Tuesday, February 11, 2025
35.4 F
Roseville

Disabilities Advocate Carolyn Schwebel

It would be inaccurate saying 64-year-old Carolyn Schwebel is a one-woman army advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. That’s because she has a great deal of help, including her friend, Carmena, and husband, John.

But Schwebel, who reads this column in the Atlantic Highlands Herald (New Jersey), did begin declaring war of sorts in 1994 on non-compliant governments and business owners in her area of New Jersey. Her weapons have been various federal laws, including the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. The group Schwebel co-founded, The Equalizers, currently has about fifteen different accessibility lawsuits in New Jersey progressing simultaneously.

‘I have cerebral palsy, and it affects my walking,’ said Schwebel in a telephone interview. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder, usually acquired at birth or before, permanently affecting body movement and muscle coordination.

She added, ‘I had some falls at work (in the ’90s), so I began using a cane, and now I use a wheelchair when a lot of walking is involved.’ She described her walking as an awkward rocking side to side motion, with one leg shorter than the other. The cerebral palsy does not affect her speech.

Raised in Vermont, Schwebel attended the University of Illinois, which, in the early 1960s, had a special program for students with disabilities. Graduating with an English teaching degree, she interviewed with a Chicago city schools recruiter, who said she couldn’t work there as a teacher because she wouldn’t be able to lead fire drills. After she earned master’s and doctorate degrees, she and her husband eventually ended up in New Jersey.

In 1994, when working as a school psychologist, she fell down numerous times while trying to navigate inaccessible school buildings. From the falls, she badly injured her knee, and had to use a cane. In the process, she filed an accessibility complaint with the U.S. Dept. of Education, and from it became a disability advocate.

Advising potential advocates, she said, ‘You have to be prepared for people who are mean and will hate you. The main thing you need is persistence, even stubbornness.’

Finally, she said, you have to be able to take the heat. Some people have cussed at her. Others have accused her of being a disability advocate for the money, even though she plows back any negligible financial benefits received from settlements to use for further advocacy.



Brighter Side

Trending

Job Opening: Sr. Manager, Data Management

5 yrs exp. design, modify, dvlp., write & implement software programming apps & code software. BS deg req’d.

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

Topics

Job Opening: Sr. Manager, Data Management

5 yrs exp. design, modify, dvlp., write & implement software programming apps & code software. BS deg req’d.

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

The Crepe Stop in Roseville

The Crepe Stop in Roseville. Savory & Sweet. Crepes, Pancakes, Waffles, Gelato, Boba Tea.

Roseville Today Super Bowl party picks for Eagles and Chiefs game

Roseville, Calif.- This Sunday at the Superdome in New Orleans, the Philadelphia take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. A super-sized rematch and unofficial national holiday of $8 million dollar commercials, food and drink and a little football.

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin, Calif.

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Making a Splash in Roseville at Steve Wallen Swim School

Roseville, Calif. - Steve Wallen Swim School in Roseville teaches swim lessons and water safety for infants, kids, and adults of all skill levels.

NorCal Solar and Gutter Cleaning in Roseville: Keeping Your Home Safe and Efficient

Roseville, Calif. - NorCal Solar and Gutter Cleaning, founded in 2019 by Brian Rykhlyuk shortly after graduating from Roseville High School, has quickly become a trusted name in the community for gutter cleaning and solar panel maintenance services.

Paul Black’s Solar Panel Cleaning in Roseville serving the region for over 30 years

Roseville, Calif. - Money-saving solar panels in Roseville, Rocklin and throughout South Placer County have become ubiquitous From new residential solar communities continue to big business and after market installation, solar seems to be a smart choice to shred those high monthly electric costs.