Linda Gonzales Leaves a Legacy of Leadership

The fields of Independent Living practice, research and policy lost a valuable friend and colleague on July 27, 2013.

Linda Gonzales was an untiring champion of independent living and rights for people with disabilities—especially in rural America. The RTC/IL was fortunate to have had a long and enriching experience with Linda over the past 30 years, including her current membership on the Research and Training Center on Community Living’s Scientific and Consumer Advisory Panel. Her candid advisement and thoughtfulness was always appreciated and respected. She was able to bridge the gap between independent living services, policy and research that few in the field could. 

We join our colleagues at the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) in mourning her untimely passing. Linda was a luminary in the field of Independent Living and in spite of her passing, the influence she has had on the field of rural independent living will not soon diminish.