Lex Frieden
Encyclopedia
Lex Frieden is one of America's pre-eminent disability
activists and leaders of the independent living
movement. He is Professor of Health Informatics and of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He is also Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine
. From 2002 to 2006, he served as Chairman of the National Council on Disability
(NCD), a presidentially appointed body. He was the 1998 winner of the prestigious Henry B. Betts Award for outstanding achievement in disability rights. In 1983, he was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans
.
As Senior Vice President of TIRR|MemorialHermann Hospital (formerly Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research) in Houston, Frieden directs the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) program at TIRR.
Frieden was one of the major figures behind the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. In his capacity of Executive Director of NCD in the mid-1980s, reporting to presidentially appointed Council members notably including Vice Chairman Justin Dart
, Frieden oversaw the work of Robert Burgdorf in writing the first drafts of what was to become the ADA. The Council issued a major report, Toward Independence, to further the effort along. The ADA became law on July 26, 1990.
Frieden's service in the 1970s included membership on a task force empaneled by Olin E. ("Tiger") Teague
(1910–1981), U.S. Congressman from Texas, to study what was and was not being done in disability-related research across the entire swath of the U.S. Government. That panel's work led, in 1978, to creation of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(NIDRR), a unit of the US Department of Education.
Lex Frieden was born in Alva, Oklahoma
, a town in northwestern Oklahoma. In 1967, he began studying elecrical engineering at Oklahoma State University. It was as a freshman that he sustained a spinal cord injury
in an automobile accident. As part of his rehabilitation from that injury, he went to TIRR in Houston, where he met Dr. William A. Spencer, the great rehabilitation medicine visionary. Dr. Spencer became Lex's mentor. Among many other things, Spencer brought Lex onto the Teague-appointed research panel that Spencer chaired.
Frieden is a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Tulsa
and also a graduate of the University of Houston
. In 2004, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in law (LL.D.) by the National University of Ireland
.
Currently, Frieden is Chairman of the Board of United Spinal Association
.
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
activists and leaders of the independent living
Independent living
Independent living, as seen by its advocates, is a philosophy, a way of looking at disability and society, and a worldwide movement of people with disabilities working for self-determination, self-respect and equal opportunities...
movement. He is Professor of Health Informatics and of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He is also Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine, located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, USA, is a highly regarded medical school and leading center for biomedical research and clinical care...
. From 2002 to 2006, he served as Chairman of the National Council on Disability
National Council on Disability
The National Council on Disability was initially established in 1978 as an advisory board within the United States Department of Education to guarantee equal opportunity for people with disabilities. NCD is composed of 15 members, appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by...
(NCD), a presidentially appointed body. He was the 1998 winner of the prestigious Henry B. Betts Award for outstanding achievement in disability rights. In 1983, he was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans
Ten Outstanding Young Americans
The Ten Outstanding Young Americans program is an annual award given by The United States Junior Chamber organization. It is given to ten Americans between 18 and 40 years of age who "exemplify the best attributes of the nation’s young people."People considered for the award are often submitted...
.
As Senior Vice President of TIRR|MemorialHermann Hospital (formerly Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research) in Houston, Frieden directs the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) program at TIRR.
Frieden was one of the major figures behind the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. In his capacity of Executive Director of NCD in the mid-1980s, reporting to presidentially appointed Council members notably including Vice Chairman Justin Dart
Justin Whitlock Dart, Jr.
Justin Whitlock Dart, Jr. was an American activist and advocate for people with disabilities. He helped to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities .-Background:Dart came from a wealthy Chicago family...
, Frieden oversaw the work of Robert Burgdorf in writing the first drafts of what was to become the ADA. The Council issued a major report, Toward Independence, to further the effort along. The ADA became law on July 26, 1990.
Frieden's service in the 1970s included membership on a task force empaneled by Olin E. ("Tiger") Teague
Olin E. Teague
Olin Earl "Tiger" Teague was a notable World War II veteran and Congressional representative for Texas's 6th congressional district for 32 years, from 1946 to 1978...
(1910–1981), U.S. Congressman from Texas, to study what was and was not being done in disability-related research across the entire swath of the U.S. Government. That panel's work led, in 1978, to creation of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research is a United States governmental institution that provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities...
(NIDRR), a unit of the US Department of Education.
Lex Frieden was born in Alva, Oklahoma
Alva, Oklahoma
Alva is a city in Woods County, Oklahoma, along the Salt Fork Arkansas River. The population was 4,945 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Woods County....
, a town in northwestern Oklahoma. In 1967, he began studying elecrical engineering at Oklahoma State University. It was as a freshman that he sustained a spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury refers to any injury to the spinal cord that is caused by trauma instead of disease. Depending on where the spinal cord and nerve roots are damaged, the symptoms can vary widely, from pain to paralysis to incontinence...
in an automobile accident. As part of his rehabilitation from that injury, he went to TIRR in Houston, where he met Dr. William A. Spencer, the great rehabilitation medicine visionary. Dr. Spencer became Lex's mentor. Among many other things, Spencer brought Lex onto the Teague-appointed research panel that Spencer chaired.
Frieden is a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa is a private university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is currently ranked 75th among doctoral degree granting universities in the nation by US News and World Report and is listed as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" by...
and also a graduate of the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
. In 2004, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in law (LL.D.) by the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
.
Currently, Frieden is Chairman of the Board of United Spinal Association
United Spinal Association
United Spinal Association is a nonprofit membership, disability rights and veterans service organization that was formed in 1946 as Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association. The mission of United Spinal Association is to improve the quality of life of Americans with spinal cord injuries or disorders...
.