MONROE — After an extensive national search, the ACCESS to Independence Board of Directors has selected Jason Beloungy as the next Executive Director, effective March 1. 

Beloungy succeeds ACCESS’s long-term Executive Director, Dee Nash, who is retiring after 10 years of service.

Beloungy has spent the last 15 years in a variety of roles within the independent living movement. Since 2010, Beloungy has been the assistant director of ACCESS. Previously, Beloungy was a policy analyst for the National Council on Independent Living in Washington, D.C. Beloungy began his work in the movement as an independent living specialist for Independent Living Resources in La Crosse. Through a branch office in southwest Wisconsin, he led the center’s disability advocacy efforts and provided independent living services.

Beloungy holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Further, he has experience managing residential services, providing county mental health services and working with youth in an institutional setting. 

ACCESS to Independence provides advocacy, resources, and services with people of any type of disability, and of all ages. 

ACCESS serves the counties of Columbia, Dane, Dodge and Green. ACCESS has over 50 percent of direct service staff, management and board members who are individuals with disabilities. For more information, go to www.accesstoind.org, or call 608-242-8484.