Marca Bristo - Disability Champion Passes Away

Over the weekend I lost a friend of almost 30 years and the disability community lost a champion for disability rights. Marca Bristo, who rose to become one of the world’s most influential advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities, died Sunday morning at age 66. I should be more accurate and say that her body has left, but her spirit and legacy will live on for a very long time. We owe her that.

Marca was a trail-blazer who did everything from physically blocking CTA buses in 1984 to protest the fact that the buses were not accessible to being one of the authors of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She was a mentor to me when I served on the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and continued to keep me honest wherever I worked and made sure that when I spoke about inclusion and diversity in the workplace, disabilities was part of those conversations.

In a statement following her passing, President Clinton eloquently stated, “Marca Bristo was a courageous, visionary leader who dedicated more than 40 years of her life to breaking down barriers for people with disabilities. From her pioneering advocacy with Access Living, to her role in drafting the Americans with Disabilities Act, to her outstanding service as Chair of the National Council on Disability during my Presidency, Marca helped give millions of Americans the opportunities to participate in all aspects of our nation’s life. She touched hearts, opened minds, and changed America forever. We should all give thanks for her life, service, and example.”

Rest well my friend. You've earned it.