Deborah E. Dietz

Executive Director

Debbie is a passionate disability rights activist who has spent over 20 years advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 26, Debbie believes that people with disabilities deserve the same basic human rights and opportunities for community living as those without disabilities. She works cross-disability to promote inclusion, partnering with organizations to make civic engagement and voting accessible to all. Debbie pioneered the Wallet Card Project to improve police interactions with disabled individuals, the MIA Liaison Project to include people with disabilities into the domestic violence/sexual assault decision-making tables in Miami-Dade County and started the Supper Social Club- a monthly neurodiverse dinner for young adults. Her skills include grant writing, training, leadership, and strategic planning. Well-recognized for her advocacy, Debbie has earned awards like the 2015 Bronze Telly Award, the 2019 League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade Women Who Shine Award, and the 2023 Legacy Partners Award from the Miami Parks Department. She was also appointed by Governor Scott to sit on the Florida Independent Living Council from 2017-21. Debbie continues to tirelessly advance rights and inclusion for the disability community.