Melanie Thornton is the Coordinator of Access and Equity Outreach at University of Arkansas Partners for Inclusive Communities. She provides professional development on topics related to leadership, disability, diversity, and design. She is very interested in working with organizations to create more accessible environments and to reframe perspectives of disability as an aspect of diversity. Prior to coming to the U of A, Melanie was the Associate Director of the Disability Resource Center and the Director of Project PACE at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She also has 8 years of experience working as a counselor with Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. Melanie earned her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Gallaudet University and her bachelor's degree in psychology from Hendrix College. Melanie enjoys writing, hiking, kayaking, camping and playing with her dog and cats.