Presidential appointment for Rhode Island accessibility advocate, Tina G. Pedersen

Rhode Islander, Tina Guenette Pedersen, was appointed by President Joseph Biden this week to serve, along with others on the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Access Board.

Tina Guenette Pedersen is CEO, President, and Founder of RAMP (Real Access Motivates Progress), a non-profit that educates and advocates for accessibility and inclusion. Eight years ago, Pederson, after having minor surgery which led to an injury of her spinal cord, became paralyzed her from the waist down. Having survived both cancer and strokes, she devotes her life to helping others by raising awareness of accessibility for all. From talking with school-age children to engaging with the disability community, she works with and for the community on bullying prevention and speaks on the benefits of maintaining a positive attitude throughout life.

Pedersen works with businesses, multiple professions, and first responders on areas of communication and best practices to include the disability community in their work. She is Vice Chair of the Rhode Island Governor’s Commission on Disability and Chair of the Awareness Committee.

The White House statement said, “She loves the opportunity to share her story, meet new people, and advocate for all. Pedersen believes that community service isn’t something she does, but that it is part of her DNA.”

Other members of the Board are:

• Peter S. Cooke, Member, Adams Memorial Commission
• Richard A. Houghton, Member, Adams Memorial Commission
• Stephanie L. Enyart, Member, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Access Board
• Carmen Daniel Jones, Member, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Access Board
• Tina Guenette Pedersen, Member, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Access Board
• Risa Lauren Goluboff, Member, Permanent Committee for the Oliver Wendell Holmes Devise
• Martha S. Jones, Member, Permanent Committee for the Oliver Wendell Holmes Devise
• Trevor Morrison, Member, Permanent Committee for the Oliver Wendell Holmes Devise
• Elizabeth Rodke Washburn, Member, President’s Commission on White House Fellowships
• Hamilton E. “Tony” James, Member, President’s Intelligence Advisory Board
• Julia Santucci, Member, President’s Intelligence Advisory Board

Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Access Board

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Access Board is an independent federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards. The Board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, medical diagnostic equipment, and information technology. It also provides technical assistance and training on these requirements and accessible design and continues to enforce accessibility standards that cover federally funded facilities.

Comedy for a Cause

Tina is very active in Rhode Island. She recently has had to raise funds to replace her adapted van which allows her to get around independently to do the work she does. She hopes to have enough raised, soon, to “allow this disability advocate get back to work. This is the only means of transportation for freedom to do so”. Tina’s slogan is: “Don’t just SIT there…. make a DIFFERENCE” 

Comedy for a Cause is being held on March 24th – at the Park in Cranston. Here is information on attending:

To contact Tina:

Tina G Pedersen – RAMP real access motivates Progress – President / CEO / Founder – Vice Chair -Governor’s Commission on Disability  – USA SLICC Ambassador 2022

• Cell-401-524-6256
• [email protected]
• Website: www.RAMPisinclusion.com 
• Facebook / YouTube – RAMP real access motivates progress
• Twitter – @RAMPisinclusion
• Instagram – RAMP is inclusion