John McNeal is the current Director for the State Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD). John has extensive knowledge of the ADA rules and regulations, as well as resources and services available to others with disabilities.  In 1990 John was riding his motorcycle and, after looking over his shoulder to check traffic, realized there was a split in the road.  Due to the sudden turn, he was flung from his bike headfirst into a tree. The accident may have left John with the inability to move or feel his legs, but that has never stopped him from living the life he has wanted.

John got involved with SCPD in 1997 because he wanted to help enhance the lives of PWD any way he could. Shortly thereafter, he helped the council with its first endeavors in seeking to better the lives for people with disabilities by taking legislative action. John was instrumental in the passage of the legislation which mandated a statewide attendant services program. John assisted in organizing testimony and, along with other advocates testified many times and worked with legislators, until the bill was passed in 2001.

• During that time, John went to work as an Independent Living Specialist with Independent Resources, Inc. (IRI), until 2005. John continued to be an ardent advocate for PWD and gained such a reputation that he was asked to run for a State Representative position. While John did not win the seat against 10-year incumbent Donna Stone, he talked about the valuable experiences he had and the great people he met. This endeavor also brought great attention to the capabilities of PWD.
• John worked for the Division of Social Services from 2005–2012 but obtained a much better opportunity when he became the Delaware Department of Transportation ADA Title II Coordinator in 2012. At DelDOT, John developed the Department’s initial Self-evaluation and Transition Plan; and oversaw the implementation of the ADA Transition Plan.  In this capacity, he achieved accreditation from the University of Missouri/Great Lakes ADA Center by completing training to obtain ADA Coordinator Certification in all 5 titles of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  John has extensive knowledge of the ADA rules and regulations, as well as resources and services available which he shares with others with disabilities. He continues to be committed to working with Delawareans and our State agencies to ensure that all people with disabilities have access to State of Delaware programs, activities and services in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Although John has been successful in ADA implementation, as SCPD Director since 2017, he committed to fulfilling the mission of the agency - uniting disability advocates and State agency policymakers to ensure that individuals with disabilities are empowered to become fully integrated within the community. He provides leadership, passion and support to serve in the best interest of the community as a whole. He truly believes his current role and all past opportunities are a privilege that he utilizes as he collaborates with others in promoting the civil rights of PWD. He uses his skills and, more importantly, life experiences to resolve issues and work on developing policies, regulation and legislative initiatives which positively impact persons with disabilities.  He does it in a way that brings people together with a mutual sense of respect and value and, therefore, has the sincere respect of state agencies, Delaware’s General Assembly, Federal Congressional Delegation, colleagues, PWD friends and family.

John received the following awards:

• 2004 John Jefferson Memorial Courage Award-Received from the Developmental Disabilities Council for demonstrating outstanding courage for going above and beyond in working to better the lives of Delawareans with Disabilities.
• 2004 Kent County Employee of the Year-Received from The Governors Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, for recognition of outstanding commitment, performance and achievement in employment.
• 2010 recognized by the Wilmington News Journal as one of “25 People Who Matter”- for contributions made to the community by creating policies that helped community members with disabilities achieve employment and have broader opportunities to more freely participate in the community.
• 2010 JEVS Inspiration Award - for contributions made in promoting the lives of individuals with disabilities.
• 2014 Governors Team Excellence Award for playing an integral role in the Improving Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities Work Group
• 2016 Governors Team Excellence Award for Leading the Pedestrian Accessibility Standards Development Teams

John is married to Susan and has an incredible child Jake who is 5.  Some may think John’s life is extraordinary but, as he says, it is just “extraordinarily ordinary”. As the previous State ADA Coordinator, John was committed to working with Delawareans and our State agencies to ensure that all people with disabilities had access to State of Delaware programs, activities and services in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.   As the Director of SCPD, John remains committed to fulfilling the mission of the agency and uniting disability advocates and State agency policymakers to ensure that individuals with disabilities are empowered to become fully integrated within the community.