W. Ben Jackson III, JD

Program Specialist

W. Ben Jackson III is a Program Specialist for AUCD, and served as AUCD's 2014-2015Disability Policy Fellow. He graduated from The Dickinson School of Law at The Pennsylvania State University in May of 2104. Prior to joining the AUCD he worked with Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy and Law) at the Kennedy Krieger Institute as a law clerk. As a law clerk with Project HEAL he was responsible for researching and drafting memorandums on special education law. He directly advocated for clients by drafting complaints for the Maryland State Department of Education for alleged violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004). He also worked to ensure his clients had appropriate accommodations and placements by advocating during Individualized Education Program meetings.

As the Disability Policy Fellow, Ben worked with AUCD's Legislative Affairs Committee to formulate and promote the legislative goals of AUCD; provide policy updates and technical assistance to association members, and participate in meetings with Congressional offices related to particular policy issues.

Ben earned a BS in Pre-Law and Sociology at Philadelphia University with a minor in Psychology in 2011. His senior thesis was titled: Alcohol and Drug Use among Undergraduates Attending an Urban University. He presented his senior thesis at the 2012 APHA (American Public Health Association) conference in San Francisco, CA.