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James R. Harding, II Ed.D
6027 Ox Bottom Manor Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32312
Phone: 850-907-0652
Fax: 850-907-9301
Email: jrfsu@comcast.net
I. Personal:
Born in Chicago, Illinois. Resident of Florida since 1990. Single, no children, two-time survivor of spinal cord injury (1983, 1998). Health: very good, although living with quadriplegia.
II. Education:
Ed. D., Higher Education
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 1999
Specialization: Leadership and Public Policy
Ed. S., Higher Education
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 1996
Specialization: Public Policy
M.E., Educational Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction
University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida 1993
Specialization: English
B.A., English
Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 1991
Specialization: American Literature
III. Work Experience:
August 2002 to Present: Partnership Specialist III (Office of the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation). In this position, I aggressively represent VR and DOE issues at US Access Board, Transportation Disadvantage Commission, and the Florida Building Commission. Additionally, I educate law makers and the community regarding VR services for persons with disabilities and make frequent presentations at state and national conferences.
September 1990 to Present: Disability Consultant. I must demonstrate and disseminate how individuals with disabilities are integrated into the mainstream of American life, including employment, education, business, politics, health care, and recreation.
January 2000 to August 2002: Program Specialist 3 (Government and Customer Relations). PS-3 for the Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS). In this position, I developed, implemented, and monitored: staff and customer mentoring programs, legislative affairs (bill analysis and education of legislators), daily disability news. I also frequently presented disability issues at conferences and related community outreaches.
July 1999 to December 1999: Interim Executive Director (for the newly formed Occupational Access and Opportunity Commission.) The responsibilities included facilitating Commissioner Appointments through the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representative Offices. I executed Florida Statutory Direction Development of initial goals and objectives expressed in 99-240 for the Florida Commission.
January 1996 to May 1996: Special Assistant to House Appropriations Chair, Florida House of Representatives. I tracked higher education bills and budget related issues as they impacted the State University System and the division of Community Colleges.
September 1995 to December 1995: Assistant Analyst for Governor’s Planning and Budgeting Department Education Unit of Governor’s Office. I synthesized and analyzed agency requests for higher education funding, evaluated and made recommendations regarding annual independent post secondary contracts, and participated and critiqued the findings of the time-to-degree legislative committee meetings.
September 1994 to September 1995: Substitute Teacher, Leon County, and Tallahassee, Florida. I carried out lesson plans and classroom management. These activities included testing, assessment and other related student evaluations.
September 1993 to August 1994: Substitute Teacher, Escambia County, and Pensacola, Florida. I carried out lesson plans and classroom management. These activities included testing, assessment and other related student evaluations.
September 1991 to September 1994: Prevention Specialist, Feet First, First Time, Pensacola, Florida. In this position, I developed and taught youth outreach education programs as it related to both substance abuse and disability prevention.
IV. Relevant Professional Experience:
2004-2006: Appointed as a Board of Advisor to the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The purpose of the EAC and its advisory groups is to assist state and local officials in meeting the requirements of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
April 2002-Present: Appointed by President George Bush to the United States Access Board. The purpose of this Board is to be the leading authority on all accessibility matters. The Board is statutorily charged with developing and maintaining accessibility requirements for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology; providing technical assistance and training on these guidelines and standards, and enforcing accessibility standards for federally funded facilities. I currently serve on three of their standing committees (planning and budgeting, technical, and research). These responsibilities will change with the upcoming elections. My term expires in 2005.
December 2001-Present: Appointed by Commissioner Charlie Crist (Department of Education) to fulfill the statutory requirement of having a VR representative to serve on the Transportation Disadvantage Commission. I currently serve as chairman of the Rate Review Committee which sets the compensation fees for the Community Transportation Coordinators throughout the state and as a voting member of the larger whole of the TD Commission.
December 2000-Present: Appointed by the Secretary of Community Affairs to fulfill the statutory requirement of having a VR representative to serve on the Waiver Council for the Florida Building Code. I serve as Vice-chair of the Waiver Counsel and voting member of the Accessibility Technically Advising Committee. The committee ensures that buildings comply with Florida Vertically Accessibility issues as well as related access issues to all structures. Additionally, the Chairman of the Building Code of the FBC appointed me to serve on the Accessibility Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for the FBC.
June 1999 to Present: Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the ADA Working Group. Currently serve as a member of the Executive Board. The Working Group teaches state, county, city governments and other interested parties how to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, the Working Group’s executive order was broadened in the spring of 2001 to include the new Disability Clearing House.
June 1998 to March 1999: Steering Committee Member, Tallahassee Visioning, and a strategic plan committee organized by Mayor Scott Maddox. Primarily responsible for community activities that captured group citizen’s perspectives regarding community growth and development. Synthesize, construct and present a citizen’s strategic plan to the city commissioners.
September 1996 to September 1998: Student Member of Florida Board of Regents, State University System, and Tallahassee, Florida. Served two consecutive terms as the student member to the Board and each time Governor appointed and Senate approved.
For the calendar year 96-97, I was responsible for active participation in the executive, access/equity/athletics, audit/accountability, finance/facilities, and student affairs committees.
For the calendar year 97-98, I was responsible for active participation in the executive, access/equity/athletics, audit/accountability, finance/facilities and performance budgeting, long range & strategic planning program committees. Student Affairs committee chairman, authored student affairs portion of State University System 1998-2003 strategic plan as well as mission differentiation.
In addition, participated in a nation-wide search for chancellor and new president who could execute the vision of the Board of Regents. Other major initiatives include participation in the development of Florida’s distance learning venture; tuition issues; activities and services fees for Student Affairs affecting freedom of choice in student-led government activities.
June 1997 to December 1997: Chairman, Citizens search committee for new police chief, Tallahassee, Florida. Responsible for determining whether nation wide search or in-house promotion would occur. As a result of the committee’s work Walter McNeil was selected.
July 1995 to September 1995: Advisor, Explorers Police Academy, Westover Air Force Base, and Massachusetts. Responsible for curriculum development and dissemination of materials for adolescents regarding disability-mainstreaming issues including education, business, recreation and government. Promoting inclusion for all.
January 1994 to January 1995: Member of Curriculum Advisory Committee, Wright State University Research and Training Center on Drugs and Disabilities. Responsible for curriculum development of a national model to better facilitate vocational rehabilitation counselors integration of disabled individuals into agency programming.
January 1992 to January 1993: Founder and President, Students with Special Needs, University of West Florida. Responsible for goals and objectives of the group. Reorganized Office of Disabled Services by streamlining delivery operations through critical assessment and identification of re-staffing needs. Raised funds and demonstrated need for student selected to participate in National Disability Awareness Conference, University of Minnesota, and Minneapolis. Represented disabled students on all key university committees.
V. Honors and Awards
2004 – Received the United We Ride award on behalf of Governor Bush and the State of Florida’s Transportation Disadvantaged
2004 – Certification of appreciation from the National Association of Alcohol, Drugs, and Disability for advocacy and commitment to alcohol and drug prevention, treatment, and recovery services for persons with disabilities
2003 – Certificate of appreciation from Governor Jeb Bush for leadership with the Disability Mentoring Day 2003
2002 – Appointed by President George W. Bush to the U.S. Access Board
2002 – FSU created annual “student, JR Harding award”
2002 – United Way Appreciation Award for Community Service (CHP)
2001 – Leadership Tallahassee Class XIX
2001 – American Cancer Society highest individual fund raiser for 2001 Relay for Life
2001 – Certificate of Recognition for Relay for Life contribution, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Tallahassee Florida
2000 – ADA Torch Spirit Appreciation Award
2000 – Advocacy Award, Brooks Health System in accordance with their Celebration of Independence
2000 – Selected to run the 23rd stage of the 10th anniversary ADA Torch Run in Florida
1999 – Distinguished Service Award, Florida Student Association
1999 – Distinguished Service Award, Republican Party, Florida
1998 – Service Award, Florida Board of Regents, State University System
1998 – Service Award, Florida Student Association, 1996-1998
1997 – Service Award, Florida Board of Regents, State University System
1997 – Service Award, Florida Atlantic University, Student Government
1997 – Graduate Student Citizenship Award, Florida State University
1997 – Dissertation Research Grant Award, Florida State University
1995 – Community Service Medal, State of Rhode Island, Town of Johnston
1993 – Outstanding University Service Award, University of West Florida
1981 – Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
VI. Courses Taught:
High School English (literature and writing), Government, History, and guest speaker in numerous college organizational, student affairs, and governance courses.
Dissertation:
Harding, J.R. (1999). Performance Differences Between Native and Transfer Students and an Examination of Potential Influencing Factors (Ed. D. Dissertation, The Florida State University, 1999). Dissertation Abstracts International, at printer.
VII. Published Works:
Winter/Spring 2004: Harding, J. Transportation is Freedom; Community Transportation. P 12.
Spring, 2003: Harding, J. Adaptive Technologies and Persons with Disabilities; FAAST ACCESS (Volume 1, Issue 2). P 25.
December, 2002: Harding, J. Accessibility: Tallahassee should lead by example (letter to editor) Tallahassee Democrat. 21 December
November, 2002: Harding, J. Left speechless at lack of Veterans’ Day coverage (letter to editor) Tallahassee Democrat. 13 November
May 2002: Harding, J. Flawed process led to self-serving decision (letter to the editor) Tallahassee Democrat. 29 May
March 2002: Harding J. Fans want fair shake at Final Four tickets iCan online (www.ican.com/news/fullpage.cfm) 28 March
February 2002: Harding, J. A City Commission Meeting that will live in infamy (letter to editor) Tallahassee Democrat. 6 FEB p 6A
August 2001: Harding, J. Applauding Commitment to the Disabled (letter to editor) Tallahassee Democrat. 5 AUG
November, 2000: Harding, J. Florida VR: An Alternative Perspective; AccessLife.com, November 10, 2000
March 1999: “Performance Measures for Native and Transfer Students at Florida State University,” dissertation, FSU, Tallahassee, Florida.
September/October 1998: Harding, J. Liberal Arts Technicalities, Trusteeship (The Association of Governing Boards for the Universities and Colleges), p.31.
June 1998: “Born to Ride,” The Pragmatist, Tallahassee, Florida.
1997-1998: Strategic Master Plan for 1998-2003. Authored the Student Affairs section of Florida State University System Strategic Master Plan, Tallahassee, Florida.
VIII. Mass Media Appearances:
January 2003: Guest on the Radioactive talk radio show 1470 AM, Tallahassee Florida.
Fall 2002: Featured in - Community, The Magazine of Wright state University, volume 8, No. 1; fall 2002, Dayton, Ohio.
November 2002: Guest on the Greg Smith’s “On A Roll” nationally Syndicated Radio/Internet Talk Show on Disability Issues and Life, Tallahassee, Florida.
October 2002: Featured in FSView & Florida Flambeau, “FSU Alumnus Seeks to Inspire”, Tallahassee, Florida. October 31, 2002.
October 2002: Appeared on Channel 6 CBS and Florida News Network for coordinating and implementing the National Disability Mentoring Day, October 16, Tallahassee, Florida.
January 2002: Guest on Greg Smith’s “On A Roll” Nationally Syndicated Internet Radio Talk Show on Disability Issues and Life, Tallahassee, Florida.
January 2002: Personal profile and feature story appearance on www.ican.com, a disability and news web site.
November, 2000: Co-hosted with Greg Smith “On A Roll” Nationally Syndicated Internet Radio Talk Show on Disability Issues, Dayton, Ohio
October 2000: Co-hosted with Host Greg Smith “On A Roll” Nationally Syndicated Internet Radio Talk Show, Tampa, Florida.
September 1999: Florida Face to Face, The Florida Channel, “Disability Issues In Florida,” Tallahassee, Florida.
September 1996: Guest host FSU Radioactive 88.9 WFSU-FM, Tallahassee, Florida.
IX. Conferences, Presentations, and Papers Presented:
February 2004: Recruited and facilitated a Corporate Work Panel at the Emerging Workforce Conference in Ft. Lauderdale February 9-10, 2004.
November 2003: Invited to present on behalf of the U.S. Access Board at the ADA Working Group Conference, November 2-4, 2003
September 2003: Invited to present at the 3rd Annual World Congress on Disabilities Symposium. The two presentations were Interview Strategies for the 21st Century and Untangling the TD System. Orlando, FL, September 17-19, 2003.
June 2003: Presented before the Digital Divide Council on the topic of 504
May 2003: Invited to present at the 5th Annual Family Café/ Family Collaboration Advocacy Friendship Empowerment Conference. Presentation focused on creative job skills/interview strategies for the 21st Century. Orlando, Florida, May 29- June 1.
December 2002: Invited by the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education, US Department of Education to participate in the RSA Summit regarding the reauthorization Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Washington, D.C., December 11-12, 2002.
October 2002: Invited to present at the 3rd Annual World Congress on Disabilities Symposium. The three presentations were Development and Execution of an IPE in Vocational Rehabilitation, Creative Strategies for Securing Gainful Employment, and Untangling Transportation Traps. Orlando, FL, October 3-5, 2002.
August 2002: Invited to present at the 4th Annual Florida APSE Conference. The Florida Association for Persons in Supported Employment is a membership organization formed to improve and expand integrated employment opportunities, services, and outcomes for persons with severe disabilities. Presentation titled “It’s your Future-Take Charge Now” addressed the rights and responsibilities of first-time job seekers.
Safety Harbor (Tampa), FL, August 28-30, 2002.
May 2002: Invited to present at The 4th Annual Family Collaboration Advocacy Friendship Empowerment Conference. Presentation focused on teaching consumers how to best develop and execute an Individual Plan for Employment in collaboration with a VRS/Private counselor of choice. Orlando, Florida, May 16-19.
1989-Present: Annual presenter at National and International Conferences on Disabilities and Addiction, Chicago, Illinois; Johnson, Rhode Island; Newark New Jersey; Washington, District of Columbia; New York University, New York; Pensacola, Florida; Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
September 2001: Invited to present at the first National Listening Session. Presented on Critical Barriers facing persons with disabilities. Ronald Regan building, Washington, DC.
September 2001: Invited to present at the 3rd Annual Florida Family Care Counsel Conference (FCC). Presented paper on Shaping Change In The 21st Century, with a focus on disability policy. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, September 22 - 24, 2000.
May 2001: Invited to present at 3rd Annual Governor’s Summit on Disabilities. Hosted by Family Collaboration Advocacy Friendship Empowerment (CAFÉ). Presented paper on Consumer Individual Plan for Employment Development and Execution. Kissimmee, Florida, May 18-20, 2001.
June 2000: Invited to present at the Second Annual Florida Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE) Conference. Presented workshops on the topics of “Consumer Choice – Are You Getting What You Want” and “Working Collaboratively With the Consumer.” Orlando, Florida, June 28 – 30, 2000.
June 2000: Invited to present at the Second Annual Governor’s Summit on Disabilities, sponsored by the Collaboration Advocacy Friendship and Empowerment (Family C.A.F.E.). Workshop on shaping change in the 21st century. Orlando, Florida, June 2 – 4, 2000.
May 2000: Composed, organized and hosted 10 separate Consumer Education Forums Statewide for the Occupational Access and Opportunity Commission. Florida, May 2000.
September 1999: Keynote speaker at Able Trust Disabled Symposium, Orlando, Florida, September 28-30, 1999.
March 1997: Testified before the Senate Conformation hearing for an unprecedented second term as Student Regent with Florida State University System. Florida Senate Education Committee, Tallahassee, Florida.
March 1996: Testified before the Senate Conformation Board for Student Regent with Florida State University System. Florida Senate Education Committee, Tallahassee, Florida.
May 1995: Keynote speaker at Johnson Rhode Island Prevention Center Conference, Johnson, Rhode Island.
June 1994: Keynote speaker at New Jersey’s Annual Conference on Disabilities and Addiction, Newark, New Jersey.
1991-1994: Presented “Think First” Outreach Program, Pensacola, Florida.
X. Organizations/Memberships:
2003 – present – Big Bend Fair Housing Board of Directors
2002 - 2005 – Appointment to the U.S. Access Board (Presidential Appt.)
2001 - 2002 – Leadership Tallahassee Class XIX
2001- Present – Transportation Disadvantage Commissioner for Dept. of Ed
2001- 2003 – Member of Florida Alliance for Assisted Services and Tech.
2001 - 2004 – Member of Transportation Planning Advisory Committee
2000 – present – Waiver Council Member, Florida Building Commission
2000 – present – FSU Alumni Board Member
1999 – Present – Governor’s working group on Americans With Disabilities
1998 – Present – Tallahassee Chamber
1998 – Present – Handicapped Scuba Association
1998 – Present – Phi Lambda Theta
1997 – Present – FSU Alumni Association
1996 – Present – North Florida Spinal Cord Association
1995 – Present – Florida Paralyzed Veterans Association
1994 – Present – University of West Florida Alumni Association
1990 – Present – Republican Party
Previous:
1996 – 2003 – National Association on Alcohol, Drugs, & Disability, Inc.
1996 – 1998 – Florida Board of Regents, student member (appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles)
1993 – 1998 – Florida Teacher’s Association
1991 – 1993 – Students with Special Needs, University of West Florida
1981 – 1990 – Eagle Scout Association
References can be supplied by request