APRIL Mourns the Loss of Disability Advocate John Nousaine

Statement from APRIL Executive Director, Joan LaBelle

“The disability movement lost a tremendous advocate. On July 25, 2024, John Nousaine died in an accident while SCUBA diving.

John and I served on the APRIL Board of Directors and within moments we realized we had that common love, SCUBA diving. While I was not as advanced as John was, we both shared the passion of the underwater world where we were one with the water and its inhabitants.

John, we will miss you greatly and, while saddened, you were doing what you loved. I will always consider you one of my greatest mentors.

I can imagine when you met up with Linda Gonzales, she enveloped you with her love as you were welcomed by Brian Atwell, Mike Blatchford, Judy Heumann and the other disability movement greats who have gone before you.

APRIL expresses our deepest condolences to his friends and family.”

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Welcome APRIL's new Executive Director, Joan LaBelle

After conducting a rigorous national search, receiving many applications from well qualified applicants from across the country and holding multiple stages of interviews, the APRIL Board is thrilled to announce the hiring of Joan LaBelle as our new Executive Director!

Joan is no stranger to APRIL.  In fact, this is a coming home of sorts.  Joan served on APRIL’s Board of Directors and co-led several of the first APRIL Conferences. Joan has been a part of the APRIL family since its humble beginnings and APRIL has always been near and dear to her heart.

Joan brings a wealth of personal and professional Independent Living experience to APRIL.  She’s a person living with a disability and has lived rural experience.  

She has served as a CIL Executive Director, a CIL Director of Public Policy and Consumer Engagement, a CIL Chief Programs Officer, a SILC member, has provided IL consulting and is a Certified ADA Coordinator. 

The APRIL Board is confident that APRIL and the Independent Living Movement will flourish under Joan’s leadership.