SAN FRANCISCO – Renowned disability rights advocate and author Alice Wong has passed away at the age of 51, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration and change.

Wong’s passing occurred on Friday due to an infection at a San Francisco hospital, according to her close friend Sandy Ho, who has been in contact with Wong’s family. Wong’s life and work have been celebrated by many, particularly for her unwavering commitment to disability justice and her influence on countless individuals.

Describing Wong as a “luminary of the disability justice movement,” Ho highlighted Wong’s vision for a world where people with disabilities, especially those who are marginalized due to race, sexual orientation, or immigrant status, could enjoy full autonomy and freedom. This vision fueled Wong’s tireless efforts to create a more inclusive society.

Born to immigrants from Hong Kong, Wong lived with muscular dystrophy, relying on a powered wheelchair and an assistive breathing device. Despite these challenges, she emerged as a powerful voice for change, inspiring many through her writing and advocacy.

In a poignant social media post shared by Ho, Wong reflected on her unexpected journey, expressing gratitude for the impact she was able to make through her activism and writing. Her words continue to resonate, encapsulating a life dedicated to empowering others.

“It was thanks to friendships and some great teachers who believed in me that I was able to fight my way out of miserable situations into a place where I finally felt comfortable in my skin. We need more stories about us and our culture,” Wong wrote.

She advocated “getting people out of institutions and remaining in the community,” Ho said. Wong’s works — including books she authored and edited and the Disability Visibility Project blog she started — shared her writing and voices and the perspectives of others, Ho said.

Wong was a funny person and a hilarious writer, not an easy skill, Ho said. Her memoir “Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life” is filled with humorous snippets but also humanizes disability, Ho said.

The legacy of Wong’s work is that people with disabilities “speak for themselves and that nobody speaks for us,” Ho said.

Wong was among the 2024 class of fellows of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, recipients of the “genius grant.”