Michael F. Harris
Michael F. Harris has been Deputy Director of the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America since 1995. He is also Government Relations Director for the organization and is responsible for managing and regulating activities of the Legislation, Advocacy, and Architectural Barriers Programs.
Mr. Harris was in the United States Marine Corps as Supply Battalion Clerk from 1975 – 1979. He was stationed in California and Okinawa Japan and was honorably discharged after receiving seven Meritorious Mast awards. He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Madonna University and also attended Henry Ford Community College prior to that.
Mr. Harris’ has a noteworthy history filled with advocacy and action. He was directly involved in the design phase of Comerica Ballpark and Ford Field to make sure the stadiums were designed and built in compliance with barrier free design guidelines. He was instrumental in persuading the Michigan Legislature to appropriate spinal cord injury research funding into the Department of Community Health budget for 2001 and continually educates and informs the public to disability rights laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Harris played a role in the passage of legislation including the Michigan Freedom to Work for Individuals with Disabilities Act; The Home Inclusive Home Design Act and Public Acts 248 and 249 of 2005 to ensure the rights of individuals with disabilities.
His advocacy in Public Transportation includes working with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to make the state accessibility codes for public rights of ways uniform with federal codes; creating the Pump Guide, an online guide of gas stations across Michigan that offer disabled travelers full service at self-service prices. He saw through the successful conclusion to the complaint MPVA filed with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) alleging discrimination by the Detroit Department of Transportation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and successful conclusion on numerous civil rights complaints in federal courts against municipalities throughout southeastern Michigan for violating Title II of ADA.