Rebecca Williford

A blue gradient background with navy text has “The D-30 Disability Impact List” at the top centered above “2023 Honoree” which is in between two laurels. The words “Rebecca Williford, USA” are to the left of a picture of Rebecca, which fills the right. Rebecca is a White woman with dark curly hair sitting in a power wheelchair. She is wearing a red dress and black blazer smiling. At the bottom, “Diversability, #D30DisList.” fills the left corner.

Rebecca Williford (She/her/hers)

President and Chief Executive Officer of Disability Rights Advocates

United States

As President & CEO of Disability Rights Advocates, Rebecca Williford leads the charge nationwide to ensure that the rights of the disability community are enforced through advocacy & legal action. Rebecca is a disabled attorney leading systemic disability rights litigation which is very important for the disability community, and is one of the few disabled people doing so. As a law student, she co-founded the National Association of Law Students with Disabilities to help create needed community and support for this population, and as an attorney today works hard to create community within the profession. 

Her work leading disability rights impact litigation is a critical piece of the disability rights movement. It has resulted in multiple precedents such as this case which required that New York City adopt emergency preparedness plans that include people with all types of disabilities at all phases of emergencies, ensuring that no one is left behind because of their disability

Under Rebecca's leadership at the DRA, there have been accessibility improvements nationwide. For example, an agreement that will dramatically change what it means to have a mobility disability in New York City, ensuring elevator installation in subway stations. She also secured a settlement to ensure that Californians who are deaf and have intellectual and developmental disabilities receive effective communication through accommodations such as sign language interpreters and video phones.