Stella Young wore many hats. She was an Australian comedian, worked on a TV show, and ran her own article. Young was born in Stawell in Western Victoria, Australia on February 24th, 1982, with a genetic disease called osteogenesis imperfecta, also known to many as “brittle bone disease.” Although this disease caused her to remain in a wheelchair for most of her life, she never let it define her. She became a disability rights advocate.One thing she noted about her beginning years is “My parents didn’t know what to do with me so they just pretended I was normal and that worked out quite well for me.” This mindset is what would shape her years to come. This began at the age of 14, when she started her activist work conducting an access audit of the shops on her main street.&nbsp;By the time Young reached adulthood she went to Deakin University where she, like many others at her age, began her journey of independence. She learned a lot about navigating the city from her friend Caroline Bowditch. Caroline also helped Stella modify her bathroom to be more accessible and gave her many tips about how to catch the train around Melbourne. At University, she got a degree in journalism and she later completed a Graduate Diploma at the University of Melbourne. Through her years in college and graduate school, she was a member of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council, Ministerial Advisory Council for the Department of Victorian communities and Women With Disabilities Victoria.In 2003, Young's work began to catch the public eye She hosted eight seasons of Australia’s first disability culture program called No Limits. It aired on Channel 31 and community stations across the country. <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4262916/">No Limits</a> was a show about what it’s like to live with a disability and it fostered community and identity for many. In 2007, Young’s work transitioned to the Public Programs at Melbourne Museum, where she taught kids about bugs, dinosaurs and began to experiment with Comedy. During this time she became a two-time state finalist in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Raw Comedy competition.Young was a well-known figure in Australia, where she advocated for greater access for people with disabilities. In 2010, her advocacy work came to fruition when she became an editor for Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), for <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.abc.net.au/rampup/">Ramp Up,</a> a series of articles and discussions around disability. All of the articles are still up to this day on ABC’s website. Unfortunately, ABC discontinued funding and the community was forced to find other spaces for continued engagement and growth As this was happening, ironically, Young had an opportunity to pursue a different offerThis culminated in 2014 in her Ted Talk <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.abc.net.au/rampup/">“I’m Not Your Inspiration Thank You Very Much” </a>where she discussed issues around disabled tokenism. Specifically, that disabled individuals are often seen as an inspiration to non-disabled individuals, to tell themselves “At least it's not me.” Young often spoke about how living in her body was not all that different from the lives of able bodied individuals; it was the way the world responded to her disability that made it challenging.&nbsp;<blockquote>“We’ve been sold this lie that disability makes you exceptional and it honestly doesn’t… I want to live in a world where we don’t have such low expectations of disabled people that we are congratulated for getting out of bed and remembering our own names in the morning.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</blockquote>Shortly after this event Stella passed at the age of 32 on December 8, 2014. Her work was an inspiration and shows how hard work and determination leaves a lasting impact on the world. In honor of her memory, I challenge you to listen to her words. See her as one who empowers change rather than one who inspires change, and make a conscious effort to foster that within yourself and your community.If you would like to learn more about Stella Young there is a <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://stellayoung.com.au/">website </a>dedicated to her that outlines her work and life in detail.&nbsp;

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Stella Young was an Australian comedian and disability rights advocate whose work culminated in a wonderful 9 minute Ted Talk. Despite the powerful words communicated in her Ted Talk, the legacy she left and the lasting impact she had made on thousands of individuals is difficult to sum up in 9 minutes. We are honored to share more of her story in our article.

Stella Young: Nobody’s Inspiration

Vic Finkelstein was a disability rights activist and writer who died at the age of 73. He was an academic whose writings largely educated people with disabilities on their rights. Vic Finkelstein was born in 1938 and grew up in Durban, South Africa. His life changed forever in 1954 when he attempted a pole vault and broke his neck- a situation that left him paralyzed. After that, Vic would spend time in a wheelchair, he was only 16 years old. The Jewish community in Durban helped with treatment and rehabilitation at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire.&nbsp;After recovery, Vic returned to South Africa, where he attended the University of Natal in Durban and Pietermaritzburg before pursuing a Master’s Degree in Psychology at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg. It was during this time that Vic became involved with anti-apartheid activism. In 1966, the flat Vic shared with his cousin was raided, and he couldn’t escape in his wheelchair. Therefore, he was arrested and imprisoned for his involvement with anti-apartheid activities.&nbsp;He was imprisoned for three months, and during that time, he was forced to commit to a period of hard labor, hardship, and deprivation and issued a five-year ban under the Suppression of Communism Act (1967-1972). Finkelstein fled to the United Kingdom as a refugee in 1968 and became involved in the nascent British Disability Movement. Finkelstein describes how his firsthand experiences witnessing apartheid ruling and how the South African police treated him sparked a new way of thinking about society and how disabled people are oppressed.&nbsp;After moving to the UK, Vic Finkelstein quickly established connections with other political people with disabilities. One of the people he connected with was Paul Hunt, yet another disabled activist. They came together and analyzed how the elements of the anti-apartheid movement could be utilized to fight for the civic rights of disabled people. In that regard, Paul published a letter to The Guardian in 1972 calling for a whole new organization established by people with disabilities.&nbsp;Finkelstein and&nbsp; Paul began working on it right away, and together they co-founded UPIAS- the Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation in 1974. This was the first organization to reject a compensatory medical approach to disabilities. Alternatively, UPIAS focused their efforts on the social and structural barriers that oppress people living with disabilities. This is what resulted in the creation of a <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://disability-studies.leeds.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/library/finkelstein-The-Social-Model-of-Disability-and-the-Disability-Movement.pdf">social model</a> of disability.&nbsp;Vic Finkelstein was the key drafter in laying down the main principles of the social model. He drafted the Fundamental Principles of Disability that described disability as a form of social oppression. Later in his career, Vic turned his attention to the formation of the disability arts. In fact, he helped set up London’s Disability Arts Forum in 1986. The forum was created to help promote and discuss the shared cultural identity of people with disabilities.&nbsp;On top of that, he was also prominent in setting up the British Council Organization of Disabled People in 1981. He even became the first chair of the organization. The same year, Vic represented Britain at the very first world congress that Disabled People’s International established. Professionally, Vic worked as a psychologist for a couple of years in the health service.&nbsp;Vic Finkelstein worked as a professor at Open University until 1994. He mostly held lectures on ‘The Disabled Person in the Society.’ This module is included in the initial courses on disability studies. Later, Vic joined the disability studies at the University of Leeds. At the time, he joined as a visiting senior research fellow. He remained active at the university until he retired in 2008.&nbsp;Vic passed away in 2011, but his legacy is deeply ingrained in all crucial things in the disability struggle today and the power the disability arts movement wields. On top of that, the works of Vic Finkelstein inspired the creation of Disability Equality Training, the campaign for civil rights legislation, and Direct Payments. Today, we are thankful to Vic for the thousands of people worldwide who are now getting a more rewarding and fulfilling lifestyle than they could have imagined because of the battles people like Vic fought.&nbsp;There are no direct interviews of Vic but if you're interested in learning more you can look up some of his writings. This one from the<a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.independentliving.org/docs1/finkelstein.html"> Independent Living Institute</a> is a great example of one of his works. While reviewing his work and you’re looking into creating a home that helps you or a loved one continue to live with dignity Rosarium Health is here to help. Our team would love to assist you with home modifications that make your life easier.<a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.rosariumhealth.com/"> Reach out today!</a>

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Vic Finkelstein is a global disability rights pioneer. Leveraging his experiences from anti-apartheid movements in his home country of South Africa, Vic deployed successful campaigns, programming, and policy changes to aid the U.K’s progressive disability rights movement. He’s best known for the creation of the social model of disability. 

Vic Finkelstein - Founder of the Disability Arts and Disability Rights Movement

Justin Dart Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 29th, 1930. He grew up in one of the wealthiest families in Chicago. His father, Justin Whitelock Dart Sr, was the President of Dart Industries. Also, Charles R Walgreen, the founder of Walgreens, and his wife Myrtle Walgreen were the parents of Dart's mother, Ruth Walgreen Dart.&nbsp;Unfortunately, Dart contracted polio at the age of 18 before joining the University of Houston. He had been suffering from pneumonia, and the after-effects of polio took away the use of his legs. That resulted in him using a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Dart earned a degree in History and Education at the University in 1954.&nbsp;The University denied him his teaching certificate due to his disability. It was during that time that Justin's journey of activism began. Since the University of Houston back then was racially segregated, Justin was the first student to organize a student group to oppose racism at their school.&nbsp;After finishing his studies, Dart went on and became a successful entrepreneur. He founded three corporations and became the President of Tupperware in Japan. He would employ both men and women with disabilities in his companies to empower them. But Justin's mission was more extensive than money. He wanted to create actual social change. Therefore, in 1967, he gave up his corporate life to pursue Activism for people with disabilities.&nbsp;In 1972, Justin Dart Jr began to identify himself as a Republican. This change directly opposed the efforts of President Ronald Regan, a personal friend of his family, and pressured him to revise the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. In 1981, Dart Jr accepted President Regan's appointment as Vice Chairman of the National Council on Disability. He worked with both Republican and Democratic members of Congress to advance the rights of people with disabilities.&nbsp;During the same period, Justin and Yoshiko Dart embarked on a cross-country journey to collect testimonies from people with disabilities. In order to draft legislation that would finally address prejudice against people with disabilities in America, their objective was to gather accounts of the injustices and struggles that disabled people experienced. All of this was done twice at the Darts' expense.&nbsp;After talking to disabled people all over the country, Justin and Yoshiko returned to Washington, D.C., where they started drafting the legislation that is now known as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa collaborated with many other well-known leaders to draft the ADA after receiving the data gathered.&nbsp;The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was passed on July 26th, 1990. President George H.W. Bush, Justin Dart, Evan Kemp, Harold Wilke, and Sandra Parrino were present at the signing ceremony. And before signing the document into law on the Whitehouse Lawn, Bush said it was finally time to let the shameful wall of exclusion tumble down. But Justin didn't stop there. He set out to educate people on the significance of the ADA for people with disabilities.&nbsp;After serving on several federal and state disability commissions, Dart was appointed by President George H.W. Bush as the chairman of the President's Committee on Employment for People with Disabilities. In 1993, Dart left his position at the President's committee and founded Justice for All along with other activists. They fought against the congressional attempts to weaken ADA. He even organized numerous Anniversary events for ADA.&nbsp;Because of his consistent advocacy and conversations about the rights of people with disabilities, Justin Dart became a well-known American activist and advocate for people with disabilities. In fact, he was instrumental in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as the information from his tours, network, and diligence became the legislative conversation around ADA.&nbsp;In 1995, Justin co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities (AADP) with John Kemp, Paul Hearne, Senator Bob Dole, Tony Coelho, and Pat Wright. In 1997, Justin Dart suffered multiple heart attacks curtailing his ability to travel. But that didn't stop him from lobbying for the rights of people with disabilities and attending rallies, events, demonstrations, and public hearings.&nbsp;Towards the end of his life, Justin Dart worked on a political manifesto that outlined his vision for the revolution of empowerment. In 1998, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton. During the ceremony, Clinton recognized Dart's efforts in opening doors of opportunities to millions of American citizens by securing the passage of one of the Nation's civil rights laws.&nbsp;Justin Dart Jr. died on June 22nd, 2002, from congestive heart failure related to polio. For members of the disability community, Dart is a hero and an icon for the modern disability movement and the ideals of leadership and advocacy.&nbsp;If you are interested in learning more about this pioneer of disability advocacy please check out<a target="_self" rel="" href="https://youtu.be/ywTVusm_WAo"> this interview</a> done by the Disability Rights Education &amp; Defense Fund. His work is one of the reasons Rosarium Health is able to do what it does today. If you are interested in learning more about what home modifications can be done for you or a loved one to make it more accessible check us out <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.rosariumhealth.com/">here</a>!

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Justin Dart Jr. is considered the Godfather of the ADA and is one of the influential people who made the ADA a reality in America.

Justin Dart Jr - American Activist and The Godfather of ADA 

Edward Verne Roberts, also known as Ed Roberts, is the father of the Independent Living Movement. Therefore, no list of pioneers of accessibility can be complete without mentioning him. Growing out of the disability rights movement of the 1960’s, the Independent Living Movement worked to replace the special education and rehabilitation experts' concepts of integration, normalization, and rehabilitation with a new paradigm developed by people with disabilities themselves.Robert was born in 1939 in San Mateo, CA and died in Berkley, CA on March 14, 1995. At 14, he contracted polio, which paralyzed him from the neck down. As a result, he had to pause his high school studies. But after surviving polio, most of his lower body was left paralyzed. For that reason, Roberts needed a respirator or iron lung.&nbsp;And because of his medical equipment, he couldn't attend his classes physically. He would listen to them on the telephone. For the next eighteen months, he received treatment until he was physically able to return to school. But after returning to school, Roberts noticed that many other students with disabilities like him faced discrimination. For instance, Roberts's school had denied him the chance to graduate because he couldn't pass driver's and physical education credits. Robert was, however, bold enough to stand up for himself and petitioned the school to grant him the diploma. But that was only the beginning of many other challenges he would face in his education journey. Soon after graduating high school, Roberts got an admission letter to the University of California, Berkeley.&nbsp;Unfortunately, as soon as the University learned that he had quadriplegia, the admission office tried to revert his admission letter. The administrators were quick to point out that the University's dorms didn't have the space or appropriate equipment to accommodate Robert's 800-pound Iron Lung and wheelchair. But Roberts was not one to be turned away quickly. He insisted on taking the classes and became the first student at the University to use a wheelchair and the first student with a severe disability to attend the University of California.During his undergraduate studies, Roberts created the <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.kalw.org/news/2017-04-05/berkeley-disability-activists-took-cues-from-the-civil-rights-era-and-sparked-a-national-movement">Rolling Quads group</a>. Essentially, it was a group of students who had disabilities like him, and they moved into the dorms together. They created a club and focused on building more pressure on UC Berkeley to make the dorms and classrooms more accessible for students with disabilities. The club grew into the Physically Disabled Students Program. It quickly became the first college organization in the country to support the needs of students with disabilities.&nbsp;Upon seeing the success of the program, it inspired Roberts to create a community program in Berkeley that helped people with disabilities live as independently as possible. This advocacy group was founded in 1972 and became the first Center for Independent Living. It encouraged people with disabilities to live independently and fought for changes that would make it easy for people with disabilities to access community life.&nbsp;The advocacy group's first success was persuading the city of Berkeley to install curb cuts that also accommodated wheelchair access. Later in 1975, Roberts was appointed as the head of California's State Department of Rehabilitation, where he served as the director until 1983. During his tenure, Edward joined forces with other activists, including the infamous Judith Hueumann as well as Joan Leon.Together, they founded the World Institute on Disability. It soon became an internationally known non-profit organization that worked thoroughly to integrate people living with disabilities into their immediate communities through policies, research, and consulting efforts. On top of that, Roberts traveled the world and raised awareness of the Independent Living Philosophy. Ed Roberts was a force and fought a good fight for the disability community, which taught other disability activists that they could shape federal rulings in their favor. This would later pave the way for the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.&nbsp;Roberts passed on at 56 from cardiac arrest on March 14, 1995. Later, hundreds of centers worldwide were based on his original model. Also, the Centers for Independent Living established a National Council of Independent Living, which holds meetings every summer in Washington, DC. Since his passing, the state of California memorializes Ed Roberts with a holiday in his honor. Ed Roberts Day is on the 23rd of every January.&nbsp;Interview: <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://youtu.be/ZxidR5SZXxA">Disability Activist Ed Roberts on "60 Minutes" with Harry Reasoner</a>Find Your Local Center for Independent Living: <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory">Here</a>

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This captivating piece is all about the incredible Edward Verne Roberts, the exemplary trailblazer and the father of the Independent Living Movement.

Edward Roberts - The Father of the Independent Living Movement 

Disability rights activist Frieda Zames played a key role in getting New York City's businesses, agencies, and transportation boards to make their infrastructures accessible to people with disabilities. Frieda was adamant that society would not disregard the needs of individuals like herself who required lifts, ramps, and other specialized equipment in order to access public amenities and lead regular lives.Frieda was born in Brooklyn on October 29, 1932. She suffered from polio at a young age, which left her disabled and required her to spend years in the hospital. Consequently, she was forced to rely on clutches for the rest of her life, and later in life, used a mobility scooter. Also, she wasn't fortunate to be placed in the school system's program for students with physical disabilities because she spent a lot of her formative years in a hospital. Therefore, Zames was primarily self-taught.&nbsp;After her many efforts to obtain a formal education, she was able to earn an undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College. She was even inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Her tenacious mother was a constant source of encouragement for her. Her mother would bring Frieda's books to school and sit in her classes with her until she finished her undergraduate studies at Brooklyn College.Soon after earning her college degree, Frieda took on the role of primary provider for her family. She worked as an actuary at MetLife until she had saved enough money to pay for her subsequent education at New York University. Her perseverance did not go unnoticed. She graduated from New York University with a doctorate in mathematics in 1965.Frieda was employed by the New Jersey Technology Institute in Newark in 1966. From 1966 until 1993, she taught a variety of classes there, from remedial to graduate-level classes. In 2000, she took an early retirement and was given the title of associate professor of Mathematics Emeritus.When Frieda joined Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York in the middle of the 1970s, she began to take steps towards political action. She even exchanged her clutches for a mobility scooter so she could easily protest while moving around. She participated in her first protests in the middle of the 1970s when she surrounded an M14 bus on Third Street and Avenue A with a group of paraplegics from Disabled in Action to voice their opposition to the lack of accessible buses for the disabled community.This marked the start of a 20-year battle that resulted in the installation of wheelchair lifts on all MTA buses. Later, Zames was chosen to be the president of Disabled in Action (DIA), a position she held for the next thirty years on several occasions. She also held the position of the company's first vice president during the time of her passing on June 16, 2005.&nbsp;The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, which supported their bus protest. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, giving disability activists a much more potent tool to fight for their rights.The Empire State Building was sued by Zames the day after the Americans with Disabilities Act went into effect, requiring them to improve accessibility to their building. Eventually, some changes were accepted, such as lowered elevator control panels, automatic doors, and observation deck periscopes with King Kong-shaped handles.Following the significant accomplishments that Freida was able to make, Anne Emerman, a fellow DIA member, claimed that Frieda understood that no one follows the law voluntarily. Additionally, Frieda launched the One-Step campaign, which compelled nearby companies to construct entry ramps for their structures. She began by visiting some of her favorite pastry shops in the area.Thanks to the One-Step campaign, over 350 businesses were ultimately compelled to comply. Zames might have been under five feet tall, but her voice was strong and she had a way of getting people to pay attention and listen when she spoke. Additionally, Frieda took part in a campaign to make the school where she worked wheelchair accessible.Indeed, Frieda was instrumental in making sure that taxis, subways, and other forms of transportation were easily accessible. She also co-authored <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.amazon.com/Disability-Rights-Movement-Charity-Confrontation/dp/1439907447">The Disability Rights Movement, From Charity to Confrontation </a>with her sister Zoris Zames. This historical overview is currently used as a textbook for disability rights.Interview Link: <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://youtu.be/0P8IqWVsexM">American Disability Act w/ Dr's Doris and Frieda Zames on The Woman's Connection</a>

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Frieda Zames was a disability rights activist, author, and mathematician who championed for accessibility rights throughout her life.

Frieda Zames: New York City disability activist pioneer and mathematician. 

Alice Wong is a writer and Chinese-American disability activist. She is also the founder and director of <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/">The Disability Visibility Project</a>, a tight-knit online community that supports and promotes the disability media and culture. Her work is centered around ensuring people with disabilities get equal access and inclusivity regardless of their backgrounds.Alice Wong was born in 1974 in Indianapolis after her parents emigrated to the United States from Hong Kong. She was born with spinal muscular atrophy, which causes the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain to die progressively. Due to the progressive weakness of body muscles, Wong stopped walking at just eight years old. She now relies on a motorized wheelchair and an assistive ventilator machine.Growing up, Wong faced many challenges as she felt that she stood out in undesirable ways among her peers. She was the only physically disabled student in her class and, on top of that, one of the few Asian-American learners. For that reason, she largely struggled with internalized racism and a strong urge to want to blend in with her peers.Luckily, in her twenties, Wong drew away from that mentality, and instead of trying to fit in, she devoted her life to fighting for access and visibility on her own terms. Wong attended Indiana University in Indianapolis, where she explored disability history and scholarship. She learned about the independent living movement in Berkley, California. Also, she was exposed to the work of Paul Longmore, a disabled activist, and historian.Following Longmore's advice, a San Francisco State University professor, Wong moved to the West Coast and enrolled in a graduate school where she earned a Master's Degree in Medical Sociology. As a graduate student, she chaired the Disability Interest Group, an organization that sought more participation with people with disabilities in all aspects of the University.After graduation, Alice Wong worked as a Staff Research Associate at the University of California, San Francisco, for over ten years. At the time, her career in disability advocacy grew simultaneously. She participated in qualitative research projects and co-authored the digital curricula of USFC's Community Living Policy Center. Further, Wong extended her research to personal care services for those with disabilities in the larger community.Wong served as Vice Chair of the UCSF Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Disability issues. Also, she served on the San Francisco In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority boards and Asian and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California. While in the position, Wong advocated for UCSF's professional schools to include a disability-related curriculum in their cultural competency courses.Moreover, she spearheaded UCSF's Access- a website describing the accessible features of all significant campus buildings. While at it, Wong fought for other accommodations on Campus for students with disabilities. That included wheelchair-accessible buttons on the elevators and text telephones for deaf learners.Later, in 2013, President Obama appointed Alice Wong to the National Council on Disability, where she served until 2015. This independent federal agency advises the US government on programs, practices, and policies that influence the quality of living for people with disabilities. In 2014, Alice Wong started the Disability Visibility Project. It all started as a partnership with Story Corps in the early days. It gave people with disabilities an opportunity to record their own oral histories.Later, this grew into an online community that documents and amplifies disability media and culture. Growing up, Wong never felt represented in the popular culture as an Asian-American girl with a disability. She wanted to use the Disability Visibility Project to help others tell their stories without the media filtering things out. She hoped that would be empowering for the disabled community.Besides that, Alice Wong has partnered with other disability access projects:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="" href="http://Disabledwritees.com">Disabledwritees.com</a>- this is a website whose main aim is to connect editors with disabled writers and journalists</li><li>The #CripLit- although it's no longer active, it was a series of Twitter discussions with Nicola Griffith</li><li>The #CriptheVote- this is a non-partisan hashtag that has promoted political participation among people with disabilities</li><li>Access in Love- this campaign frames disabilities as an act of Love rather than a burden</li></ul>On top of that, Wong is a board member of 18 million Rising. This advocacy group promoted civic engagement for Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans. Wong has published numerous writings on disability issued by multiple media outlets countrywide. Also, she has participated in editing two anthologies featuring essays by people with disabilities. She expects to publish her Year of the Tiger memoir in 2022.Wong was named one of 16 notable people fighting for equality in America by Time in 2020. She was featured on the September cover of British Vogue under the theme "The Faces of Hope." Wong was named a Disability Futures Fellow by the Ford Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.Wong has received several honors for her advocacy work, including:<ul><li>The Martin Luther King, Jr. Award (2007)</li><li>The Chancellor's Disability Service Award (2011) from UCSF</li><li>The Beacon Award from the San Francisco Mayor's Disability Council (2010)</li><li>The Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award (2016) from the American Association of People with Disabilities for her work with the Disability Visibility Project</li><li>The Indiana University Bicentennial Medal (2020)</li></ul>Wong's work as an activist and writer allows her to continue her intersectional advocacy for the disabled and Asian American communities.

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Alice Wong is a disability activists, whose national impact through policy, media, and literature has galvanized communities and government to shape a more inclusive environment. 

A review of the incredible life of Alice Wong

Healthcare in the United States is still transforming. As medical innovations accelerate, policymakers, on the other hand, are seeking modern approaches to healthcare policy. Over time, people with disabilities haven't always had a voice in the health care debate. Consequently, society hasn't provided services and support people with disabilities need to live well, work, and participate in our communities.People with disabilities have experienced numerous challenges in America for decades, but hero like Bob Casey have stood out for speaking for the community. Robert Patrick Casey Jr. is a politician and attorney and has served as the United States Senator of Pennsylvania since 2007. Senator Casey is a member of multiple Senate committees, including Finance, Health, Labor, Education, Pensions, Nutrition, Agriculture, Forestry, the Joint Economic Committee, and the Special Committee on Aging.Bob Casey was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1982, he graduated from The College of the Holy Cross. Casey spent the majority of the following years teaching fifth-grade students while at the same time coaching basketballers from the eighth grade at Jesuit Volunteer Corps located in inner-city Philadelphia. Later in 1988, Casey graduated from Catholic University, and immediately after, he started practicing his law career in Scranton.Back in 2007, when Bob Casey got elected to the US Senate, a good percentage of the nation either lacked proper health insurance or insurance companies available at the time would discriminate against patients with pre-existing health conditions. Those were dark days when the health care system paid for the healthcare provided instead of the quality. But thankfully, as a nation, we've seen a lot of transformation over the years.In 2010, Bob Casey supported ACA- the Affordable Care ACT with its four goals: independent living, equal opportunity, full participation, and economic self-sufficiency. This has been one of the most transformational things for people with disabilities. It ensures people with disabilities are fairly treated when seeking health insurance and that the companies don't discriminate against anyone with existing conditions. This was a pivotal moment as ACA laid a strong foundation for reforms that ensure the provision of quality healthcareOn top of that, Bob Casey was also the primary Senate Author of Stephen Beck's A Better Life Experience ACT in 2014. This was another crucial moment as this ACT makes it possible for people with disabilities before age 26 to save up to $15,000 yearly and $100,000 without losing their federal disability benefits. Since the ACT was passed, states across the US have created ABLE account programs where people with disabilities can save up for their small business capital, education, home mortgage, or even a car. Later in 2017, Casey introduced an ABLE ACT amendment ABLE Financial Planning ACT, allowing people with disabilities with 529 savings accounts to roll over the funds into their ABLE Account. Further, an ABLE Age Adjustment Act expanded ABLE eligibility to people who are 46 years old.Notably, Casey is also a co-sponsor of the Disability Integration ACT. This reform ensures people with disabilities have the necessary support to live in settings and communities of choice. The 1965 Security Amendment that created the Medicaid program provides that people with disabilities who need long-term services are well supported. Unfortunately, while the Amendment guaranteed institutional care, it didn't guarantee community-based support. But since the Disability Integration Act was passed, it has allowed people with disabilities equal access to community-based services, support, and opportunities.In addition, Casey is the author of POWADA (Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act). When workers age and start developing disabilities, they can experience unfair treatment and discrimination from employers. While we must be keen on the rights of all disabled workers, extra emphasis must be put on the rights of older employees. That's because they often have a harder time getting hired or retaining their jobs. Luckily, POWADA protects older workers with disabilities from being discriminated against by their employers.Bob was also the primary sponsor of and worked to pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in 2014. (WIOA). This law focuses on young people with disabilities, providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to transition from school to the workforce. The law focuses on gaining work experience for young people with disabilities through internships, part-time work, summer jobs, and volunteer opportunities. He was also the primary author of the Higher Education Mental Health Act. This bill would establish a set of best practices to assist students with mental health disabilities to continue their education while receiving the necessary support.&nbsp;In 2017 and 2018, he spent much of his time protecting the access to Medicaid for people with disabilities and their families. Casey says that, along with many of his colleagues, he will continue fighting for Medicaid access so that people living with disabilities continue to receive high-quality health care allowing them to work and live in their communities. Bob Casey has undoubtedly fought hard for the disability community. Throughout this Congressional session, he has introduced or co-sponsored several bills that will make it easier for people with disabilities to gain access to everything they need to work competitive jobs and live in their communities.

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Senator Bob Casey is a disability activist in the United States, leading change from his Senator position he’s had for nearly three decades. Advocating for fair treatment, access, and inclusion among populations, Senator Casey has stewarded policy changes that allows persons with disabilities more financial security and independence with the ABLE account.

A review of the incredible life of Bob Casey

Ola Abu Alghaib is a disability rights activist in the Middle East. She focuses on ensuring that women with disabilities are fully integrated into society. Ola was born in Palestine in an area close to Nablus. Growing up, Ola Abu had big dreams and goals like any other child. Unfortunately, at only the age of 14, she had surgery, but after the procedure, she couldn’t move her right hand or walk.While this was very devastating, but Ola says that the experience never changed who she was at heart and what she dreamed of achieving in her life. Unfortunately, it didn't take long to realize that almost everyone around her perceived her differently after the accident. So many folks around her couldn't see her live a normal life, perceived her as broken, and saw her only option in life as surviving.Ola wanted to prove all these people wrong and strived to be an ambitious and determined woman. During her years in college, Ola Alghaib advocated for her right to an accessible campus. Her voice and efforts earned her a seat on the construction committee on her campus. Therefore, the university administration tasked her with collaborating with the University construction engineers to adapt the campus to the needs of disabled students.After the completion of her first degree, she came across a certain German Organization that advocated for the disabled in the society. Through this German organization, Ola was able to start a rehabilitation center for disabled people. However, throughout the eight years she worked at the organization, she could see she was the only woman. Eventually, she felt that women with disabilities were not getting equal opportunities and decided to air her concerns. Unfortunately, no one cared about her concerns.Later in 2003, Ola earned her Master's Degree from the University in Ramallah. Fast forward to 2006, she finally decided to start the Stars of Hope Society. Het main aim was to foster the abolishment of gender and disability discrimination. This is an organization whose main aim was to address the needs of women with disabilities as well as support these women to realize their rights in society and achieve their goals.Currently, Ola Abu Alghaib works as the Director of Global Influencing and Research at Leonard Cheshire. This organization supports people with disabilities to achieve their goals and life their lives to the maximum. Her current responsibilities at this organization include program design, policy analysis, evaluation and management, research, and the creation of advocacy strategies.She has done most of her research with UN agencies like ILO, WHO, UNESCO, NGOs, and UNICEF, among others. Also, part of her research is with the World Bank and other agencies that support people with disabilities. In addition, Ola Abu's work has included advocacy for the government to adopt the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It's impressive how Ola has also pulled her efforts to mobilize women with disabilities in Palestine, providing them with necessary counseling, skills, medical, and rehabilitation services.In line with that, Ola developed a national advocacy campaign highlighting the forms of discrimination women with disabilities go through. At the same time, the advocacy strives to showcase just how much potential these women have, but it hasn't been realized due to their oppression. Ola has, over the years, voiced her concern that feminist movements also forget women with disabilities in most cases since disability issues make it even more complex for women's rights advocacy. She encourages women with disabilities to demand to be heard and ensure disability gets attention just like other issues.Significantly, Ola Abu Alghaib has also held crucial roles in various policy initiatives supporting women with disabilities. For instance, she has chaired the International Disability and Development Consortium. On top of that, she represents IDD on the policy board of UNPRPD (United Nations Partnership for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). Notably, Ola is also a member of the Global Innovation Hub, a board member of the Disability Rights Fund, and a core group member of the Together 2030 agenda.Ola Abu Alghaib was appointed Manager of the Technical Secretariat of the UN partnership of Persons with Disabilities at UNDP in August 2019. Also, shortly after her appointment, she was named to the Gender Equality Top 100 List of the most influential people. Ola embodies the meaning of the word activist throughout her life and work. Her job primarily fights for the rights of people who are underrepresented or ignored by society

thumbnail_ola alghaib header image.jpg

ola alghaib header image.jpg

Palestinian Ola Abu Alghaib challenged the status quo of the place persons with disabilities resided in the world. Through her international research into discrimination practices and social cultures, Ola Abu Alghaib breaks down policy barriers in countries to grow equality across its citizens. 

Ola Abu Alghaib, disability rights activist striving for power equality 

Fatima Al-Aqel is a historical activist for people with disabilities. She was one of the bravest Yemen women in history who managed to break all barriers and challenge their disability. Throughout her life, Fatima directed most of her efforts toward advocating for women with sight disabilities in Yemen. In fact, Raja Al-Masabi, the President of the Arab Association for Human Rights, noted that Fatima's work had been educating many women with visual impairment in Yemen.Regardless of her challenges, Fatima remained determined to shape her destiny. This is one of her most admirable traits. She strived to bring change and make a difference in society, especially for other women who had a similar disability as her. And while working as the chairperson of the Amaan Foundation of the blind female's care, she diligently worked for over a decade promoting the rights of girls with sight disabilities. Fatima saw to it that these girls were given equal chances in all aspects of life.Fatima Al-Aqel was born in 1957 in Yemen and passed on January 12, 2012, at 55. She lost her sight back when she was studying at Cairo University. Life changed a lot after her new disability, but that didn't stand in the way of finishing her degree. Fatima is a well-educated woman who graduated with a bachelor's degree in arts and a diploma in Islamic studies. Later in 1995, Fatima opened the first school for the blind in Yemen. This was one of her first foundations in Yemen- Amaan Foundation for blind female's care which focused on fostering girls with sight disabilities.Yemen has always been known to have a high rate of eye diseases and blindness. Many of these diseases are curable, but the unfortunate part is that most Yemenis are not able to afford the treatment. In some cases, Yemenis receive poor medical advice, often leading to blindness. By 2012, it was approximated that there were 76,000 blind Yemenis on average. On top of that, people with disabilities in Yemen face a significant barrier to education and access to public services. Al-Aqel's wish was to make way for women with disabilities to become active members of society, find work and pursue their education further.The foundation had such a humble beginning and started by fostering five girls. But as time passed, Amaan Foundation could foster up to 800 girls across Yemen. The foundation focused its efforts on ensuring blind girls are integrated into all levels of life, workplaces, schools and universities. Amaan worked tirelessly to ensure that every blind girl in the foundation received complete and comprehensive care. It made an ongoing effort to provide the best care and tender attention to all of the girls.The main theme of the Amaan Foundation was that a girl didn't lose all her senses simply because she lost her eyesight. For that reason, she must not be denied her fundamental rights, such as the right to a decent education. That's why Amaan Foundation collaborated with other foundations that support young women with visual disabilities. Amaan collaborated closely with the Education Ministry and other foundations for blind girls to ensure that every blind girl had access to educational resources and services regardless of her circumstances.While the foundation's objective seemed pretty straightforward, it came with many challenges. The foundation's primary goals included protecting girls with sight disabilities from all forms of exploitation and advocating for the rights of blind girls. Therefore, the foundation carried out projects and programs to help girls with sight impairments integrate into society. Amaan's additional goals included stepping up efforts to support more services for girls with sight impairments and increasing societal awareness of the rights of blind women.Al-Aqel began a mutual cooperation agreement between AOBWC and the British Cultural Council in 2001. In 2012, Al-Aqel received the Balqis Award, a $20,000 prize given annually to recognize the contributions of Yemeni women's groups. Al-Aqel was also honored in 2013 at the third annual "Festival of the Blind" in Sana'a for her work with AOBWC in creating a "more compassionate and considerate world for the blind." Al-Aqel and her accomplishments truly exemplified how nothing was impossible. Compared to their humble beginnings, the foundation's current status is a shining example of how determination can lead to success.

thumbnail_fatima al aqel header image.jpg

fatima al aqel header image.jpg

Fatima-al-Aqel is a disability activist in Yemen. Throughout her life, Fatima directed most of her efforts toward advocating for women with sight disabilities in Yemen.

Accessibility pioneers

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