In a poignant loss to the community of disability rights advocates and beyond, Alice Wong, a prominent activist and author, has passed away at the age of 51. Her life’s work inspired countless individuals to embrace independence and champion inclusivity.

Wong’s life came to an end on Friday due to an infection, as confirmed by Sandy Ho, a close friend who has been in contact with Wong’s family. The beloved activist died in a San Francisco hospital, leaving behind a legacy of empowerment and advocacy.

Ho described Wong as a “luminary of the disability justice movement,” noting her relentless pursuit of a society where people with disabilities, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds such as people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and immigrants, could live with full autonomy and dignity.

Born to immigrant parents from Hong Kong, Wong was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Despite her physical challenges, which necessitated the use of a powered wheelchair and an assistive breathing device, Wong made significant contributions to the field of disability rights through her writing and activism.

In a heartfelt message shared on social media by Ho, Wong reflected on her unexpected journey. She expressed a deep sense of gratitude for the path her life had taken, marked by impactful writing and meaningful activism. Her words continue to inspire those committed to the cause of disability justice.

“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.”