Hosts, friend remember disability activist Alice Wong on Here and Now

Hosts and guests on the public radio program Here and Now paid tribute to disability activist and author Alice Wong, who died last week at age 51.

Yomi Young, a disability and social-justice organizer and friend of Wong, told the program that Wong used technology and social media to build community and to challenge structural oppression. "Alice's magic was in her ability to skillfully use technology and social media to build community and challenge structural oppression," Young said. Young added that Wong had recently spoken about her fear of losing Medicare benefits, a concern, Young said, "that millions of sick and chronically ill people are dealing with right now."

Young also said Wong organized fundraising to help Palestinians maintain a digital connection to the rest of the world, noting that Wong continued to speak on international issues even when it drew criticism. Young described Wong as both a public figure — a MacArthur Genius Award recipient and founder of the Disability Visibility Project — and a close friend who enjoyed ordinary, generous acts, such as bringing brownies to decorate pumpkins with a colleague's family.

The program's hosts, identified on air as Alyssa Nadworny in Washington and Jane Clayson in Boston, framed the segment as a remembrance and invited Young to share personal memories of Wong's advocacy and care. Young closed by urging listeners to honor Wong "by speaking truth to power" and to keep pushing on the issues Wong championed.

The segment included reflections on Wong's service on the National Council on Disability from 2013 to 2015 and the growth of the Disability Visibility Project from an oral-history collaboration into a broader online community. The broadcast did not include new policy announcements tied to Wong's death; the discussion focused on her career, community impact, and the personal memories of those who knew her.