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Union County to Dedicate New Multi-Use Building in Honor of Colleen Fraser, National Disability Advocate Killed in 911 Attacks

Dedication set for 2 p.m. Monday, July 29th at Westfield Public Safety Complex

 

WESTFIELD, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will be joined by local, state and national governmental officials in dedicating a new multi-use building on Monday, July 29th at 2 p.m. in the County Public Safety Complex in Westfield in honor of disability advocate Colleen Fraser, who was killed in the 911 attacks.

Fraser, 51, was on board the ill-fated United Airlines Flight 93, en route to a grant writing seminar in Reno, Nevada. A native of Elizabeth, New Jersey and a graduate of Rutgers University, Fraser helped draft the “Americans with Disabilities Act.” She carried a tiny copy of the Constitution with her to encourage the disabled to become their own advocates. Born with a condition that affected her legs, Fraser stood 4’6” and used a cane and a mobility scooter. At the time of her death, she was serving as Executive Director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living, and vice chairwoman of the New Jersey Disabilities Council.

After graduating from Rutgers University, where she studied English literature, Fraser took a job as a case manager with Community Access Unlimited, an advocacy group in Elizabeth for people with disabilities. She was director of DIAL Inc., a center for independent living in Clifton. She also served as director of Union County’s Office of the Disabled.

DATE: MONDAY, JULY 29TH, 2 P.M.

PLACE: WESTFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX, 300 NORTH AVENUE EAST, WESTFIELD, NJ