Dewey Knight, was an assistant county manager who played a significant role in the people with disabilities movement. This portrait hangs in the New Government Building, which still has many floors without restrooms for people in  wheelchairs. He also occupied a seat on the Independent Review Panel. When an important issue came before this panel in the mid 1980's, to add people with disabilities to the County Affirmative Action, Dewey Knight threw what we call a very vocal tirade against such a thing. Harry Russell, a blind county employ had meekly  testified that the 5% goal be lowered to 2.5% of people with disabilities should be included in the County Affirmation Action Program.

When Dewey Knight was done, the other Independent Panel Members, who had been supportive, simply back off after their fellow panel member, representing County Manager Stierhiem, Dewey Knight spoke in opposition. And that was the end to Affirmative Action For people with disabilities in Metro Dade County Government. It also is why people  With disabilities never worked their way up into County administration. They were deliberately kept out of the Affirmative  Action Program.

For people with disabilities in County  Government who boast that they do not Discriminate against people with disabilities in employment.

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