Meet Our CEO
Dan McConchie, a 27-year public policy expert, created the Accessibility Policy Institute in 2025. Using his experience in the non-profit sector and as an elected official, he launched the organization to help champion accessibility rights nationwide.
Dan McConchie
CEO
Dan McConchie grew up in rural Indiana as the oldest of four boys. He joined the Army
National Guard on his 17th birthday and served for nine years in the infantry and military police while simultaneously going to college in Springfield, Missouri and then to graduate school outside Chicago, Illinois.
After graduating magna cum laude, Dan worked in the non-profit sector as a public policy expert for 18 years before deciding to run for elected office and becoming an Illinois State Senator.
In 2007, Dan was in a hit-and-run accident that left him with a spinal cord injury and no use of his legs. Undeterred from his quest to make the world a better place, he was the first paraplegic to win a state-level office in Illinois when he ran for the Illinois Senate in 2016. There he championed a myriad of issues including expanded accessibility for the disabled.
After serving nearly a decade in office, Senator McConchie started the Accessibility Policy Institute to take his quest to champion accessibility rights nationwide.
Dan lives in the greater Chicago area with his wife of over 25 years. Together, they have two daughters.
A Proven Track Record
Dan McConchie is a proven advocate for the disabled. During his time in the Illinois State Senate, he has championed legislation to increase accessibility.
EV Charging
Senate Bill 3323 requires the Department of Transportation to ensure that charging stations are sufficiently accessible to allow independent use by drivers with disabilities.
Condominium Parking
Senate Bill 2740 requires buildings to adopt a policy to accommodate unit
owners with a disability who require an accessible parking space.
Local Disabled Vet Permit Fee
Senate Bill 2741 provides that a disabled veteran, or their caregiver, shall not be charged a building permit fee for improvements to the residence accommodating a disability.
Procurement Code-Persons w/Disabilities
House Bill 3899 amends provisions regarding the use of not-for-profit agencies for people with significant disabilities.
vehicle Plate Accessibility
Senate Bill 616 requires the Secretary of State to issue registration plates with an imprinted and recognizable international accessibility symbol for people with disabilities or those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
ADA Compliance Commission
Senate Bill 3440 creates the ADA Compliance Commission to establish best practices for a person, entity, unit of local government, or the State to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Attorney General Act
Senate Bill 1090 amends the Attorney General Act requiring the AG to compile data concerning accessibility violations and post that information on the AG’s
website.
Veteran Status
Senate Bill 2751 requires a veteran or
caregiver to provide proof of veteran status and attest to the fact that the
improvements to the residence are required to accommodate the veteran’s disability.
Commission on Disability Access
Senate Bill 3376 creates this commission within the Department of Human Services as an advisory body to develop educational materials and information to
facilitate compliance with construction-related accessibility standards.