02/12/2026
At CDS Life Transitions, we're celebrating Black History Month by highlighting a figure who paved the way for early disability advocacy: Fannie Lou Hamer.
"Fannie Lou Hamer was Black woman, civil rights leader, humanitarian, and grassroots organizer committed to nonviolent action for lasting change. Her work centered to expand equal opportunity, defend civil rights, and uphold fundamental liberties by advancing broader participation in American civic and public life for underrepresented and underserved groups, particularly across the state of Mississippi. After surviving polio as a child and navigating life with a physical disability, she committed herself to improving the lives of others by addressing hardship, instability, and injustice. She led efforts to elevate accessible voting, support equitable pay and workforce development, and reduce hunger and poverty. Her work was grounded in the core belief that human rights and well-being depend on access to economic security, meaningful employment, food security, affordable housing, fair treatment in healthcare, family-centered support services, and safeguards from harmful financial practices. Through the Freedom Farm Cooperative, Hamer provided individuals and families with direct services, education, self-help, mutual aid, and advocacy opportunities, helping build long-term stability and pathways to independent living. She also emphasized community leadership as essential to building strong and inclusive communities."
From the American Association of People with Disabilities
