Mary E. Switzer

Mary E. Switzer was an influential American public servant and advocate for people with disabilities. Serving as the head of the National Institute of Handicapped Research in the 1960s, she played a crucial role in promoting research and policy changes that improved the lives of individuals with disabilities. Switzer was instrumental in the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which aimed to enhance accessibility and employment opportunities. Her legacy includes advancing the rights and recognition of people with disabilities, shaping modern disability services and protections in the United States.