The Alliance for Expanding America’s Workforce expresses its deepest condolences for the death of Andrés Gallegos, Chairman of the National Council on Disability, who passed away earlier this month.
Following a lifetime of service protecting the rights of people with disabilities across the country, Andrés was appointed to the Council on Feb 7, 2018, and, in one of President Joe Biden’s first acts in office as the 46th President of the United States, he was elevated to Chairman in January of 2021. As a skilled attorney, he founded and directed Robbins, Salomon & Patt, Ltd.’s disability rights practice. A quadriplegic who faced many barriers first-hand, Andrés worked tirelessly to expand protections and battle the systemic discrimination that people with disabilities face every day. Andrés brought a lifetime of experience on the frontlines of the disability rights movement to the National Council on Disability, and his legacy will go on through those who continue his mission of expanding national protections.
“On behalf of the Alliance, I’d like to express my deepest condolences to the Gallegos family in this difficult time. Andrés was a respected and beloved leader of the modern disability rights movement, undaunted in his dedication to advocacy, from local organizations all the way to the federal government. He will live on as an inspiration to many to advocate for what is just, and the world is forever a better place because of Andrés and his work.” – Dwight Davis, President of AEAW