Rep. Vanna Howard Appointed to Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Tewksbury’s State Representative, Vanna Howard, is appointed to the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

BOSTON – State Rep. Vanna Howard (D-Lowell) has been appointed by Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano to serve as a member of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Howard sought the appointment as the commission’s work is of personal significance to her. She is one of three members appointed by Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano to the 23-member independent state agency, which was first established in 2020.

“This appointment is very personal to me, I have a daughter who is disabled, and not only empathize with, but understand the daily challenges individuals like her and so many others face,” Howard said. “As a member of the commission, I am committed to making sure our communities are accessible, spaces are accessible, public policies are implemented fairly and bringing stakeholders together to make a difference. Thank you to House Speaker Ronald Mariano for allowing me this honor.”

The Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities is an independent state agency responsible for advancing the cause of all persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The commission’s work includes examining ways to improve employment and transportation, assessing data and disparities, promoting inclusion in public and private workplaces, evaluating state programs, advising the legislative and executive branches, and encouraging collaboration between local disability commissions, disability rights organizations, and disability employment service providers.

For more information on the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, visit https://malegislature.gov/Commissions/Detail/567/Members.Vanna Howard is the state representative serving the 17th Middlesex District which includes Lowell and Tewksbury. Howard currently serves on the House Joint Committee on Ways and Means, Joint Committee on Higher Education, Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, and Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion. Previous appointments by the Speaker were Early Education and Care Advisory Council and Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism at Correctional Facilities of the Commonwealth.