WATERLOO - Ashley Lerch, of Waterloo and formerly of Martell, was crowned the 2008 Ms. Wheelchair Iowa in Iowa City April 12.

The Ms. Wheelchair Iowa Program provides an opportunity for women of achievement who utilize wheelchairs to educate and advocate for individuals with disabilities.

Lerch is program associate at University of Northern Iowa's Student Disability Services office where she helps to arrange academic accommodations for students with disabilities. She also serves as the adviser for the new student organization Awareness for Individuals with Disabilities.

She plans to spread disability awareness by speaking about her experiences, as well as help individuals with disabilities learn how to be self-advocates. She also wants to help younger individuals with disabilities with the transition from high school to their post-secondary or employment goals, where they will need to advocate for their needs and rights.

Ashley will represent Iowa in the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant in July.