President Obama Appoints National Council on Disability Co-Vice Chair Lynnae Ruttledge to Serve on Long-Term Care Commission

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Council on Disability (NCD) applauds President Barack Obama's appointment of Lynnae Ruttledge to serve on the Commission on Long-Term Care. Ruttledge was appointed to NCD in January 2013 and serves as the Co-Vice Chair of NCD, an independent federal agency that makes disability policy recommendations to the President, Congress and other federal agencies.

"With Lynnae's appointment, the President adds another terrific representative from the disability community to the Commission on Long-Term Care," said Jeff Rosen, NCD Chairperson. "In addition to her distinguished career advancing disability in public policy at local, state, federal and international levels, Lynnae's lifetime of lived experience with disability brings a first-person perspective that is vital in making good policy. Her dedication to economic self-sufficiency, independent living and unparalleled passion for international disability rights will be an asset to the Commission, as it has been to us during her time here at NCD. We look forward to Lynnae continuing her valuable work as both a member of the Commission and NCD."

The Long-Term Care Commission was established under Section 643 of American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 and signed into law on January 2, 2013. It is responsible for developing a comprehensive and coordinated plan to ensure long-term supports and services for people with disabilities by addressing the interaction of a long-term services and support system with existing programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private long-term care insurance.

Background: Prior to her appointment to NCD and now to the Commission on Long-Term Care, Ruttledge served as Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration with the United States Department of Education from 2010 to 2012. From 2005 to 2009, she served as Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation with the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.  Previously, Ruttledge held various positions at the Oregon Department of Human Services from 1986 to 2005, starting in the mental health division to her eventual ascension to the executive leadership team with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. In 2007, she received the Washington Governor's Award for Leadership in Management. Ruttledge earned a B.S. from Northern Michigan University and began her career as a public school teacher in Michigan. 

About the National Council on Disability (NCD): Founded in 1978 as an advisory board within the United States Department of Education, amendments to the Rehabilitation Act made NCD an independent federal agency in 1984. Made up of 15 Presidentially-appointed Council members who live across the nation, and 11 professional staff based in Washington, DC who promote policies, programs, practices and procedures to provide Americans with disabilities with equal access to civic, social and economic participation as their non-disabled friends, family members and peers.

SOURCE National Council on Disability