June 1, 2019
It is with mixed emotions that the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund announces the retirement of Larisa Cummings, senior staff attorney, who began her legal career at DREDF in 1987, working with us for a brief period, and then returning for another 19 years in 2000.
During the years between, Larisa worked as Clients’ Rights Advocate for persons with developmental disabilities at the Regional Center of the East Bay. But, the fates had different ideas for Larisa’s destiny. Larisa returned to DREDF in 2000, to use the experience she gained representing individuals with disabilities and their families in special education and public benefits administrative appeals to focus on impact litigation to ensure and further the civil rights of persons with disabilities. And our work has been better for it.
Larisa will be greatly missed. Her legendary attention to critical detail, while always keeping the broader picture in mind, has been invaluable to our social justice crusade. Her willingness to put in extra time and effort when necessary to help meet tight deadlines has demonstrated a commitment to excellence that we have come to depend on – and learn from. DREDF owes Larisa a collective debt of gratitude for her commitment to the civil rights of disabled children and adults and her focus on eliminating injustice.
Join DREDF in wishing Larisa well as she embarks on an exiting a new chapter in an already interesting life. We hope DREDF’s supporters, friends, and members will join us in expressing our appreciation for two decades of unparalleled service to disability rights, and to DREDF, to Larisa Cummings.