List of disability rights activists

A disability-rights activist or disability-rights advocate is someone who works towards the equality of people with disabilities. Such a person is generally considered a member of the disability-rights movement and/or the independent-living movement.

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A

Javed Abidi – director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) in India{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Demand-made-for-legal-recognition-of-sign-language/Article1-634161.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126011941/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Demand-made-for-legal-recognition-of-sign-language/Article1-634161.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 January 2013 |title=Demand made for legal recognition of sign language |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=4 December 2010 |accessdate=25 February 2013 }}
Abia Akram – disability rights activist from Pakistan; founder of the National Forum of Women with Disabilities in Pakistan; prominent figure in the disability rights movement in the country, as well as in Asia and the Pacific; named one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2021
Ola Abu Alghaib – disability activist from Palestine, focusses on inclusion, gender and disability rights
Hiljmnijeta Apuk – founding director of the Little People of Kosovo
Fatima al-Aqel – opened a school for blind women in Yemen in 1995{{Cite web|url = http://yemen.usembassy.gov/iwds.html|title = Speech in Honor of International Women's Day|date = 8 March 2010|accessdate = 6 August 2015|website = Embassy of the United States – Yemen|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150405221742/http://yemen.usembassy.gov/iwds.html|archive-date = 5 April 2015}}

B

Mel Baggs – autism rights activist and blogger{{Cite news|last=Wolman|first=David|date=2 February 2008|title=The Truth About Autism: Scientists Reconsider What They Think They Know|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/2008/02/ff-autism/|access-date=8 May 2020|issn=1059-1028}}
Safiya al Bahlani – Omani artist, graphic designer, disability rights activist, and motivational speaker
Jamala al-Baidhani – created the Al-Tahadi Association for Disabled Females, the first group in Yemen devoted to helping girls with disabilities{{Cite web|url = http://yemen.usembassy.gov/iwds.html|title = Speech in Honor of International Women's Day|date = 8 March 2010|accessdate = 4 August 2015|website = Embassy of the United States in Sana'a Yemen|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150405221742/http://yemen.usembassy.gov/iwds.html|archive-date = 5 April 2015}}
Julia Bascom – autism rights activist and executive director of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network{{Cite web|url=https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/staff/|title=Staff|last=Network|first=Autistic Self Advocacy|website=Autistic Self Advocacy Network|date=20 February 2012|language=en-us|access-date=13 March 2020}}
Andrew Batavia – ADA regulations drafter, co-founder of AUTONOMY, Inc.DeJong Gerben Obituary: Andrew I Batavia The Lancet 1 November 2003, 1505{{cite web|url=http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/thornburgh/dtVideoPlayer?id=dtv182 |title=The Americans with Disability Act Program 26 July 1991 {{!}} US Department of Justice Dick Thornburgh Papers|website=digital.library.pitt.edu}}Goodman Kenneth The Case of Terri Schiavo: Ethics, Politics, and Death in the 21st Century Oxford University Press, 2010, p 181
Giselle Bellas – Cuban-American singer-songwriter; Alzheimer's disease advocate{{Cite web|url=https://www.univision.com/local/nueva-york-wxtv/giselle-bellas-apoya-la-caminata-para-recaudar-fondos-contra-la-enfermedad-de-alzheimer-en-nueva-jersey|title=Giselle Bellas apoya la caminata para recaudar fondos contra la enfermedad de Alzheimer en Nueva Jersey|last=Univision|website=Univision|language=es|access-date=26 August 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2017/10/hundreds_walk_at_liberty_state_park_to_fight_alzhe.html|title=Hundreds walk at Liberty State Park to fight Alzheimer's (PHOTOS)|last=Jersey|first=The|date=2 October 2017|website=nj.com|language=en-US|access-date=26 August 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://pancakesandwhiskey.com/2016/11/04/video-premiere-giselle-hazy-eyes/|title=VIDEO PREMIERE: GISELLE'S 'HAZY EYES' SPEAKS TO THE STRUGGLE OF ALZHEIMER'S|date=4 November 2016|website=Pancakes And Whiskey|language=en-US|access-date=26 August 2019}}
Sister Sponsa Beltran – worked with children and people with disabilities in Liberia{{Cite web|date=14 April 2016|title=Sister M. Sponsa Beltran, OSF, missionary to Liberia, dies|url=https://georgiabulletin.org/news/2016/04/sister-m-sponsa-beltran-osf-missionary-liberia-dies/|access-date=7 July 2020|website=Georgia Bulletin|language=en-US}}
Dana Bolles – spaceflight engineer and advocate for those with disabilities in STEM
Tiffany Brar – founder of Jyothirgamaya Foundation, a not for profit NGO for visually impaired
Gabriela Brimmer – had cerebral palsy; life chronicled in the American-Mexican drama film Gaby: A True Story (1987), directed by Luis Mandoki{{cite news|author=Janet Maslin |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2DA1F38F933A05753C1A961948260 |title=Film: 'Gaby,' Story of Determination |work=New York Times |date=3 October 1987|accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Marca Bristo – cofounded the (American) National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) with Max Starkloff and Charlie Carr
Lydia Brown – autism advocate and writer
Sheletta Brundidge – children's author and autism advocate{{cite web |url=https://woodburymag.com/sheletta-brundidges-journey-autism-advocate-author |title=Sheletta Brundidge's Journey From Autism Advocate to Author |date=August 2020 |last=Kopiecki |first=Madeline |website=Woodbury Magazine |access-date=17 September 2022}}

C

Jane Campbell, Baroness Campbell of Surbiton – commissioner of the British Disability Rights Commission{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/11/lady-campbell-disability-peer|title=Dea Birkett meets Jane Campbell, a life peer with spinal muscular atrophy | Society|date=1 July 2009|work=The Guardian|location=London|author=Dea Birkett|accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Charlie Carr – cofounder of National Council on Independent Living, Boston Center for Independent Living and founder and CEO of The Northeast Independent Living Program in Lawrence, Massachusetts; went on to become Commissioner of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission under Governor Deval Patrick{{cite web|url=http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/collections/drilm/collection/items/carr.html|title=Charles Carr|last1=Carr|first1=Charles|website=The Disability Rights And Independent Living Movement|accessdate=8 September 2015}}
Liz Carr – British actress, comedian, broadcaster and international disability rights activist
Bob Casey, Jr. – United States Senator from Pennsylvania, widely recognized as a leading advocate for people with disabilities expansion of Medicaid home and community-based services{{Cite web|date=2018-11-07|title=Disability Advocate Bob Casey Keeps Pennsylvania Seat in U.S. Senate|url=https://therespectabilityreport.org.dream.website/2018/11/06/casey-wins/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=The RespectAbility Report|language=en-US}}
Mama Cax – American-Haitian model and disabled rights activist
Judi Chamberlin – American activist, leader, organizer, public speaker and educator in the psychiatric survivors movement; her political activism followed her involuntary confinement in a psychiatric facility in the 1960s;{{cite news|last=Hevesi, Denis|title=Judi Chamberlin, 65, Advocate for Mental Health Patients|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/us/31chamberlin.html|accessdate= 1 March 2011|work = The New York Times |date=30 January 2010}}{{cite web| publisher=Madness Radio|title=Interview: Judi Chamberlin Interviewed by Will Hall and Cheryl Alexander|url=http://www.madnessradio.net/madness-radio-judi-chamberlin-psychiatric-survivor-movement|accessdate= 3 March 2011|format= video; requires Adobe Flash Player|date=8 February 2006}} author of On Our Own: Patient-Controlled Alternatives to the Mental Health System, a foundational text in the Mad Pride movement{{cite news|last=Lawrence|first=J.M.|title=Judi Chamberlin, Writings Took on Mental Health Care|url=https://www.boston.com/yourtown/arlington/articles/2010/01/20/judi_chamberlin_writings_took_on_mental_health_care/?page=full|accessdate=4 March 2011|work = The Boston Globe|date= 20 January 2010}}
James I. Charlton – activist and author of Nothing About Us Without Us
María Soledad Cisternas – Chilean disability rights activist, member of the committee that drafted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and served as the chairperson on the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;{{Cite web|title=Entrevista a María Soledad Cisternas: Abrir los ojos|url=http://derecho.uc.cl/en/noticias/derecho-uc-en-los-medios/15031-entrevista-a-maria-soledad-cisternas-abrir-los-ojos|access-date=31 July 2020|website=Facultad de Derecho UC|language=es}}{{Cite web|title=Maria Soledad Cisternas|url=https://www.durban2019.uclg.org/en/uclg-leadership/maria-soledad-cisternas|access-date=31 July 2020|website=Durban 2019}} in 2017, was appointed the Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility for the United Nations{{Cite web|date=2 June 2017|title=Ms. María Soledad Cisternas Reyes of Chile – Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility|url=https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/personnel-appointments/2017-06-20/ms-mar%C3%ADa-soledad-cisternas-reyes-chile-special-envoy|access-date=31 July 2020|website=United Nations Secretary-General|language=en}}
Claudia Cockburn – British activist for transportation accessibility{{cite news|author=Stephen Bradshaw |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-claudia-flanders-1173922.html |title=Obituary: Claudia Flanders – Arts & Entertainment |work=The Independent |date=2 August 1998|accessdate=25 February 2013 |location=London}}
Tony Coelho – former congressman from California, primary author and U.S. House sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act{{cite web |url=http://www.improvepatientcare.org/meet-tony-coelho |title=Meet Tony Coelho | Partnership to Improve Patient Care |publisher=Improvepatientcare.org |accessdate=25 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425142554/http://www.improvepatientcare.org/meet-tony-coelho |archive-date=25 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}
Rebecca Cokley – Executive Director of the National Council on Disability{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/2013/041613|title=NCD Welcomes Rebecca Cokley as Executive Director {{!}} NCD.gov|website=www.ncd.gov|date=12 March 2015|access-date=28 May 2016}}
Kitty Cone – disability rights activist and staff member of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
Lois Curtis – American activist and the lead plaintiff in a U.S. Supreme Court case about unjustified segregation of people with disabilities in healthcare institutions

D

Andrea Dalzell – American nurse and disability rights activist
Paul Darke – British academic and international disability rights activist
Justin Whitlock Dart Jr. – co-founder of the American Association of People with Disabilities{{cite book|last=Switzer|first=Jacqueline Vaughn|title=Disabled rights : American disability policy and the fight for equality|year=2003|publisher=Georgetown University Press|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=978-0878408986|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/disable_swi_2003_00_3245}}
Nyle DiMarco – activist and spokesperson for LEAD-K, 'Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids' campaign for American Sign Language and English in education setting
Rich Donovan – economist and founder of the Return On Disability Index
Theresa Ducharme – founder of the disabled-rights advocacy group People in Equal Participation Inc. in 1981; the organization's chair for many years thereafter"Disabled Want Their Say at Appeal", Winnipeg Free Press. 3 January 1995.
April Dunn – helped pass Act 833 in Louisiana which helped provide alternatives to graduation for students who cannot pass the standardized tests{{Cite news|last=Hawkins|first=Derek|date=18 April 2020|title=Denied a Diploma, April Dunn Made Sure Other Students with Disabilities had Options. She Died of COVID-19.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/04/18/denied-diploma-april-dunn-made-sure-other-students-with-disabilities-had-options-she-died-covid-19/|access-date=19 July 2020|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en}}

E

Anne Emerman – director of the New York City Mayor's Office for Disabilities (MOPD) during the administration of David Dinkins{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/22/nyregion/anne-emerman-dead.html|title = Anne Emerman, Champion of Disability Rights, Dies at 84|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 22 December 2021|last1 = Seelye|first1 = Katharine Q.}}
Dominick Evans – filmmaker, activist, founder of #FilmDis; Media & Entertainment advocate for Center for Disability Rights in New York{{Cite web|url=http://www.self.com/trending/2016/05/why-some-disability-rights-activists-are-protesting-me-before-you/|title=Why Some Disability Rights Activists Are Protesting 'Me Before You' – SELF|website=SELF|date=26 May 2016|language=en-US|access-date=28 May 2016}}
Edward Evans – Chairman of the UK Ministry of Health Health Advisory Committee on Handicapped Persons 1949–1960{{cite book|title=Who's who of British Members of Parliament.|year=1981|publisher=Harvester|location=[S.l.]|isbn=0-85527-335-6|page=111|last=Lees|first=Stephen|editor-last=Stenton|editor-first=Michael}}

F

Fred Fay – American advocate for disabled persons{{cite news |url=http://articles.boston.com/2011-09-09/bostonglobe/30136052_1_americans-with-disabilities-act-concord-home-spinal-cord |title=Dr. Fred Fay; helped change society's views on disability – The Boston Globe |publisher=Articles.boston.com |date=9 September 2011 |accessdate=25 February 2013 |first=Bryan |last=Marquard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516082149/http://articles.boston.com/2011-09-09/bostonglobe/30136052_1_americans-with-disabilities-act-concord-home-spinal-cord |archive-date=16 May 2012 }}
Chai Feldblum – lead attorney on legal team that drafted the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990{{cite web|url=http://www.law.georgetown.edu/clinics/flc/staff.html |title=Georgetown Law, Clinical Faculty and Staff: Chai R. Feldblum|publisher=Georgetown University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014143112/https://www.law.georgetown.edu/clinics/flc/staff.html|archive-date=October 14, 2011 |access-date=2016-11-12}}[http://lawdork.net/2009/09/14/obama-nominates-chai-feldblum-lgbt-equality-scholar-to-eeoc-post/ Obama Nominates Chai Feldblum, LGBT/Equality Scholar, to EEOC Post] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017095010/http://lawdork.net/2009/09/14/obama-nominates-chai-feldblum-lgbt-equality-scholar-to-eeoc-post/ |date=2009-10-17 }}, September 14, 2009. Accessed October 11, 2009.
Julie Fernandez – actress with osteogenesis imperfecta; founded The Disability Foundation;{{cite web |url=http://www.tdf.org.uk/about/julie-fernandez.htm |title=Founder Julie Fernandez | The Disability Foundation |publisher=Tdf.org.uk |accessdate=25 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523183551/http://www.tdf.org.uk/about/julie-fernandez.htm |archive-date=23 May 2013 }} active in presentation of disabled people{{cite news|last=Rozenberg |first=Joshua |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1471307/Land-of-the-free-for-wheelchairs.html |title=Land of the free for wheelchairs |publisher=Telegraph |date=9 September 2004 |accessdate=25 February 2013 |location=London}}{{cite news|author=Geoff Adams-Spink |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4490063.stm |title=UK | Disabled feel 'sexually excluded' |publisher=BBC News |date=2 April 2005|accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Vic Finkelstein – South African born activist and academic, pioneer of the social model of disability
Catherine Frazee – co-director of Ryerson University's Institute for Disability Studies Research and Education{{cite web|url=http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/October2007/04/c8571.html |title=Ryerson University | Employees with disabilities are expert learners: Ryerson study |publisher=Cnw.ca |accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Lex Frieden – Chairman of the National Council on Disability 2002–2006; key developer of the Americans with Disabilities Act{{cite web|url=http://www.lexfrieden.com/ |title=lexfrieden.com |publisher=lexfrieden.com |accessdate=25 July 2012}}
Judy Fryd – founded group in 1946 for parents of children with a learning disability; the group later became Mencap{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1371367/Judy-Fryd.html |title=Judy Fryd |publisher=Telegraph |date=2 October 2000|accessdate=25 February 2013 |location=London}}

G

Haben Girma – first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School
Marilyn Golden – disability transportation activist
Miro Griffiths – disabled academic and activist
Chen Guangcheng – Chinese civil rights activist{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/03/18/the-barefoot-lawyer-qa-with-blind-chinese-activist-chen-guangcheng/|title='The Barefoot Lawyer': Q&A With Blind Chinese Activist Chen Guangcheng|last=Chin|first=Josh|date=1 March 2015|website=WSJ|language=en-US|access-date=26 August 2019}}

H

Rick Hansen – former Canadian Paralympian; raised $20 million for spinal cord research, rehabilitation and wheelchair sports by travelling by wheelchair through 34 countries{{cite web |url=https://www.rickhansen.com/Portals/2/Documents/RHBio_IntSec.pdf| title=Rick Hansen pdf (requires adobe)}}
Laura Hershey – protested MDA Labor Day Telethon; a feminist born with a form of muscular dystrophy{{cite news|last=Ingold |first=John |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16726649 |title=Laura Hershey, 48, championed disability rights |publisher=The Denver Post |date= 2 November 2010|accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Judith Heumann – wheelchair user who co-founded the World Institute on Disability; served as its co-director 1983–1993; became the Special Advisor for International Disability Rights at the U.S. Department of State{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/144458.htm |title=Heumann, Judith E |publisher=State.gov |date=1 July 2010|accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Paul Hunt (activist) - was an early disability rights activist and leader of disabled people's campaigns in the UK against residential institutions and for independent living. Edited a seminal volume on disability, [https://archive.org/details/stigmaexperience0000unse Stigma: The Experience of Disability].

I

Tonya Ingram – brought awareness through her writing to subjects such as chronic illness, organ donation, Lupus, kidney failure, the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on disabled people, mental illness, suicide, depression, and disability rights{{Cite web |title=Opinion {{!}} Organ donations get wasted every year. That's killing people like me. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/organ-donations-get-wasted-every-year-s-killing-people-me-ncna1213401 |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=NBC News |date=25 May 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Ingram |first1=Tonya |last2=Reid |first2=Angelo |last3=Bein |first3=Melissa |last4=Bertrand |first4=Maddi |last5=Ciesemier |first5=Kendall |date=2019-06-11 |title=Opinion {{!}} 11,000 Americans Will Die Waiting for Transplants This Year |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/11/opinion/organ-transplant-deaths.html |access-date=2023-01-22 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Citation |title=Tonya Ingram, Alyesha Wise and Ki NG - "Suicide" {{!}} All Def Poetry x Da Poetry Lounge | date=24 August 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_t0lw42XAQ |language=en |access-date=2023-01-22}}{{Citation |title=This Is What It Feels Like To Be Depressed | date=14 May 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4G2NXsuYyM |language=en |access-date=2023-01-22}}{{Cite news |last=Ciesemier |first=Kendall |date=2020-03-10 |title=Opinion {{!}} Afraid of Coronavirus? I Know What That Fear Is Like |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/opinion/coronavirus-disability-fear.html |access-date=2023-01-22 |issn=0362-4331}}
Davina Ingrams, 18th Baroness Darcy de Knayth – British Paralympian and Representative peer{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1581433/Lady-Darcy-de-Knayth.html |title=Lady Darcy de Knayth |publisher=Telegraph |date=1 March 2008|accessdate=25 February 2013 |location=London}}
Malvika Iyer – bilateral amputee, disability rights activist, and member of United Nations IANYD's Working Group{{Cite news|url=http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2017/6/from-where-i-stand--malvika-iyer|title=From where I stand: "Being a person with disability is challenging. Being a woman with disability adds extra challenges"|date=3 June 2017|work=UN Women|access-date=11 November 2017|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/its-unfair-to-students/article18964476.ece|title='It's unfair to students'|date=1 June 2017|work=The Hindu|access-date=11 November 2017|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite news|url=https://thelogicalindian.com/story-feed/exclusive/malvika-iyer/|title=From Bomb Blast Survivor To UN Speaker: The Story Of Malvika Iyer|date=1 March 2017|work=The Logical Indian|access-date=11 November 2017|language=en-US}}

J

Casar Jacobson – Norwegian-Canadian autism, disability, and gender equality rights activist;{{Cite web|url=https://www.amphl.org/blog/2019/6/11/conference-reflections|title=Deaf Medical Professionals in North America}} UN Women Youth Champion; former Miss Canada (2013); bilaterally deaf and uses American Sign Language{{Cite news|url=http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2017/4/from-where-i-stand-casar-jacobson|title=From where I stand: "Technology sees skills before gender and disability"|work=UN Women|access-date=20 June 2017|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2017/03/international-womens-day-spotlights-impact-of-changing-world-of-work-2/|title=IW's Day spotlights impact of changing world of work|date=7 March 2017|work=United Nations Sustainable Development|access-date=20 June 2017|language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4694983/united-nations-international-womens-day/|title=Watch Live as the United Nations Celebrates International Women's Day|last=Begley|first=Sarah|magazine=Time|access-date=20 June 2017}}
Harriet McBryde Johnson – a New Mobility "Person of the Year"; disability-rights attorney and anti-euthanasia activist{{cite news|last=McBryde |first=Harriet |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/16/magazine/unspeakable-conversations.html |title=Unspeakable Conversations – New York Times |work=The New York Times |date=1 February 2003|accessdate=25 February 2013}}
I. King Jordan – first deaf president of Gallaudet University

K

Helen Keller – American deaf-blind political activist, writer, and lecturer
John D. Kemp – American disability-rights activist; President and CEO of Viscardi center and the Henry Viscardi School
Abha Khetarpal – Indian disability-rights activist, founder of Cross The Hurdles, the first-ever counselling/educational resource website and mobile application designed exclusively for people with disabilities
Lizzie Kiama – Kenyan founder of This-Ability Trust{{Cite web|title=Ensuring equal rights for women with disabilities through sport {{!}} sportanddev.org|url=https://www.sportanddev.org/en/article/news/ensuring-equal-rights-women-disabilities-through-sport|access-date=2022-02-20|website=www.sportanddev.org}}{{Cite web|title=This Ability|url=https://africanvisionary.org/partners/this-ability|access-date=2022-02-20|website=African Visionary Fund}}
Bonnie Sherr Klein – directed the documentary film Shameless: The ART of Disability (2006){{cite web|url=http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/collection/film/?id=51620|title=Shameless: The ART of Disability|last=Klein|first=Bonnie Sherr|year=2006|work=Collections|publisher=National Film Board of Canada|accessdate= 30 November 2009}}{{cite news|url=https://www.straight.com/article/shameless-disability-0|title=Shameless Disability|last=Woolley|first=Pieta |date=18 May 2006|work=The Georgia Straight|accessdate= 30 November 2009}}
Raul Krauthausen – German disability rights activist

L

Frank Larkin – activist who, inspired by the frustrations of living with spina bifida, sought to improve the lives of others with the condition; attended the European Parliament and other continental-level events{{cite news|url=https://donegalnews.com/2020/03/tributes-paid-following-death-of-frank-larkin/|title=Tributes paid following death of Frank Larkin|work=Donegal News|date=27 March 2020}}
Paul K. Longmore – American history professor and activist; instrumental in the establishment of disability studies as an academic discipline, and in changes to Social Security that granted people with disabilities more rights{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-paul-longmore-20100816-story.html | work= Los Angeles Times | first=Valerie J. | last=Nelson | date=15 August 2010 | title=Paul K. Longmore Dies at 64; Leading Disability Scholar and Activist}}
Carrie Ann Lucas – disability rights attorney{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahkim/2019/02/25/carrie-ann-lucas-dies/|title=Carrie Ann Lucas Dies At Age 47. You Probably Haven't Heard Of Her And That's A Problem|last=Kim|first=Sarah|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=26 August 2019}}

M

Neil Marcus – actor and playwright active in the development of disability culture {{cite web |url=https://www.accessibility.com/blog/all-eyes-on-neil-marcus-a-champion-of-disability-visibility-through-artistry|title=All Eyes on Neil Marcus: A Champion of Disability Visibility Through Artistry }}
Robert Martin – activist for independent living for disabled people
Noor Al Mazroei – chef and disability rights activist from Qatar{{Cite web |date=2021-06-16 |title=Noor Ahmed Al Mazroei |url=https://womenofqatar.com/2021/06/16/noor-ahmed-al-mazroei/ |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=Women of Qatar |language=en-US}}
Ron McCallum – member of Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; has been on the National People with Disabilities and Carers Council; Chair of Radio for the Print Handicapped of New South Wales Co-operative Ltd.; the first totally blind person to have been appointed to a full professorship at an Australian university{{cite web |url=http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/?m=ron-mccallum-2011 |title=Australian of the Year Awards |publisher=Australianoftheyear.org.au |accessdate=25 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429170831/http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/?m=ron-mccallum-2011 |archive-date=29 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}
Anne McDonald – activist for independent living for disabled people{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/persistence-and-passion-speak-loudest-20101031-178v0.html |title=Anne McDonald, 1961 – 2010 |publisher=Smh.com.au |accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Kathryn McGee – American activist who founded the National Association for Down Syndrome and the National Down Syndrome Congress; her daughter Tricia had Down syndrome{{cite web|url=http://www.cdadc.com/ds/a-history-of-kathryn-mcgee-and-the-founding-of-mdc-and-ndsc.html |title=A History of Kathryn McGee and the founding of MDC and NDSC |publisher=Cdadc.com |accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Eva Middleton – Belizean advocate for disability rights and involved with the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA){{Cite web|date=30 March 2018|title=Eva Middleton, activist and manager for BAPDA, dies|url=https://amandala.com.bz/news/eva-middleton-activist-manager-bapda-dies/|access-date=26 July 2020|website=Amandala}}
Stacey Milbern – American activist who helped establish the disability justice movement{{Cite web|last=Tso|first=Tiffany Diane|date=28 May 2020|title=5 Disability Justice Activists to Know This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month|url=https://rewire.news/article/2020/05/28/5-disability-justice-activists-to-know-this-asian-pacific-american-heritage-month/|access-date=19 July 2020|website=Rewire.News|language=en}}
Paul Steven Miller – American civil rights lawyer, activist and law professor, was a Commissioner of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and author of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act{{Cite web|url=https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/gina.cfm|title=Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008|website=www.eeoc.gov|access-date=26 August 2019}}
Leroy F. Moore Jr. – African American writer, poet, community activist, feminist, and the founder of Krip-Hop
Alf Morris – introduced the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act and first "Minister for the Disabled" in Great Britain or anywhere else{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/lancashire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8697000/8697441.stm |title=BBC – Forty years of Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act |publisher=BBC News |date=2 May 2010|accessdate=25 February 2013}}

N

Sainimili Naivalu – Fijian table tennis medallist and activist
Karen Nakamura – American academic, author, filmmaker, photographer and the Robert and Colleen Haas Distinguished Chair of Disability Studies and Professor of Anthropology at University of California, Berkeley
Neema Namadamu – women's rights and disability rights activist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC){{Cite news|url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2014/04/04/neema-namadamu-making-a-difference-in-congo.html|title = Making a Difference in Hell|last = Cunningham|first = Erin|date = 4 April 2014|work = The Daily Beast|access-date = 19 September 2015}}
Ari Ne'eman – co-creator of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network{{cite web|author=Claudia Kalb |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2009/05/15/erasing-autism.html |title=Could a Gene Test Change Autism? – Newsweek and The Daily Beast |publisher=Thedailybeast.com |date=1 May 2009|accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Yetnebersh Nigussie – blind lawyer and disability rights and anti-AIDS activist from Ethiopia; founded the Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD)

O

Corbett O'Toole – disability rights activist and author in Berkeley, California; established the National Disabled Women's Educational Equity Project
Mary Jane Owen – disability rights activist, philosopher, policy expert and writer who has lived and worked in Washington, D.C. since 1979

P

Jean-Christophe Parisot – founder of Collectif des Démocrates Handicapés{{cite news|last=Schofield |first=Hugh |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1753065.stm |title=EUROPE | Disability ruling caused huge offence |publisher=BBC News |date=1 January 2002|accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Ajith C. S. Perera – Chief Executive Idiriya in Sri Lanka activist in favour of the social model of disability and Inclusive Society{{cite news | last = Ockersz | first = Lynn | title = Landmark Supreme Court ruling – A fillip for accessibility rights of disabled. | work = News – Page 17 | publisher = Upali Newspapers – The Sunday Island | date = 8 November 2009 | url = http://www.island.lk/2009/11/08/news-17.jpg | accessdate = 26 January 2010}}
Richard Pimentel – activist for workplace rights for disabled people{{cite news |last=Erikson |first=Chris |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/item_CvGc17Zb1FhO28uOZpbokI;jsessionid=5337A85FA4520A24190497FFE610C60D |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904131909/http://www.nypost.com/p/item_CvGc17Zb1FhO28uOZpbokI;jsessionid=5337A85FA4520A24190497FFE610C60D |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 September 2012 |title=The Warrior |publisher=NYPOST.com |date=2 October 2007|accessdate=25 February 2013 }}
Victor Pineda – American activist, participated as government delegate in the drafting of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities{{cite web|url=http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NEWSEVENTS/Pages/DisabilitiesLegalTool.aspx |title=A new legal tool to protect persons with disabilities |publisher=Ohchr.org |accessdate=25 February 2013}}

R

Alan Reich – founder of the National Organization on Disability{{cite web |url=http://www.equualaccess.org/resourcelinks.html |title=Resource Links |publisher=Equualaccess.org |accessdate=25 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505091710/http://equualaccess.org/resourcelinks.html |archive-date=5 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}
Maria Verónica Reina (1960s–2017) – Argentine educational psychologist and disability rights activist
Gilberto Rincón Gallardo – Mexican politician with shortened arms who worked on disability issues{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/03/AR2008090303835.html |title=Mexican Politician, Disabled Rights Activist Gilberto Rincón Gallardo |work=Washingtonpost.com |date=4 September 2008 |accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Edward Roberts – first quadriplegic to attend the University of California, Berkeley; his fight for access at Berkeley spread into seeking access in the community and the development of the first Centre for Independent Living{{cite web|url=http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2010/07/27/roberts/ |title=Ed Roberts, disability-rights leader and Cal alum, gets his own state day |publisher=Newscenter.berkeley.edu |date=2 July 2010|accessdate=25 February 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/makingyourcase/system_exercise1.html |title=Partners in Making Your Case: Changing the System |publisher=Partnersinpolicymaking.com |accessdate=25 February 2013}}
John Elder Robison – autism rights activist and author{{Cite web|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/john-elder-robison|title=John Elder Robison|website=Psychology Today|language=en-US|access-date=13 March 2020}}
Jay Ruderman – President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, advocating for the rights of people with disabilities in the United States and in Israel{{cite web|title=Resources: Among Peers (A Conversation with Jay Ruderman)|url=https://www.foundationsource.com/resource/among-peers/a-conversation-with-jay-ruderman/|website=Foundationsource.com|accessdate=16 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815101718/https://www.foundationsource.com/resource/among-peers/a-conversation-with-jay-ruderman/|archive-date=15 August 2016}}

S

Ali Saberi – member of the City Council of Tehran{{cite web|title=Plan to Make Tehran 'Accessible' for Visually Impaired|url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/people/2507/plan-to-make-tehran-accessible-for-visually-impaired|date=15 October 2014|accessdate=27 June 2016|work=The Financial Tribune}} and one of the highest-paid lawyers in Iran with a fee around $1.7 million{{cite web|title=The highest-paid Iranian lawyer is visually impaired|url=http://theiranproject.com/blog/2015/10/26/the-highest-paid-iranian-lawyer-is-visually-impaired/|date=26 October 2015|accessdate=27 June 2016|work=The Iran Project}}
Yuliia Sachuk – Ukrainian activist for the rights of the disabled people{{Cite web |title=Правозахисниця Юлія Сачук: "Права людини стають цінністю, яка об'єднує країну, сприяючи її розвитку" – Українська Гельсінська спілка з прав людини |url=https://www.helsinki.org.ua/articles/pravozakhysnytsia-yuliia-sachuk-prava-liudyny-staiut-tsinnistiu-iaka-ob-iednuie-krainu-spryiaiuchy-ii-rozvytku/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=www.helsinki.org.ua |date=8 May 2020 |language=uk}}
Peggy S. Salters – first survivor of electroshock treatment in the United States to win a jury verdict and a large money judgment ($635,177) in compensation for extensive permanent amnesia and cognitive disability caused by the procedure
Sandra Schnur – director of the New York City Half-fare Program for the Handicapped; wrote an early guide for disabled in the city; had quadriplegia{{cite news|last=Klemesrud |first=Judy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/05/25/archives/disabled-women-a-conference-on-discrimination-to-effect-change.html |title=Disabled Women - A Conference on Discrimination - 'To Effect Change' Other Barriers Mentioned Veterans Get Priority - Article - NYTimes.com |publisher=Select.nytimes.com |date=2 May 1979|accessdate=25 February 2013}}{{cite news|last=Rusk |first=Howard A. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/10/19/archives/guides-to-good-health-survey-of-new-publications-of-interest-to.html |title=Guides to Good Health - Survey of New Publications of Interest To Handicapped Persons and Others - Article - NYTimes.com |publisher=Select.nytimes.com |date=1 October 1958|accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Judy Castle Scott – blind advocate and activist in the field of vision loss{{Cite web |date=5 August 2015 |title=Judy Scott, Long-Time Vision Loss Champion, to Retire from AFB |url=https://www.afb.org/press-room/press-release-archive/judy-scott-retires |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=American Foundation for the Blind |language=en}}
Annie Segarra – American YouTuber and intersectional activist{{cite web|author=Carrie|title=Queer Crip Love Fest: Talking with Queer Disabled Latinx Activist Annie Segarra about Family and Connection|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/queer-crip-love-fest-talking-with-queer-disabled-latinx-activist-annie-segarra-about-family-and-connection-363806/|website=Autostraddle|accessdate=22 September 2017|date=26 December 2016}}
Nabil Shaban – Jordanian-British actor, journalist, and founder of The Graeae, a theater group which promotes disabled performers{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/589316/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Shaban, Nabil (1953–) Biography|website=www.screenonline.org.uk|access-date=26 August 2019}}
D. P. Sharma – Indian disability rights activist working for equal opportunity in education, tech enabled education access, and transformation in education and employment policies
Eunice Kennedy Shriver – lifelong advocate for people with intellectual disabilities who founded Special Olympics International in 1968
Jim Sinclair – coordinator and founder of Autism Network International, advisor to Syracuse University's Disability Cultural Center
Satendra Singh – doctor with disability and founder of Enabling Unit{{cite news|title=Man of Infinite Ability|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/user-generated/Man-of-Infinite-Ability/britanniashow/17937922.cms|newspaper=The Times of India}}
Max Starkloff (1937–2010) – founded Paraquad, one of the first independent living centers in the United States; advocated for the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/01/04/132655397/max-starkloff-pioneer-in-independent-living-for-disabled-dies-at-73 |title=Max Starkloff, Pioneer In Independent Living For Disabled, Dies At 73 : Shots – Health News |publisher=NPR |date=4 January 2011 |accessdate=25 February 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/obituaries/article_718e6c4d-7929-5ef2-a533-d51f42e78476.html |title=Max Starkloff dies; Paraquad founder crusaded for disabled : News |publisher=Stltoday.com |date=2 December 2010|accessdate=25 February 2013}}{{cite news| url=http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2010/12/27/paraquad-founder-starkloff-dies-at-73.html | first=St. | last=Louis | title=Paraquad Founder Starkloff Dies at 73 | date=27 December 2010}}
John Franklin Stephens – actor, athlete, and activist with Down syndrome{{Cite web|url=https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/qa-with-john-franklin-stephens/|title=Frank Stephens Stars on the Runway, on the Big Screen and in DC|date=5 January 2015|website=Global Down Syndrome Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=21 November 2019}}
Simon Stevens – disability issues consultant known for his high-profile work around disability issues in the UK

T

Joni Ericson Tada – evangelical Christian author, radio host, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community"{{Cite web|url=https://www.joniandfriends.org/|title=Joni and Friends {{!}} Advancing Disability Ministry|language=en-US|access-date=26 August 2019}}
Sunaura Taylor – artist, writer, and activist{{Cite web|url=http://www.sunaurataylor.org/|title=Registrant WHOIS contact information verification {{!}} Namecheap.com|website=www.sunaurataylor.org|access-date=26 August 2019}}
Jack Thorne – English screenwriter and playwright
Lauren Tuchman – first blind woman ordained as a rabbi and advocate for disability justice and inclusive Torah{{Cite web |title=Lauren Tuchman |url=https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/tuchman-lauren |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Jewish Women's Archive |date=23 June 2021 |language=en}}

U

Chris Underhill – a founder of Thrive and ADD International (Action on Disability and Development){{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60227480.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021114656/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60227480.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2012 |title=Charity chief honoured for services to disabled people |publisher=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=1 June 1999|accessdate=25 February 2013}}{{cite news |title=Plants as Therapy Are More Popular |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9902EFD91639F933A2575AC0A967948260&sec=health&spon= |work=The New York Times |date= 10 September 1981 |accessdate= 10 September 2008 }}

V

Susanna van Tonder – Luxembourgish disability-rights activist, patient advocate and blogger with multiple sclerosis
George Veditz - former President of the National Association of the Deaf and advocate for the preservation of sign language
Lizzie Velásquez – author and public speaker on themes of self-esteem and bullying of young people with disabilities
Henry Viscardi Jr. – American disability-rights activist; advisor to eight US presidents on disability matters

W

Yuval Wagner – President of Access Israel
Ron Whyte – playwright who was on the President's Committee for the Employment of the Handicapped{{cite news|author=Published: 19 September 1989 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/19/obituaries/ron-whyte-47-dead-playwright-of-disabled.html |title=Ron Whyte, 47, Dead; Playwright of Disabled – New York Times |work=The New York Times |date=1 September 1989|accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Alice Wong – founded the Disability Visibility Project
Grace Woodhead – care in the community in 1890 in the UK
Patrisha Wright – known as "the General" for her work in coordinating the campaign to enact the Americans with Disabilities Act

Y

Benafsha Yaqoobi – commissioner at the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) until she fled Afghanistan with her husband in 2021{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Jessica |title=Disabled Afghans in special jeopardy, warns exiled campaigner |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/06/disabled-afghans-in-special-jeopardy-warns-exiled-campaigner |access-date=7 December 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=6 September 2021 |language=en}}
Cara Elizabeth Yar Khan – disability advocate, public speaker and United Nations humanitarian
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah – Ghanaian cyclist with one leg who rode across Ghana to raise awareness and works to increase the number of wheelchairs in his country{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/International/story?id=1005135&page=1 |title=One-Legged Cyclist Transforms African Nation – ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=6 August 2005 |accessdate=25 February 2013}}
Stella Young (1982–2014) – Australian journalist, comedian, and disability activist, used a wheelchair for most of her life, editor of the ABC online magazine Ramp Up

Z

Frieda Zames – mathematics professor, writer and advocate for access to all aspects of public life, especially transportation; as an official of Disabled in Action, campaigned for wheelchair access on New York City buses, ferries and taxis and buildings like the Empire State Building; with her sister, Zames, wrote the book, The Disability Rights Movement: From Charity to Confrontation
Maysoon Zayid – Palestinian actress, comedian, and disability rights activist known for her Ted Talk, "I've Got 99 Problems...Palsy is Just One"
Hale Zukas – architectural and transportation barriers consultant, known for his pioneering work in Berkeley, California; lobbied for the creation and adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

References

Rights

Category:Lists of activists