Paraquad

03/16/2026

In honor of Women’s History Month, Paraquad is highlighting women whose leadership has shaped the disability rights movement.

This week, we’re recognizing Marca Bristo, a powerful advocate for disability rights and independent living. After becoming paralyzed in a diving accident in college, Marca dedicated her life to advancing opportunity, access, and civil rights for people with disabilities.

As a founder of Access Living in Chicago and a longtime leader in the disability rights movement, Marca played a key role in national advocacy efforts that helped lead to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Her leadership helped strengthen the independent living movement and expand opportunities for people with disabilities across the country.

Marca’s legacy reminds us that lasting change happens when people with disabilities lead the fight for equity, access, and full participation in society.

At Paraquad, we continue the work she championed: advancing independence, access, and opportunity for people with disabilities.

03/14/2026

Can you hear us cheering?! 🙌📣 We’re celebrating St. Charles native Noah Elliott and his silver medal win at the Paralympic Games. Moments like this remind us how powerful access and opportunity in sport can be. 🥈

STUCK THE SILVER. 🥈

Noah Elliott takes home silver in Para snowboard cross at the .

03/13/2026

In honor of Women’s History Month, Paraquad is highlighting a woman in the disability rights movement each week whose leadership, advocacy, and vision have helped shape a more accessible and inclusive world.

We’re starting with Judith Heumann — a pioneering disability rights leader often called the “mother of the disability rights movement.” Throughout her life, Judith fought for the fundamental belief that people with disabilities belong in every part of society — in our schools, workplaces, communities, and government.

From leading the historic 504 Sit-in to helping shape the Americans with Disabilities Act, her advocacy opened doors for generations.

At Paraquad, we continue the work she championed: advancing independence, access, and opportunity for people with disabilities.

03/11/2026

For more than 55 years, Paraquad has worked to create a community where people with disabilities have the freedom, support, and opportunity to live independently.

Our mission is to champion equity and independence for people with disabilities through services, partnerships, education, and advocacy.

The values that guide our work every day—dignity, equity, opportunity, inclusion, and self-determination—shape how we support individuals and strengthen our community.

And our vision is clear: a society free of barriers and discrimination where disability is recognized as a natural part of human diversity.

We’re proud of the progress made over the past 55 years—and committed to the work ahead.

03/02/2026

The response to Disability Rights Legislative Day has been inspiring. If you are interested in advocating with us for the rights of people with disabilities, scan the QR code or visit our website to register for newsletters, action alerts, and more!

02/26/2026

Thank you Senator Moon and other supporters fighting for Missouri Senate proceedings to be livestreamed. Taking this action would be a dramatic help to people with disabilities to participate in the democratic process.

The Missouri Senate is one of only two legislative chambers in the country that does not provide a video livestream of its proceedings.

02/26/2026

What an amazing day advocating in Jefferson City at Disability Rights Legislative Day! Along with hundreds of fellow advocates from around the state, Paraquad spoke with elected officials about several important issues including funding services for people with disabilities.

A big thank you to all of our advocates and staff who attended this event!💚

02/24/2026

Paraquad is concerned by the findings outlined in the Department of Justice letter regarding the Special School District of St. Louis County. The use of seclusion and restraint must strictly align with the protections guaranteed under the Americans with Disabilities Act and reflect the dignity, safety, and full inclusion of students with disabilities. We value our longstanding partnership with SSD and stand ready to work collaboratively to strengthen policies and practices that serve students and families well.

The findings were published after a two-year investigation over the course of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.

02/23/2026

At Paraquad we not only love QuikTrip for the gas, coffee, snacks, and friendly staffers, we love them because they give back to their community. Thank you QT for believing in our mission and your generous donation to support people with disabilities to live independently.

02/19/2026

Check out this fantastic story on students competing for a spot in the St. Louis Braille Challenge. Good luck to all!

Visually-impaired students at Missouri School for the Blind competed to qualify for spot at the national Braille championship in Los Angeles.

02/14/2026

On behalf of everyone here at Paraquad, we want to say...
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! 🥰🌹
Thanks to you, we served over 1,200 participants last year!
Your support empowered people with disabilities to rebuild their lives through accessible fitness, peer support, and a renewed confidence turning "I can't" into "I did it myself."

Swipe through to see the Valentine's our Fine Motor Skills Group created!

02/12/2026

Paraquad is deeply grateful for our financial supporters, whose generosity allows us to champion independence for people with disabilities across St. Louis. Today, we want to extend a special thank you to The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis (Encompass Health). Through years of dedicated partnership, they have not only provided vital financial backing but have also enabled Paraquad to host essential peer services directly within their facility. We look forward to many more years of this fruitful collaboration.