Alice Wong, a pioneering disability rights activist and author, has died at the age of 51, as confirmed by multiple news reports within the last 24 hours. Her passing is a profound loss for the disability justice movement she helped shape.
Alice Wong died on Friday, November 14, 2025, at a hospital in San Francisco due to an infection, according to close friend Sandy Ho. The news was shared on social media and quickly picked up by major outlets like CNN and NPR. Wong was known for her fierce advocacy and had been a vocal figure in disability rights for years. Her death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the community.
Born with muscular dystrophy, Wong used a powered wheelchair and an assistive breathing device throughout her life. She was the daughter of immigrants from Hong Kong and grew up in Indianapolis, where she often felt isolated as one of the few disabled and Asian American students. Despite doctors predicting she wouldn’t live past 18, she pursued higher education, earning degrees from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and the University of California, San Francisco.
Wong’s most significant contribution was founding the Disability Visibility Project (DVP) in 2014, which amplified disabled voices through storytelling, social media, and partnerships with organizations like StoryCorps. The project collected oral histories and shared personal narratives to challenge ableist stereotypes and promote disability culture. Her work emphasized that disabled people should speak for themselves, not be spoken for by others.
In 2024, Wong received a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, recognizing her innovative advocacy. She also co-founded #CripTheVote in 2016, a nonpartisan online movement that engaged voters and politicians on disability issues. Through these efforts, she empowered many to participate in civic life and advocate for policy changes, such as opposing straw bans and enforcing mask mandates in healthcare.
Her 2022 memoir, “Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life,” blended humor with serious reflections on disability, describing herself as a “disabled cyborg” due to her reliance on technology. The book humanized disability and highlighted her passions for science fiction, food, and cats. Wong also wrote columns for Teen Vogue and edited anthologies that centered disabled perspectives.
Wong’s advocacy reached national levels; she served on the National Council on Disability from 2013 to 2015 under President Barack Obama and made history by attending a White House reception via a telepresence robot. This demonstrated her commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Friends remember her as witty, generous, and joyful, often cooking for loved ones and caring for her cats. Her legacy endures through the ongoing work of the Disability Visibility Project and the many lives she inspired. As the disability community mourns, her influence continues to drive efforts for justice and equity, ensuring that her vision of a world where disabled people live freely and autonomously remains a goal for future activists.
