April 24, 2009
The Hawaii Disability Rights Center announces the appointment of John P. Dellera as its new Executive Director, effective April 1 ,2009. Mr. Dellera replaces Gary Smith, who retired in October 2008 after serving as executive director for seventeen years.
HDRC was designated in 1977 by the Governor of Hawaii as the state's protection and advocacy agency. All 50 states have established P&A agencies to protect and advocate for the rights of the developmentally disabled and the mentally ill as a condition to receiving federal funds for state programs.
The Center investigates cases of abuse and neglect of the mentally ill or disabled in response to complaints from members of the public or when there is probable cause. It also provides legal representation in special education disputes and other litigation and helps disabled individuals obtain employment assistance and other benefits under federal and state laws.
John Dellera served as a Deputy Attorney General of Hawaii from 1996 until March 31, 2009. He graduated from Fordham Law School in 1969, was in the private practice of law in New York City from 1969 to 1985, served as New York Regional Counsel of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1985 to 1994, and moved to Hawaii in 1996 after serving briefly as an Assistant Attorney General of New York. For the past thirteen years, he has been a caregiver for a child with autism.
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen Kane, President, HDRC board of directors
Tel. (808) 981-5380, (808) 933-0702
Hawaii Disability Rights Center - Text-Only