ADA 32nd Anniversary

Daniel Van Sant

Director of Disability Policy

Daniel Van Sant is a disability rights attorney who has practiced most extensively in the areas of inclusive education, gender-based violence, and inclusive international development. He draws on his personal and professional experience with disability in leading the disability policy work at The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement.

Prior to joining The Harkin Institute, Daniel was a staff attorney at Disability Rights Iowa where he provided free legal representation to children with disabilities and their families; defending their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other state and federal disability laws. He also monitored institutions and facilities around Iowa that house youth with disabilities and provided consultation on emerging special education issues to state and local stakeholders. Prior to his work at Disability Rights Iowa, Daniel represented survivors of sexual assault in a variety of civil legal matters as a staff attorney with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. In addition to his direct-representation legal work, Daniel has worked in disability law and policy at the national and international levels through several fellowships, grants, and consultancies.

Daniel received bachelor’s degrees in International Relations, Rhetoric, and Politics from Drake University. He earned his Juris Doctorate and a Master of Science in Cultural Foundations of Education with a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Disability Studies from Syracuse University. When he is not working, Daniel enjoys traveling, learning languages, and tending to an excessive number of houseplants.