Biography

Lex Frieden is Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Rehabilitation at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and he is adjunct Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine. Mr. Frieden also directs the ILRU – Independent Living Research Utilization Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston. ILRU is a research, training and technical assistance program on independent living for people with disabilities and older adults.

Mr. Frieden has served as chairperson of the National Council on Disability, president of Rehabilitation International, and chairperson of the American Association of People with Disabilities. He is recognized as one of the founders of the independent living movement by people with disabilities in the early 1970’s, and he was instrumental in conceiving and drafting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

Mr. Frieden holds degrees in psychology from the University of Tulsa and the University of Houston and he has been awarded an honorary doctorate in law (LL.D.) by the National University of Ireland. He has received two Presidential Citations for his work in the field of disability.

Mr. Frieden is the author of more than 100 published contributions to the literature. He has given more than 1,000 lectures and presentations at events throughout the US and internationally. Mr. Frieden is currently leading a national research study to evaluate the impact of the ADA and to identify population group disparities related to employment, transportation, housing and community living.