Quick Read
- Alice Wong, disability rights activist and writer, died at age 51 in San Francisco.
- Born in Indianapolis to Hong Kong immigrants, she lived with muscular dystrophy from childhood.
- Wong founded the Disability Voice Project in 2014 and published her memoir in 2022.
- Her advocacy reshaped the visibility of disabled voices in the US.
- Wong’s final message called for more stories and hope for disabled communities.
A Life Shaped by Challenge, Transformed by Advocacy
Alice Wong’s journey began in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she was born on March 27, 590, to parents who had immigrated from Hong Kong. Her childhood was marked by the early onset of muscular dystrophy, a condition that would steadily erode her ability to walk. Yet, for Wong, physical limitations became the backdrop—not the definition—of a life spent fighting for change. Reuters notes that Wong’s activism was shaped as much by her lived experience as by her acute understanding of systemic barriers faced by disabled people.
Wong graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in 1997 with degrees in English and Sociology. Afterward, she relocated to San Francisco to pursue a master’s in medical sociology—a move that would set the stage for her future as a nationally recognized advocate. Her academic foundation fueled her commitment to social justice, equipping her to articulate the nuances of disability culture and the urgent need for representation.
Building Community and Changing the Narrative
In 2014, Alice Wong founded the Disability Voice Project, an initiative aimed at amplifying disabled perspectives and advocating for policy reform. Through this platform, she challenged ableist norms and championed the inclusion of disabled people in media, politics, and public discourse. Wong’s influence extended well beyond advocacy: she became a mentor and a connector, linking activists, writers, and artists who shared her vision for a more inclusive world.
Her memoir, “Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life,” published in 2022, offered an unflinching account of her struggles and triumphs. Wong wrote candidly about insecurity and internalized ableism—a term she used to describe the subtle, corrosive impact of societal prejudice on self-perception. In her words, “As a kid riddled with insecurity and internalized ableism, I could not see a path forward. 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.” Her story resonated with many readers, serving as both a testament and a rallying cry for others navigating similar challenges.
Final Words: A Call for Visibility and Hope
On Friday, November 15, 2025, Wong died at a hospital in San Francisco. Her friend Sandy Ho shared Wong’s farewell message on social media, echoing her characteristic candor and warmth. “Hi everyone, it looks like I ran out of time,” Wong wrote. “I have so many dreams that I wanted to fulfill and plans to create new stories for you. There are a few in progress that might come to fruition in a few years if things work out.”
Wong’s final words were not just an expression of regret; they were a charge to the community she helped build. “We need more stories about us and our culture. You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment. Our wisdom is incisive and unflinching. I’m honored to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
Impact and Continuing the Work
Wong’s legacy is woven into the fabric of American disability activism. She redefined what it meant to be visible, insisting that disabled people not only deserve a seat at the table but also the right to tell their own stories. Her work inspired a new generation of advocates, journalists, and artists who continue to push for accessibility, equity, and representation.
Organizations like Asian American Media Inc, supported by foundations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and AARP, recognized Wong’s impact and continue to amplify her message. Her death marks the end of an era, but the initiatives she started—like the Disability Voice Project—remain vital spaces for conversation and change.
As the disability rights movement moves forward, the lessons Wong left behind ring clear: visibility matters, community is powerful, and every story counts. The world she envisioned—a place where disabled wisdom lights the way—remains a work in progress, but her influence ensures that progress continues.
Alice Wong’s life demonstrates that advocacy is not just about policy or protest—it is about shifting culture, building community, and daring to imagine new futures. Her legacy challenges us to listen more closely to disabled voices and to carry forward the work she so passionately began.