Dr. Lakshmi Balasubramanian Joins Relay Resources Board of Directors to Focus on Disability Inclusion

Dr. Lakshmi Balasubramanian (Photo Credit: Relay Resources)

PORTLAND, Ore., October 31, 2023 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - Dr. Lakshmi Balasubramanian, an expert in the field of special education at Stanford University, has been appointed to the Board of Directors at disability-centered non-profit, Relay Resources. Balasubramanian, who is partially blind, will contribute her knowledge in universal design learning (UDL) and personal experience with disability to Relay Resources' organizational mission and expansion goals.

Dr. Balasubramanian earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from a joint program with the University of California, Berkeley, and San Francisco State University in May 2021. Her research has primarily focused on examining the facilitators and barriers to inclusive education for students with diverse disabilities. She explores systemic factors that impact meaningful participation and the provision of support within educational settings.

Dr. Jennifer Camota Luebke, President and CEO of Relay Resources, stated, "I am so grateful that Lakshmi has joined our Board. Her depth of experience in evidence-based universal design practices will help us renovate our systems and practices to broaden our support for people with disabilities. Her insights will help us enhance the quality of support we provide all our employees with and without disabilities."

Balasubramanian has received Stanford University's highest teaching award, the 2023 Walter J. Gores Award, for her contributions in the field of inclusive education. She also has 14 years of prior experience as a public school special education teacher and inclusion specialist. She is a member of the core team at Stanford conceptualizing postsecondary education programs and designing career pathways for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In commenting on her new role, Balasubramanian said, "The entire team at Relay has already demonstrated how this organization has been able to achieve so much in the last 70 years. Their mission to help people with disabilities find meaningful work is the continuation of the educational work I’ve done throughout my career. It will be exciting to marry education and work to create truly inclusive lives that help both the disability community and Relay’s customers."

Relay Resources provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through a range of services including janitorial, landscaping, document management, and supply chain solutions. For further information, visit www.relayresources.org.

Source: Relay Resources via Newswire