research, teaching and advocacy. He also has provided extensive training and technical assistance to University faculty on implementing Universal Design for Learning practices.
Myhill has served as principal investigator of the Oswego County Governance and Standard Operating Procedures for Emergency Response project, and was co-principal investigator for Project ENABLE, where he developed its curriculum and resources for creating inclusive library programs in collaboration with the Center for Digital Literacy (Syracuse University iSchool).
He has served on the board of directors for the Disability Rights Bar Association, an organization of dedicated disability civil rights attorneys and scholars. He is an adjunct professor in Syracuse University’s College of Law and a faculty associate with the Center for Digital Literacy. His research interests include legal and policy developments affecting children with disabilities and their transition to the post-secondary world; assistive technology and accessible electronic and information technology; inclusive library programs and services; inclusive higher education and employer practices, disability civil rights across the lifespan, reasonable accommodations and implementation of universal design principles.
Myhill takes the helm at a dynamic time as Syracuse University moves forward aggressively to enhance disability services and create greater accommodations for learning for every member of the campus regardless of their abilities. Just recently, Chancellor Kent Syverud called for a comprehensive evaluation of disability services and related policies to ensure a positive and welcoming campus for people with disabilities. Provost Michele Wheatly and Senior Vice President Dolan Evanovich will lead the inclusive process of evaluation of the University’s disability services and related policies, including process and policy on student housing, academic accommodations, medical leaves, service animals and other areas. Gordon said the University will launch a search for a permanent ADA coordinator following the disability services review this spring.
Myhill succeeds Aaron Hodukavich, who recently left the University to pursue another opportunity.
“We are grateful to Aaron for his leadership and insight during a period when the University is laser-focused on meeting and exceeding standards for addressing disability issues,” says Gordon.