A nationally renowned disability advocate took the role of the director for the Disabled Students' Program Wednesday, saying he would promote career accessibility amid campus budget cuts.

Paul Hippolitus was appointed to the position, which operates under the UC Berkeley Office of Equity and Inclusion, after serving as director of the Students with Disabilities Resource Center at CSU East Bay.

Hippolitus has also worked in the U.S. Department of Labor and negotiated technical assistance regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"I look forward to working with (Disabled Students' Union) ... leaders and to getting them involved in DSP programs," Hippolitus said.

In his new position, he said he wants to encourage disabled students to represent themselves as people with unique experiences to employers.

"Disability is diversity and causes you to learn some skills ... that can be showcased to employers," Hippolitus said. "It's analogous to women entering the workforce."

He said some services will have to be sacrificed in light of the campus's budget deficit of $100 million, but said he was committed to maintaining accommodations and services mandated by the federal government.

As Hippolitus assumes the director role, the office of equity and inclusion is facing a 19.7 percent budget cut.

"We won't and we can't cut

accommodations and accessibility," Hippolitus said.

Barbara Gross Davis, assistant vice chancellor for equity and inclusion, said that although the magnitude of cuts to the DSP program is still unknown, Hippolitus could help it survive the cutbacks.

"He's been successful in his previsions position and he's got a good sense of where we might achieve some economies of operation while still serving students as best we can," she said.

Alex Ghenis, a UC Berkeley senior and president of the Disabled Students' Union, said the campus should "go above and beyond just what the law requires."

Ghenis said the program provides academic assistance as requested by disabled students.

Such assistance includes note-taking programs, software assistance and academic exceptions or extensions on assignments.

He said Hippolitus should focus on administrative reforms that would make filing complaints easier for disabled students on campus.

"It would be helpful and proactive (for Hippolitus) to create a streamlined outline for filing complaints," he said.

Gibor Basri, vice chancellor for equity and inclusion, granted special permission for Hippolitus' appointment on May 14.

Hippolitus said he is excited to continue his current interests in his new role.

"It's legacy work for me," he said. "It's the culmination of a long career, and a chance to pass on a legacy to the next generation."

Tags: DISABLED STUDENTS PROGRAM