Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926 as an educational tool to inspire Black Americans to celebrate their heritage, and recognize the contributions of Black leaders throughout history. Today, we Celebrate February as Black History Month.
We celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans in our nation’s history, and we also honor achievements today. African American role models play a crucial role in setting high expectations for youth with disabilities.
More than 5.5 million African Americans live with a disability.
3.2 million working-age African Americans live with disabilities, most of whom face structural barriers to success
Disability rights have been shaped by the contributions of African Americans.
- Harriet Tubman (Epilepsy) American abolitionist and political activist – icon of courage and freedom for African Americans living in slavery and women’s suffrage movement.
- Halle Berry (Diabetes) first African American woman to win an Oscar, setting the stage for others actors of color
- Maya Angelou (Epilepsy) Legendary Poet and Civil Rights Activist
Other Resources:
- Four Black Disability Rights Activists Who’ve Paved The Way to Where We Are Today
- Honoring Black History Month: Unsung Heroes of the Disability Rights Movement
- 8 influential black women with disabilities to follow
- The Overlooked History of Black Disabled People – Rewire News Group
- #disabledblackhistory – Twitter Search / Twitter
- First Deaf African American Lawyer Claudia Gordon, Anti-Discrimination Advocate
- Solange Knowles: Role Model for African American Performers with Disabilities
Explore more names and people here.
To make the nation more equitable for underrepresented communities and dismantle systems that create marginalization, we have to transform culture, practice, and economy.
The Ability Center honors and embraces diverse stories that reflect the full African American experience and intersectionality in the disability community.
RespectAbility, a national movement, recognizes contributions made and the important presence of African Americans in the United States.
