Federal Faces: Dinah Cohen

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Monday, October 26, 2009; 5:18 AM

Job title: Director, Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), U.S. Department of Defense, TRICARE Management Activity

Best known for: Providing specialized computers, software and other electronic devices to more than 81,000 federal employees and wounded military service members with hearing, visual, dexterity, cognitive and communications disabilities to help make the workplace more accessible.

Government service: Cohen has held positions as the manager of the Disability and Federal Women's Program at the Agency for International Development and served with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Naval Research Laboratory before becoming the first-ever director of the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program at the Department of Defense in 1990, where she remains today.

Biggest challenge of the job: CAP offers tremendous assistance to wounded service members and disabled government employees, but it is not always easy to get the word out to the broader federal community. "So many need our services and could be gainfully employed if only they or their employers knew we existed," she said.

Quote: Cohen came to her position having faced her own adversity, a congenital heart disease at a young age. "Growing up with my disabilities, I am inspired to make sure others can succeed in their chosen careers as I have."