Biography

Marisa Demaya has been with the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) program, since 2004 under the Community Living Partnership and National State-to-State Technical Assistance Programs, both funded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In 2009, she transitioned to the Southwest ADA Center, providing ADA technical assistance and serving as data coordinator. In 2013, Marisa transitioned to the role of Deputy Director for the center coordinating training and outreach activities among staff and the center's regional affiliates while continuing to serve as data coordinator. Her areas of focus include instructional design and exploration of streamlined learning mechanisms, writing and helping consumers understand their various civil rights under the ADA. When not participating in training related activities you can find her assisting consumers via the center’s toll-free hotline and co-moderating the ADA National Network’s ADA Legal webinar series and other programming on behalf of the center. Marisa received a Bachelor of Science degree in professional writing from the University of Houston. In her spare time, she participates participated in animal foster/rescue efforts, enjoys dabbling in amateur audio book narration and creating ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos, much to her family's dismay.