Timothy Nugent, known as the "Father of Accessibility," founded the first comprehensive program of higher education for individuals with disabilities in 1948.
14 Facts About Timothy Nugent
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Timothy Nugent served as professor of rehabilitation education and director of the Rehabilitation Education Center and the Division of Rehabilitation Education Services at the University of Illinois.
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Timothy Nugent founded the National Wheelchair Basketball Association in 1949 and served as commissioner for the first 25 years.
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Timothy Nugent founded Delta Sigma Omicron, a national rehabilitation service fraternity.
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Timothy Nugent was president of the National Paraplegia Foundation for four terms.
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Timothy Nugent has been an international lecturer and consultant, as well as an advocate, publisher, and researcher on behalf of people with disabilities.
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Timothy Nugent was a leader in the development of architectural accessibility standards, public transportation, adaptive equipment, and recreation activities for people with disabilities.
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Timothy Nugent has been and continues to be active in many professional organizations, including the American National Standards Institute, the Illinois State Legislative Commission on the Hospitalization of Spinal Cord Injured, the Committee on Technical Aids, Housing and Transportation of Rehabilitation International, and the Institute for the Advancement of Prosthetics.
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Timothy Nugent holds degrees from Tarleton State University, Texas; University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse, Wisconsin; and the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Wisconsin.
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Timothy Nugent has honorary degrees from Springfield College in Massachusetts, Mount Mary College in Wisconsin, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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Timothy Nugent's work was committed to making the educational benefits of the GI Bill available to all veterans.
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Timothy Nugent created a comprehensive program of adapted sports for students with disabilities, leading to the founding of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association.
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Timothy Nugent served as commissioner of the association for 25 years.
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Timothy Nugent founded Delta Sigma Omicron, the first rehabilitation service fraternity.