On September 11, we joined with millions of Americans and others
across the world who live with disabilities, their families, and the people who
work to support them in celebrating the life of Marca Bristo who died on
September 8, 2019. Marca’s remarkable life accomplishments make her one of the
most important and impactful voices in American history for equality and civil
rights for those with disabilities.
In 1977, at
age 23, Marca became paralyzed from the chest down in a diving accident in Lake
Michigan. Having become dependent on a wheelchair for her mobility, Marca
quickly came to learn about the multitude of life-stifling challenges and
obstacles people with disabilities faced in our society at that time.
Over
subsequent decades Marca advocated for change and increased awareness, lobbied
elected officials at all levels of government, organized a national grassroots
movement, and launched protests culminating most notably with the passage of
the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.