Leaders in the Independent Living Movement
The history of the independent living movement is not complete without mention of some other leaders who continue to make substantial contributions to the movement and to the rights and empowerment of people with disabilities.
Max Starkloff, Charlie Carr, and Marca Bristo founded the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) in 1980. NCIL is one of the only national organizations that is consumer-controlled and promotes the rights and empowerment of people with disabilities .
Justin Dart played a prominent role in the fight for passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and is seen by many as the spiritual leader of the movement today. Lex Frieden is co-founder of ILRU Program. As director of the National Council on Disability, he directed preparation of the original ADA legislation and its introduction in Congress.
Liz Savage and Pat Wright are considered the "mothers of the ADA." They led the consumer fight for the passage of the ADA.
There are countless other people who have and continue to make substantial contributions to the independent living movement.
