What makes an activist? What makes the Bay Area a hub for disability activism? The Changemakers in this theme are all known for the never-ending work of maintaining and furthering disability civil rights.
Some are veteran protesters from the 504 sit-in of 1977 and some are young dynamos, harnessing social media to create change. While the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 created an important legal framework, there is still much to do. Many disabled people still face barriers to employment and full participation in society. As veteran protester Dennis Billups said: “We would like more a piece of the American Pie.”
Discover how the activists below are doing the relentless work of protecting the rights of disabled people and pushing hard for further change.
- Dennis Billups
- Mary Lou Breslin
- Allie Cannington
- Lawrence Carter-Long
- Haben Girma
- Nicole Harris
- La Mesha Irizarry
- Adrienne Lauby
- Bonnie Lewkowicz
- Alex Locust
- Stacey Milbern
- Mia Mingus
- Leroy Moore
- Bruce Oka
- Drago Renteria
- Rebecca Williford
- Alice Wong
- Stanley Yarnell















