When it comes to disability rights and advocacy, few names have such a lasting impact as that of Ed Roberts.
Widely hailed as the father of the independent living movement, Roberts’ life and work stand as a towering testament to the power of resilience and determination. A lifelong fight against so called ‘insurmountable challenges’ realised as a relentless pursuit of equality, not only altered his life and other disabled people around him -
It also forged a path for countless others in the disability community.
Born in 1939, Roberts’ world was irrevocably changed at the age of 14 when he contracted polio. The disease left him paralyzed from the neck down, using an iron lung for breathing. Refusing to accept the societal constraints placed upon individuals with disabilities, he embarked on a path that would challenge and eventually change the prevailing narratives around disability.
Roberts’ legacy is intricately tied to the movement that championed the rights and independence of people with disabilities. His advocacy was not just a personal crusade but a broader fight for accessibility, inclusion, and respect. His efforts were pivotal in reshaping public policies, perception and attitudes.
