The Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL) Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Jose de Jesus “J.J.” V. Rico as its new executive director.

J.J. has worked at ACDL since 2001, initially as a Staff Attorney and subsequently as Litigation Director. Since June 2014 he served as the Center’s Interim Executive Director.

J.J. has dedicated his legal career to advancing the rights of people with disabilities through litigating for systemic changes and collaborating to train and educate others about disability-related laws and policies and fulfill ACDL’s mission.

As the lead ACDL attorney in the Goddard v. Harkins lawsuit, J.J. was instrumental in ensuring that appropriate accommodations are available for individuals with sensory disabilities to attend and enjoy movies at Harkins Theatres.

Among his other accomplishments, J.J.:

• served as the Chair of the University of Arizona’s Hispanic Advisory Council
• worked as a Fellow for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund in San Francisco, CA
• served as an intern for Senator Edward M. Kennedy in Washington D.C.

Please welcome J.J. Rico as he works with ACDL staff to advance the disability rights movement in Arizona.

– Tony DiRienzi, Board Chair