[blindLaw] Obituary, Celebration of Life Information, and Contributions in Honor of Scott LaBarre

Sat Dec 17 15:08:21 UTC 2022

Friends,

Please find information below concerning our beloved friend and Immediate Past President, Scott Labarre.  We will honor Scott at our NABL Annual Meeting in July as well.

Obituary:

Scott Charles LaBarre

Centennial, Colorado

July 2, 1968 - December 10, 2022

Scott Charles LaBarre, age 54, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, December 10, 2022 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.  Scott was born July 2, 1968 in St. Paul, Minnesota.  He Graduated from St. John’s College in Collegeville, Minnesota and went on to graduate with his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota. 

Scott lost his sight at age 10 but lived his life by the moto that he could do anything.  He clerked in Washington DC in the office of US. Representative Gerry Sikorski.  He was awarded a Scholastic Achievement award and met President Bush.  He moved to Denver where he met his wife and became very involved in the National Federation of the Blind. 

He was a fierce leader in the movement for disability rights and spent decades working for the blind of his generation and beyond.  He argued in the courts on behalf of blind people who experienced discrimination, served as president of the Colorado affiliate and most recently served as national general counsel, and personally mentored hundreds of individuals—all while raising a family. Scott was a lawyer who ran his own private law practice in the areas of employment law, disability rights, and international copyright policy.

He held several leadership positions within the American Bar Association and the organized blind movement. He served as chairman of the Colorado Center for the Blind, led the National Association of Blind Lawyers, and helped establish and guide the Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium. His impact will continue to ripple across the world because of his leadership in securing the Marrakesh Treaty, an international agreement permitting the sharing of accessible books, which was just one among the many ways he created positive and lasting change.

Between many long hours of work and travel, he raised 2 beautiful children, and watched as much of his beloved Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Vikings as possible. He was an avid music lover and enjoyed sharing his favorites with others, and adored playing with his beloved labradoodle, Moka. 

Scott is survived by his wife, Anahit, and their children, Alexander and Karter.  He is also survived by his brother, Craig (Debrah), his parents Donna and Charles, and his dog, Moka. 

Per the request of his family, memorial contributions should be directed to either the Colorado Center for the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind for the work to empower blind people to live the lives they want, to which Scott gave so much. We send our love and gratitude to him and his family.

A Celebration of life to honor Scott will be held Jan 21, 2023 at 4:30 in the evening.  Location information to follow.  There will be an option to join the celebration remotely.

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 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28249&qid=8158186> 

Celebration of Life for Scott LaBarre

Scott C. LaBarre, who was a longtime Federation member, a fierce leader in our movement, and a great friend to so many of us, passed away on Saturday, December 10 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28250&qid=8158186> . The outpouring of love from the Federation family, as well as the disability rights and legal communities, has been felt by his loved ones. A Celebration of Life to honor Scott will be held January 21, 2023, in Denver, Colorado at 4:30 p.m. MT. Those wishing to participate in-person are asked to RSVP for planning purposes. Location details will be shared once the RSVP form is completed. Details on how to join virtually are coming soon.

RSVP for the Celebration of Life <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28251&qid=8158186>  

New: Scott C. LaBarre Leadership and Justice Fund

In coordination with the LaBarre family, the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors has established a fund for memorial donations made in honor of Scott C. LaBarre and his contribution to the development of leadership within the organized blind movement and the broader legal profession. 

The goal of this fund will be to advance efforts to promote leadership development and educational opportunities for blind people, with a preference for supporting internships, educational training/conferences, or other activities that assist blind individuals in expanding their participation in the legal profession or in providing greater leadership in advocacy for the blind.

Sending Messages & Support

Per the request of Scott’s family, memorial contributions should be directed to the National Federation of the Blind <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28252&qid=8158186>  for the work to empower blind people to live the lives they want, to which he gave so much. 

Please share memories and messages to the LaBarre family by sending an email to slabarre at nfb.org <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28253&qid=8158186> .

 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28254&qid=8158186> 

 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28255&qid=8158186> 

 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28256&qid=8158186> 

 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28257&qid=8158186> 

 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28258&qid=8158186> 

 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28259&qid=8158186> 

Ronza Othman, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

443-426-4110

Pronouns: she, her, hers