Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

Photo credit: P.Sue Cullen Atypical Photos

Susan Fitzmaurice has a lifelong commitment to disability concerns. The focus of her disability activism has changed as the role of people with disabilities has changed in society and as a result of adopting her son, Teddy, who has Down syndrome.

Her earliest activism was as a teenage volunteer at Plymouth State Home & Training School. What she witnessed there encouraged her to become a pioneer in the special education movement. In less than a decade that focus changed to being a proponent of inclusive education, community living, and self-determination.

Susan has been a board member of numerous disability organizations, including the Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy and United Cerebral Palsy- Detroit. ~ She is also an active member of Not Dead Yet.

Susan is published in the journals "Disability Studies Quarterly", "Sexuality Research and Social Policy" and "Sexuality & Disability" and the British news magazine "Disability Now" and "Mother Warriors Voice". She is currently writing for the History of Disability Encyclopedia. She has made dozens of presentations to regional, state, and international conferences around issues of disability.

Susan has a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Thomas Jefferson College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Grand Valley State University, and a Master of Science degree in rehabilitation counseling from Syracuse University. She has also done extensive coursework in special education at Bank St. College and in Disability Studies through the Center on Human Policy.

Susan serves as a liaison between the city and the Dearborn Commission on Disability concerns, in addition to being the ADA Coordinator for the city of Dearborn.

Contact Susan via