President Barack Obama has appointed 15 disability advocates hailing from New York to Oregon to a federal advisory panel on intellectual disabilities.

The advocates will join the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, a 24-member panel tasked with advising the president and the secretary of health and human services on issues of concern to those with intellectual disabilities.

New members range from national leaders like Peter Berns who serves as CEO of The Arc to locally-focused advocates including Micki Edelsohn who works to boost housing and employment options in Delaware for adults like her son who has an intellectual disability.

“These fine public servants bring both a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their new roles,” Obama said in a statement announcing the appointments. “Our nation will be well-served by these men and women, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities dates back to the Kennedy administration. Though it has had different names over the years, every president since has convened an advisory committee to address the needs of Americans with intellectual disabilities.

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