Barb Trader is the Executive Director of TASH, a progressive grassroots organization that advances the inclusion and human rights of people with disabilities who are most likely to be segregated, institutionalized and abused. Barb was in direct service as a recreation therapist for 17 years in parks and recreation, public schools, and non-profit agencies.
An activist by nature, she facilitated the inclusion of athletes with disabilities in the Georgia State Games and formed a wheelchair division for the Peachtree Road Race, the first major race in the country to include wheelchair users, serving as race director the first 10 years.
The 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games were the first to be held in the United States as a part of the overall Olympic celebration, due in part to a grassroots effort led by Barb and local ADAPT leaders that gathered 40,000 signatures in less than 10 days. She was a founding board member for the Paralympic Organizing Committee and an integral part of the bid process and served as the vice president for youth and community programs.
She has authored and launched several national programs, including Paralympic Day in the Schools and Express Diversity!, both aimed at helping school-aged youth understand that disability is a natural life experience. Prior to coming to TASH, she worked in program development and director roles for the national headquarters’ offices of VSA arts and Easter Seals.