Christina Kline Named Executive Director for Disability Management

Kline will begin her role at Duke on Feb. 1, 2023

Christina Kline headshot

Christina Kline, director and ADA coordinator for the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office at the University of Michigan, will become the new executive director for Disability Management at Duke on Feb. 1, 2023.

Kline will assume leadership for Duke’s Disability Management System following the departure of Leigh Fickling, who left Duke in June 2022 to be closer to family in Surf City, North Carolina. She has 14 years of experience in disability services and other roles focused on civil rights.

Kline was selected following a national search to advance accessibility support and services for Duke students, faculty, staff, patients and visitors. She has a law degree from the University of Illinois and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley.

At Duke, Kline’s responsibilities will include ensuring an accessible, hospitable working and learning environment for people with disabilities and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.

“Christina impressed everyone throughout the interview process,” said Paul Grantham, assistant vice president with interim oversight for Disability Management. “She has extraordinary qualifications and experience for this role, and more importantly, she has the passion and skills to position Duke as a leader in accessibility for the communities we serve.”

At the University of Michigan, Kline was responsible for providing guidance and support with regard to the university’s responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar laws. This includes addressing topics such as accommodations, physical accessibility, service animals, and disability inclusion and awareness. Before joining the University of Michigan, she served as an associate attorney at a Michigan law firm and as a legal fellow for the Michigan American Civil Liberties Union.

The Duke Disability Management System, established in 2000, helps the university and health system comply with federal and state regulations and connects students, employees, job applicants and visitors to disability resources and accommodations. It also helps ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and serves as a centralized clearinghouse on disability-related information, procedures and services.