A Life Dedicated to Creating Change with 2022 Inductee Ron Reed

The impact of Ron Reed’s work can be felt all across the state, from Vermillion to Pierre to the Black Hills. For over five decades, Dr. Reed has worked tirelessly and behind the scenes to enrich the lives not only of individuals with special needs but of all South Dakotans. He joined Marci Burdick for a conversation about his life’s work.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The way Ron navigated challenges to provide the best life possible for his daughter Kathleen.
• The impact he had in creating special education systems in South Dakota,
• And the drive to do good that has inspired Ron throughout his career and life.

“Anything is possible if you just open the right door,” –Ron Reed

Governor Richard Kneip described Dr. Ron Reed as “a visionary in terms of identifying and dealing with the challenges and problems in education.” Ron served at a pivotal moment in the national fight for disability rights as he advocated for and led the state’s implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first disability civil rights law enacted in the United States. 

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