SF-based disability justice advocate and 2024 MacArthur “Genius” Award-winner Alice Wong died Friday at 51. Wong founded the Disability Visibility Project, served on the Obama-era National Council on Disability, and wrote the best-selling memoir, Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life.

As the Chronicle reports, Alice Wong, a prolific writer, advocate, and beacon of light in the social justice world, died Friday of an infection at UCSF hospital. Wong was born with muscular dystrophy and used a powered wheelchair, as well as devices to help her breath, eat, and communicate.

When Wong was born, doctors said she likely wouldn’t live beyond the age of 18, which she said limited her early worldview in ways that ultimately pushed her toward disability justice work. She speaks about this in the below Bloomberg interview (hat tip, 48 Hills).

“Doctors told my parents I wouldn’t live past 18, so I grew up never imagining what grownup old ass Alice would look like, and this is why visibility, being able to tell our stories and controlling our own narratives, is why I do what I do,” Wong said during a 2024 summit, per the Chronicle.

As NPR reports, Wong grew up in the Midwest with immigrant parents from Hong Kong and attended public schools where she was typically the only disabled or Asian American student — or both, which forced her to learn to advocate for herself very early in life.

She moved to San Francisco in 1997 to attend school at the University of California San Francisco where she received her master’s degree in medical sociology, per the Chronicle. She later worked as a staff research associate at UCSF for ten years — while also advocating for disability justice.

Per the Chronicle, when Wong first attended UCSF, the school had to build a living space for her in a professor’s garage, as there was no accessible housing at the university at the time. Wong wrote in her 2022 memoir, Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life, she struggled to attend classes due to the school’s lack of accessibility. She was forced to take a break before eventually graduating in 2004. The Chronicle notes that Wong later advised the school on improving its accessibility.

In 2014, Wong created the Disability Visibility Project, a storytelling platform and community amplifying disabled people and disability culture, in partnership with the StoryCorps series.

Per NPR, Wong was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Council on Disability from 2013 to 2015. She made history in 2015 when she was the first person to visit the White House via a robot “surrogate.” She attended President Obama’s reception celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act using the telepresence robot, BeamPro, which enables the user to control its movements with their computer while projecting their face onto a video monitor, per Popular Science.

Additionally, Wong was a regular columnist for Teen Vogue, published her 2022 memoir to critical acclaim, and edited a series of anthologies showcasing disabled voices. In 2024, Wong served as a MacArthur “Genius” Award fellow, per SFist, where she utilized her expertise to raise the political and cultural visibility of disabled people and expand how disability is understood.

Most recently, Wong co-partnered with NYC-based artist Finnegan Shannon on a public art project called Disabled Rage, according to Wong’s website.

Those wishing to help further the advancement of Wong’s legacy are invited to donate to her GoFundMe.

“As we mourn the incomprehensible loss of Alice, we share the words she gifted us with from her memoir, Year of the Tiger. ‘The real gift any person can give is a web of connective tissue. If we love fiercely, our ancestors live among and speak to us through these incandescent filaments glowing from the warmth of memories,’” Wong’s family wrote on social media, per NPR.

“I have so many dreams that I wanted to fulfill and plans to create new stories for you. There are a few in progress that might come to fruition in a few years if things work out,” Wong wrote in a social media post, published after her death. “I did not ever imagine I would live to this age and end up a writer, editor, activist, and more.”

“As a kid riddled with insecurity and internalized ableism, I could not see a path forward. 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,” she continued. “We need more stories about us and our culture. You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment. Our wisdom is incisive and unflinching.”

“Alice Wong was a hysterical friend, writer, activist and disability justice luminary whose influence was outsized,” wrote Wong’s friend and fellow activist Sandy Ho, per NPR. “Her media empire, the Disability Visibility Project, left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of our country. The legacy of her work will carry on.”

Image: Alice Wong/Facebook

Previously: SF Disability Justice Activist Alice Wong Wins MacArthur 'Genius' Grant, as Does Cabaret Star Justin Vivian Bond

Kevin Ortiz, a wheelchair-user and content creator documenting his cross-country tour of NFL stadiums, had trouble obtaining ADA-compliant seats at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers say they’ll fix their policy but already have a track record — a 2020 class action settlement and a pending 2023 suit.

As KRON4 reports, influencer and disability advocate Kevin Ortiz recently visited Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the 49ers game against the Atlanta Falcons and was initially unable to obtain wheelchair-accessible seating. In one of his videos about his visit, Ortiz was told that 90% of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant seats at Levi’s are purchased by season ticket holders who typically resell them for quadruple the price.

Ortiz says that most stadiums reserve a certain amount of ADA seats, which are made available on a first come, first serve basis the day of the game. He said he usually has success buying a regular same-day ticket and exchanging it for a wheelchair-accessible ticket at the stadium, which worked for him at the previous ten games he attended this season.

When Ortiz and his companion, content creator and disability advocate Kerry Peterson, who also uses a wheelchair, arrived at the stadium, they were initially told the game was completely sold out and the venue would likely be unable to accommodate them by exchanging their tickets. After some pushback in person and through his Instagram account, the pair were eventually given seats — in an empty ADA section reserved for “TV,” with no film crew to be found.

While the stadium says it’s working to improve its policy on ADA seating, commenters on Ortiz’s posts led SFist to two recent lawsuits against the venue on the matter. In 2020, the stadium agreed to a $24 million settlement in a class action lawsuit, with one of the terms stipulating that ADA seats be made available for purchase online so “Class Members will not be required to visit the 49ers football stadium box office in person in order to buy tickets.”

The stadium is also currently involved in another pending ADA lawsuit, which it unsuccessfully tried to have dismissed last year.

In his first video in the series, Ortiz said he wants to be the first person with a spinal cord injury to attend all 32 NFL games in one season. (Side Note: There are currently 30 full-time stadiums in the NFL as opposed to 32, as the New York teams share MetLife Stadium, and Los Angeles shares SoFi Stadium.)

He says his motivation for doing the series is to shed light on the obstacles wheelchair-users face when attending NFL games and to challenge teams to improve their customer service and seating policies for guests with disabilities.

Image: SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: A general view inside Levi's  Stadium ahead of the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the  Atlanta Falcons on October 19, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo  by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

This week’s Field Notes: Local staycation ideas, mahjong nights in a historic church, Black Oakland’s future at OMCA, indie musicians reviving Contra Costa, and SF’s new Disability Cultural Center. Plus, the Tenderloin Museum turns 10, a youth poetry call, and an East Bay trail to explore.

Tourist for the weekend

Why fight traffic out of town when you could ride a cable car to dinner instead? This local staycation guide suggests leaning into San Francisco’s charm with an overnight at the Beacon Grand, dumplings at House of Nanking, oysters and negronis at Hog Island, vinyl hunting at Tunnel Records, and a sunset cocktail at Charmaine’s. — Eater SF

Reclaiming the future: Black spaces at OMCA

A new exhibit at the Oakland Museum of California explores Black life in the East Bay through past, present, and future. Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain features archival photos, personal artifacts, and visionary installations from architect June Grant, artist Adrian Burrell, and community groups like Moms 4 Housing.

Through stories of displacement and resilience — from Russell City to West Oakland, the exhibition contemplates what Black Oakland could look like in the year 3000. On view through March 1, 2026. — Oaklandside

Calling all young poets

Applications are now open for San Francisco’s newly relaunched Youth Poet Laureate program. Local teens ages 13–19 can apply to join a cohort of rising literary voices, with regular workshops led by 826 Valencia and Youth Speaks, performance opportunities, and a $700 scholarship.

Two students will be named Youth Poet Laureate and Vice Laureate, serving as cultural ambassadors alongside the City’s Poet Laureate and Drag Laureate. The deadline to apply is August 9. — SF Public Library

Skywatchers bring art, power, and protest to the Tenderloin

Skywatchers, a collective of Tenderloin-based artists uses movement, music, and sculpture to share stories of survival, ancestry, and resistance.

Their performances, often staged in parks and alleyways, challenge systemic neglect while cultivating joy, solidarity, and visibility in a neighborhood too often ignored. — Mission Local

Showering SF streets with spontaneous kindness

On July 31, a crew of “kindness ambassadors” will roam the streets of San Francisco handing out flowers, singing songs, sharing art, and offering spontaneous moments of support — from compliments and notes to real-time help.

The grassroots event invites anyone to join. Learn more or sign up to participate. — Kindness Crawl

Tiles, talks & tradition: Mahjong Night at Saint Joseph’s

Mahjong Night happens monthly at Saint Joseph’s Arts Society, a creative hub inside a beautifully restored historic church in San Francisco’s South of Market district. July’s event will feature founder of The Mahjong Project and author Nicole Wong.

Beginners can sign up for guided instruction (limited spots). Beer and wine available. Signed copies of Nicole’s book Mahjong: House Rules from Across the Asian Diaspora will be on sale. — The Third Place

Exploring the East Bay Skyline Trail

The East Bay Skyline Trail stretches nearly 33 miles from Richmond to Castro Valley, offering sweeping Bay views, volcanic landscapes, redwood groves, and rolling hills. While some tackle the full route in a day, most break it into seven scenic segments to savor the sights without wearing themselves out.

Highlights include wildflower-covered ridges at Wildcat Canyon, panoramic vistas from Inspiration Point, volcanic remnants at Sibley Preserve, and cool redwood forests near MacDonald Gate. Wildlife sightings might include coyotes, hawks, and wild turkeys. — Bay Area News Group

San Francisco’s new Disability Cultural Center opens

San Francisco’s first Disability Cultural Center officially opened on Thursday, offering a unique public space dedicated to rest, community, and celebration of disability culture. Located across from City Hall, the center hosts accessible movement classes, poetry workshops, support groups, and hybrid events that combine in-person and livestream participation.

Designed with thoughtful amenities like weighted blankets, accessible seating, and open-air patios, the center aims to be a restorative haven for disabled people facing daily ableism and barriers.

Co-founder Emily Beitiks emphasizes the center’s goal to reshape how disability is understood through arts and connection, providing a restorative space where disabled people can thrive and organize. — KQED

Indie musicians find a home in Crockett and Port Costa

Out along the Carquinez Strait, Contra Costa’s rusty industrial towns are quietly becoming a haven for Bay Area indie musicians. With venues like Toot’s Tavern, studios like Bubudzuki, and throwback vibes from co-mayor-cowboy Mitch Polzak, the scene here mixes old-school charm with a refreshingly DIY spirit.

More than just nostalgia — they're building something new where artists can afford to create, perform, and actually be heard. — 7x7

Tenderloin Museum marks 10 years of telling its own story

Ten years ago, people scoffed when Randy Shaw proposed a museum about San Francisco’s Tenderloin — “What are you making a museum about, drug use and prostitution?” But today, the Tenderloin Museum is a vital cultural hub and neighborhood beacon.

Under Executive Director Katie Conry, it has become known for immersive events like a reenactment of the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, a growing neon sign district, and programming that spotlights local artists, musicians, and activists.

The museum just celebrated its anniversary with a jazz concert at the Great American Music Hall and will soon break ground on an expansion that triples its size and adds exhibits on Indian American migration and neon art.

In a neighborhood that’s too often reduced to headlines, the museum continues to amplify stories of community, resilience, and joy. — NBC Bay Area

Top Image: Kenny Playing Sax at the De Luxe Inn in Oakland, 1983; Michelle Vignes, Collection of the Oakland Museum of California, Dorothea Lange Award

Previously: Field Notes: Valkyries Podcast, Audium’s 50th Anniversary, Hidden Alcatraz, and Bandaloop

This week's notable humans are Maya Merhige, a Berkeley teen who completed her fourth Oceans Seven swim; Tim Friede, whose work self-injecting snake venom has aided crucial antivenom research; and Brighid Kohl, creator of an innovative anti-bullying and leadership program at her college.

Berkeley teen Maya Merhige spent 14 hours crossing New Zealand’s Cook Strait last month — stung by jellyfish every few seconds, swimming 27 miles through pitch-black seas, and pushing her body to the edge of collapse. It was the latest in her quest to become the youngest person ever to complete the Oceans Seven, a marathon swimming challenge that spans some of the world’s most dangerous waters.

At just 17, Merhige has already crossed the English Channel, the Moloka’i Channel, the Catalina Channel, and now the Cook Strait — four of the seven swims required to join the elite club. All with just a swimsuit, a support boat, and whatever mental grit she could summon.

She swam mostly at night, not just to avoid sunburn, but because she preferred not seeing the jellyfish — which struck her face, lips, and ears every few strokes. “Out of sight, out of mind,” she told CNN. “They’re not there if you can’t see them.”

Despite battling injury, hallucinations, and terrifying sea life — including sharks and whales — Merhige says the ocean is where she feels most herself. She’s used her swims to raise over $130,000 for pediatric cancer research and plans to finish the Oceans Seven by 2028, even as she heads to college on a pre-med track.

“There are kids in hospitals right now getting chemo,” she says. “If they can get through that, I can keep swimming.”

Bay Area transplant Tim Friede has spent two decades putting his body on the line to help save lives — by self-injecting venom from some of the world’s deadliest snakes. His goal has been to build immunity that could lead to a universal antivenom and prevent tens of thousands of snakebite deaths each year.

Friede began his experiments in Wisconsin while working as a truck mechanic. With no formal medical training but a deep interest in science, he developed a radical routine: injecting himself with venom from cobras, black mambas, and taipans. He’s survived more than 200 venom exposures — including several near-fatal encounters — and developed a rare immune response that scientists now study closely.

In 2023, Friede moved to San Francisco to collaborate with researchers at UCSF, who are analyzing his blood in hopes of developing more accessible antivenoms. “I do this so others don’t have to,” he told National Geographic, which profiled him in a recent documentary. “Snakebite is one of the most neglected global health issues out there.”

Snakebites kill more than 100,000 people each year, mostly in rural areas without access to region-specific treatments. Current antivenoms are expensive, fragile, and species-specific — making Friede’s vision of a broad-spectrum alternative especially urgent.

Now partnered with leading scientists, Friede is transforming decades of self-experimentation into data that could revolutionize antivenom — proving that even the most unconventional paths can lead to lifesaving breakthroughs.

Brighid Kohl, who’s autistic and has a stutter, created the “You Are Not Alone” (YANA) program at the College of Adaptive Arts (CAA) in Saratoga, which helps combat bullying and isolation. Inspired by a Canadian YouTuber’s anti-bullying campaign, Kohl wanted to offer a space for students who felt alone or bullied. She pitched the idea to the CAA administration through a PowerPoint presentation, and not only was the program approved, but Kohl was also asked to help lead it.

The weekly YANA class fosters a supportive environment where students check in with each other, engage in conversations, and share heart gestures if someone is feeling down. Kohl's leadership has had a significant impact on the class, helping students build stronger social skills, emotional resilience, and a sense of empowerment. In addition to her role in the class, Kohl has become an associate professor at CAA, where students are encouraged to take on leadership roles, including teaching and administrative positions.

Kohl’s work at CAA has not only improved the experience for her peers but has also highlighted the value of inclusive education. Her leadership in the YANA program and role as an associate professor are examples of the opportunities CAA provides for students with disabilities to take on meaningful roles and contribute to the community.

CAA remains focused on supporting students in achieving their academic and personal goals, offering an environment where students can develop social, emotional, and professional skills. Kohl’s story is a testament to the impact of an inclusive educational approach that recognizes the potential in every student, regardless of disability.

Image via Instagram

Previously: Notable Humans: Thomas Bennett’s Dedication To Miyako Ice Cream And The Fillmore Community

While some of you might pretend not to notice the occasional elderly person giving you puppy eyes in order to snag your sweet disability seat on Muni or BART, few of us would go so far as to ignore someone on crutches. Here are a few who do.The creator of peoplewhositinthedisabilityseatswhenimstandingonmycrutches.com, explains his site like this: "I don't take pictures of anyone if there's an open seat within sight -- except for a few of those listed under the "Hall of Shame" tag. I also don't take pictures of elderly people, visibly pregnant women, or anyone who looks like they might have a disability. Of course, it's important to keep in mind that there's no way of knowing whether someone has a disability just by looking at them." Be sure to check it out. (Thanks Matty!)

SFist James sends us this photo, care of Matt Bellinger, of some packed albeit controversial Muni action that happened this afternoon during rush hour. Wheelchair man, it seems, demanded to get on per federal law and holds up train at Civic Center; Muni operator and passengers refuse to let him on. Operator was literally screaming at the guy to get out of the doorway of the packed train.

Should he have been let aboard: Y/N?