Alice Wong, Disability Rights Activist and Luminary Writer, Dies at 51
A pioneering voice in the disability rights movement has been silenced too soon. Alice Wong, a writer and activist who spent her life advocating for greater inclusion and autonomy for people with disabilities, particularly those from marginalized communities, passed away on Friday at the age of 51 due to an infection.
Wong's unwavering commitment to dismantling systemic ableism was fueled by her own experiences growing up with muscular dystrophy in Indiana. Her memoir, "Year of the Tiger," chronicles her journey towards self-discovery and activism, highlighting the ways in which US policies and systems fail disabled individuals, queer people, immigrants, and people of color.
Through her work, Wong sought to humanize disability and amplify the voices of others who have been marginalized or silenced. Her Disability Visibility Project, founded in 2014, was initially an oral history project that collected the stories of disabled people, which were later published in two books: "Disability Visibility" and "Disability Intimacy." Wong's writing was not only personal but also politicized, reflecting her commitment to fighting for a world where individuals with disabilities can live freely and make their own decisions.
Wong's legacy extends far beyond her impressive list of achievements. Her advocacy often focused on the need for greater autonomy in healthcare and social services, advocating "getting people out of institutions and remaining in the community." Her humor and wit were also unmistakable, as reflected in her writing, which humanized disability while also challenging societal norms.
In a poignant statement before her death, Wong expressed her gratitude to friends and teachers who had believed in her, saying: "It was thanks to friendships and some great teachers who believed in me that I was able to fight my way out of miserable situations into a place where I finally felt comfortable in my skin. We need more stories about us and our culture."
Wong's passing is a loss not only for the disability rights movement but also for the literary world, which will be deeply saddened by her absence. Her MacArthur "genius grant" award in 2024 recognized her tireless efforts to amplify the work and voices of other disabled people, cementing her status as a luminary of the movement.
In a world where systemic ableism persists, Wong's work serves as a powerful reminder that individuals with disabilities are capable of greatness – not despite their limitations but because of their unique perspectives and experiences. As we mourn her passing, we also honor her legacy and continue to fight for a more inclusive, equitable society where everyone can thrive.
A pioneering voice in the disability rights movement has been silenced too soon. Alice Wong, a writer and activist who spent her life advocating for greater inclusion and autonomy for people with disabilities, particularly those from marginalized communities, passed away on Friday at the age of 51 due to an infection.
Wong's unwavering commitment to dismantling systemic ableism was fueled by her own experiences growing up with muscular dystrophy in Indiana. Her memoir, "Year of the Tiger," chronicles her journey towards self-discovery and activism, highlighting the ways in which US policies and systems fail disabled individuals, queer people, immigrants, and people of color.
Through her work, Wong sought to humanize disability and amplify the voices of others who have been marginalized or silenced. Her Disability Visibility Project, founded in 2014, was initially an oral history project that collected the stories of disabled people, which were later published in two books: "Disability Visibility" and "Disability Intimacy." Wong's writing was not only personal but also politicized, reflecting her commitment to fighting for a world where individuals with disabilities can live freely and make their own decisions.
Wong's legacy extends far beyond her impressive list of achievements. Her advocacy often focused on the need for greater autonomy in healthcare and social services, advocating "getting people out of institutions and remaining in the community." Her humor and wit were also unmistakable, as reflected in her writing, which humanized disability while also challenging societal norms.
In a poignant statement before her death, Wong expressed her gratitude to friends and teachers who had believed in her, saying: "It was thanks to friendships and some great teachers who believed in me that I was able to fight my way out of miserable situations into a place where I finally felt comfortable in my skin. We need more stories about us and our culture."
Wong's passing is a loss not only for the disability rights movement but also for the literary world, which will be deeply saddened by her absence. Her MacArthur "genius grant" award in 2024 recognized her tireless efforts to amplify the work and voices of other disabled people, cementing her status as a luminary of the movement.
In a world where systemic ableism persists, Wong's work serves as a powerful reminder that individuals with disabilities are capable of greatness – not despite their limitations but because of their unique perspectives and experiences. As we mourn her passing, we also honor her legacy and continue to fight for a more inclusive, equitable society where everyone can thrive.
She was such an inspiring voice in the disability rights movement, always speaking truth to power and fighting for inclusion and autonomy. I mean, who else could make you laugh while also tackling some heavy stuff? 
Her writing was like a breath of fresh air - so honest, so vulnerable, and yet so empowering. We're gonna miss her, but we can't let her legacy fade away 
This is such a sad loss. I mean, Alice Wong was literally changing the game with her advocacy work. I'm still thinking about that quote she said... "We need more stories about us and our culture." It's so true. We're not just broken bodies, we're vibrant voices with so much to offer.
She was literally the most inspiring person I've ever read about - like my own school's disability club president is kinda like that too 
But what gets me is how we're still not living up to her vision of a society where people with disabilities can just be themselves without facing barriers everywhere... even in our schools 
Like, I know it sounds idealistic but Wong's work showed us that disability isn't weakness - it's just a different way of experiencing the world. We gotta keep pushing for those things on campus too 
and i'm sure her humor & wit are still making ppl laugh even in death 
. It’s heartbreaking to think about all the amazing things she was going to achieve, but her legacy will live on through her books, her project, and the countless lives she touched 
. We need more people like Alice Wong who are unafraid to speak truth to power and challenge systemic ableism – we can’t let her sacrifice be in vain 
her writing was so inspiring and her passion for disability rights is something we all need more of 
we should really be celebrating her life and work instead of mourning it 
. We need more people like her who aren't afraid to challenge the status quo 
. RIP, but her legacy lives on 
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so much potential lost far too soon 
. Her writing was not only personal but also super powerful, it made me feel seen and heard as a disabled person