The governor Jennifer Gonzalez appointed this Thursday Fernando Diaz Rivera as an advocate for People with Disabilities, a position that has remained vacant since the Senate Last October, he announced the appointment of David Figueroa Betancourt.
Díaz Rivera, according to a statement from The Fortresshas exhaustive knowledge of management and supervision, as well as federal and state laws related to the rights of people with disabilities and its application in public and private service. The nominee, who currently works as an executive assistant at the Municipality of Barranquitaswhere he is from, also has a background in regulatory compliance matters, administrative supervision, complaint investigation and interagency coordination, with a focus on accessibility and inclusion.
It was reported that Díaz Rivera completed a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and has a bachelor’s degree in Mental Health Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico. Additionally, he has worked in the Retention Department of the National University College and was a rehabilitation counselor and regional director of the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration.
Upon being appointed before the beginning of the third legislative session – which begins on Monday, January 12 –, Díaz Rivera will immediately take office as head of the Ombudsman for People with Disabilities.
Before the Senate, Díaz Rivera will seek to have better luck than his predecessor, Figueroa Betancourt, who faced widespread opposition within the majority of New Progressive Party after accusations, especially, from the commercial sector for allegedly promoting the filing of frivolous lawsuits for alleged violations of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as for their employment relationship with the lawyer José Carlos Vélez Colónwho has been questioned for allegedly promoting this type of lawsuits.
Although he acknowledged having gone to court in lawsuits of this nature, Figueroa Betancourt – who was part of González’s campaign team and aspired, unsuccessfully, in 2024 to the House of Representatives– denied having participated in frivolous lawsuits or receiving financial benefits from the cases.
