Fred Fay
Encyclopedia
Frederick A. Fay was an early leader in the disability rights movement
in the United States. Through a combination of direct advocacy, grassroots organizing among the various disability rights communities, building cross-disability coalitions between disparate disability organizations, and using technology to connect otherwise isolated disability constituencies, Fay worked diligently to raise awareness and pass legislation advancing civil rights and independent living opportunities for people with disabilities across the United States. He won the 1997 Henry B. Betts Award for outstanding achievement in civil rights for Americans with disabilities
. Fay was recognized for "flat-out advocacy" over several decades. He helped lead the nationwide efforts by disability advocates to secure passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Jonathan Young, chairman of the National Council on Disability
, said, “Fred was one of the great early pioneers in disability advocacy...the depth and breadth of his knowledge and commitment was surpassed only by the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind."
Frederick Allan Fay, Ph.D., was born on September 12, 1944, and raised in Washington, DC. At age 16, he sustained a cervical spinal cord injury
, and started using a manual wheelchair for mobility. At 17, he launched his disability advocacy career by co-founding "Opening Doors," a counseling and information center.
Fay attended the University of Illinois, one of the nation's first wheelchair-accessible universities. A few years later, he was a founder of the Boston Center for Independent Living
, the Massachusetts Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, and of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities
.
Fay worked for many years at the Tufts New England Medical Center, until syringomyelia
made it impossible for him to sit upright. For the past quarter century, Fay has worked from his home in Concord, Massachusetts. In the early years, he used a headset to speak and listen on the phone, plus a personal computer mounted on a stand near his motorized bed. He had an electronic workstation suspended over the bed.
It was from there that Fay launched the Justice for All forum that compiles and distributes disability rights information to his wide network of friends and allies.
One of the continuing visionaries of the disability rights movement, Fay provided ongoing leadership to disability advocates. He was recognized in the movement for his irrepressible enthusiasm and optimism.
Fay made a short video with another disability rights notable, Roland W. Sykes, founder of DIMENET.
Fay died on August 20, 2011, at his home in Concord.
Disability rights movement
The disability rights movement is the movement to secure equal opportunities and equal rights for people with disabilities. The specific goals and demands of the movement are: accessibility and safety in transportation, architecture, and the physical environment, equal opportunities in independent...
in the United States. Through a combination of direct advocacy, grassroots organizing among the various disability rights communities, building cross-disability coalitions between disparate disability organizations, and using technology to connect otherwise isolated disability constituencies, Fay worked diligently to raise awareness and pass legislation advancing civil rights and independent living opportunities for people with disabilities across the United States. He won the 1997 Henry B. Betts Award for outstanding achievement in civil rights for Americans with disabilities
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
. Fay was recognized for "flat-out advocacy" over several decades. He helped lead the nationwide efforts by disability advocates to secure passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Jonathan Young, chairman of the National Council on Disability
National Council on Disability
The National Council on Disability was initially established in 1978 as an advisory board within the United States Department of Education to guarantee equal opportunity for people with disabilities. NCD is composed of 15 members, appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by...
, said, “Fred was one of the great early pioneers in disability advocacy...the depth and breadth of his knowledge and commitment was surpassed only by the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind."
Frederick Allan Fay, Ph.D., was born on September 12, 1944, and raised in Washington, DC. At age 16, he sustained a cervical spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury refers to any injury to the spinal cord that is caused by trauma instead of disease. Depending on where the spinal cord and nerve roots are damaged, the symptoms can vary widely, from pain to paralysis to incontinence...
, and started using a manual wheelchair for mobility. At 17, he launched his disability advocacy career by co-founding "Opening Doors," a counseling and information center.
Fay attended the University of Illinois, one of the nation's first wheelchair-accessible universities. A few years later, he was a founder of the Boston Center for Independent Living
Independent living
Independent living, as seen by its advocates, is a philosophy, a way of looking at disability and society, and a worldwide movement of people with disabilities working for self-determination, self-respect and equal opportunities...
, the Massachusetts Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, and of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities
American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities
The American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities was, in the mid-1970s to early 1980s, a national consumer-led disability rights organization called, by nationally syndicated columnist Jack Anderson and others, “the handicapped lobby”...
.
Fay worked for many years at the Tufts New England Medical Center, until syringomyelia
Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia is a generic term referring to a disorder in which a cyst or cavity forms within the spinal cord. This cyst, called a syrinx, can expand and elongate over time, destroying the spinal cord. The damage may result in pain, paralysis, weakness, and stiffness in the back, shoulders, and...
made it impossible for him to sit upright. For the past quarter century, Fay has worked from his home in Concord, Massachusetts. In the early years, he used a headset to speak and listen on the phone, plus a personal computer mounted on a stand near his motorized bed. He had an electronic workstation suspended over the bed.
It was from there that Fay launched the Justice for All forum that compiles and distributes disability rights information to his wide network of friends and allies.
One of the continuing visionaries of the disability rights movement, Fay provided ongoing leadership to disability advocates. He was recognized in the movement for his irrepressible enthusiasm and optimism.
Fay made a short video with another disability rights notable, Roland W. Sykes, founder of DIMENET.
Fay died on August 20, 2011, at his home in Concord.