Alice Wong, Advocate for the Disabled, Passes Away at 51
SAN FRANCISCO – Alice Wong, a writer and activist who championed the rights of people with disabilities, has died at the age of 51. Wong passed away in a San Francisco hospital on Friday due to an infection, according to close friend Sandy Ho.
Wong, the daughter of immigrants from Hong Kong, lived with muscular dystrophy and used a wheelchair and breathing device. She became a powerful voice for those often unheard, advocating for the ability of disabled individuals to live full and independent lives within their communities.
Ho noted that Wong’s work promoted self-advocacy, ensuring individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to speak for themselves. Her writings, including her memoir “Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life” and her Disability Visibility Project blog, aimed to share her perspective and amplify the voices of others.
Wong was a 2024 recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “genius grant.”
