Troy R. Justesen, former associate director for domestic policy at the White House, has been named deputy commissioner of the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).

In that position, Justesen will work closely with Joanne Wilson, commissioner of RSA, and direct programs to implement the collaborative provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which includes the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. He will provide leadership and oversight to RSA programs, including the public Vocational Rehabilitation Program, the Independent Living Program, and the Demonstration and Training programs.

“Dr. Justesen is recognized as a national leader on issues of employment and vocational rehabilitation for people with disabilities,” Assistant Secretary Robert H. Pasternack said. “His extensive disability policy background coupled with his experiences as a vocational rehabilitation counselor make him uniquely qualified to assist us as we continue to help people with disabilities find meaningful, gainful, integrated employment and live more independently.”

He most recently served as associate director for domestic policy at the White House where he was responsible for providing management and direction in the implementation of Bush’s New Freedom Initiative.

The initiative is the president’s comprehensive program to promote the full participation of people with disabilities in all areas of society by increasing access to assistive and universally designed technologies, expanding educational and employment opportunities, and promoting increased access into daily community life. Justesen’s other White House duties included policy and program development around governmentwide issues affecting people with disabilities, including education, vocational rehabilitation, social security and employment. Before that, Justesen served as deputy executive director of the President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education where he helped draft a report to the president recommending policy reform for the 2003 reauthorization of the IDEA.

Justesen holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in vocational rehabilitation counseling from Utah State University in Logan, as well as a doctorate of education from Vanderbilt University. He began his career as an assistive technology coordinator for northern Utah at the Northern Utah Center for Independent Living in Logan.

The Rehabilitation Services Administration is one of three components within the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. RSA oversees formula and discretionary grant programs that help individuals with physical or mental disabilities to obtain employment and live more independently through the provision of such supports as counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other individualized services.

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