University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (UIC/IDHD)

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Peter Berg passed away peacefully on the morning of April 6, 2026. Peter was a Technical Assistance Coordinator with the Great Lakes ADA Center for over 20 years. He left the Center in 2022 to join the Office of Access and Equity at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) as the new ADA Coordinator. Peter was a valued member of the Great Lakes ADA Center, UIC, and the many communities and organizations he served over the years.
Peter was recognized as one of the leading experts on the ADA within the National ADA Network and was highly respected by federal agency liaisons who work with Technical Assistance staff nationwide. He was the second formal ADA Coordinator in UIC’s history and was honored by UIC with the Award of Merit for his contributions to the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, where he served as both a member and Chairperson for several years.
Peter had many “groupies” within our service region who regularly called and emailed him for guidance when facing difficult situations involving employees, students, or customers. Numerous architects, engineers, and code officials frequently reached out to him to “run” ideas by him when they needed help interpreting the ADA Standards or resolving complex design questions. Research analyzing the outcomes of the Center’s technical assistance activities even identified a “Peter Factor,” closely associated with high customer satisfaction and positive outcomes.
Peter was also frequently interviewed and featured in various media outlets for his expertise in disability rights and accessibility, such as:
InclusionHub, where he discussed the significance of National Disability Independence Day and reflected on the ADA’s lasting impact on digital inclusion. bit.ly/3z6vM4Y.
Voice of America (VOA), highlighting his advocacy for stronger enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and equal access for all. bit.ly/47Mj7GB.
SFGate, where he spoke about the growing need to expand ADA protections to cover the internet and emerging technologies. bit.ly/41TTBM9.
And in this video interview, Peter emphasized the importance of digital accessibility for screen reader users and the real-world consequences of inaccessible websites for people with disabilities. bit.ly/4dBuWDi.
We were fortunate to have the opportunity to work and learn alongside him. He was not only a valued colleague but also a friend to many. His contributions to the disability community have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to shape the path forward.
Peter Berg Obituary: bit.ly/4e5cxPm.

Yesterday, March 30, 2026, the Great Lakes ADA Center celebrated 35 years of Robin Jones’s leadership as she retires as Director of the Great Lakes ADA Center. The Center’s staff had a chance to reflect on what we’ve accomplished under her leadership, think about the big goals the organization will pursue moving forward, and wish Robin well in her next adventures.
Over the years since the establishment of the organization, Robin has been the focal point of the organization and a leader in educating the communities she serves about the ADA, accessibility, and disability inclusion.

Robin Jones has made a profound and lasting impact on the Department of Disability and Human Development through her years of leadership advancing ADA education, access, and inclusion. We are deeply grateful for her dedication, expertise, and service, which have helped shape the future of disability rights.
You will be missed, thank you, Robin!
After 35 years, Robin Jones is retiring as the director of the Great Lakes ADA Center. Robin has been a champion of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which has impacted disability rights, access, and inclusion in the disability community.
Under her leadership, the Great Lakes ADA Center has answered more than 45,000 technical assistance calls, trained more than 250,000 people on the ADA, and educated more than 170,000 individuals through webinars (Data based on available records over the past 25 years). This work has helped people, organizations, and communities understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.
Robin has also consulted with organizations and communities internationally on disability rights, accessibility, and employment accommodations. Providing expertise at conferences in Brunei Darussalam, Ecuador, Peru, and Singapore to share ADA lessons to global audiences. bit.ly/4dcKxJo.
She proudly served as the Accessibility Advisor for the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC), helping make it the most accessible in history by advising the DNC Committee and key venues to ensure facilities, transportation, and materials meet and exceeded accessibility standards. bit.ly/3Py0i3O.
The Great Lakes ADA Center celebrates Robin's work and will continue her legacy to lead initiatives and programs that provide accurate ADA information and education, serving people with disabilities, family members, advocates, organizations, and many others working toward accessibility and inclusion.
Thank you, Robin! Wishing you the best as you move on to great adventures!