This website is under development. 

About DHACC

The Disability History and Culture Collective (DHACC) is a community of people and organizations committed to identifying, preserving, and connecting disability history, culture and rights. We work from a disability justice framework, meaning that how we do this work matters as much as what we do: who is included, whose knowledge is centered, and who has access.

Disability history and culture exist in archives, museums, libraries, private collections, oral histories, and community memory. Much of it is scattered, underfunded, hard to find, and at risk of being lost. 

DHACC exists to change that.

What We Do

We build connections, community, and collaborations around disability history and culture preservation. Our work includes mapping the landscape of collections and archives, hosting and promoting community events, mentoring young people with disabilities interested in history and cultural preservation, and building a network of people and organizations doing this work.

Events and community programming

DHACC partners with I Love You-Lead On (ILYLO) to co-host presentations, conversations, and gatherings that bring disability history and culture into the community. These events are designed to be accessible and to build relationships across the field.

For upcoming and past events: DisabilityHistoryCultureCollective.org/events  

Background:

The Disability History and Culture Collective (DHACC) formed following the March 4, 2023 death of disability rights activist Judy Heumann. She was a long-time advocate for preserving and celebrating disability history and culture, and her commitment to that work shaped the founding of this collective. We carry her legacy forward, building the infrastructure and community that this field requires.

Support our work: 

DHACC is seeking funds to expand our online resources, conduct community listening sessions, and proactively make our meetings and events accessible to all.

To support our work: ILoveYou-LeadOn.com/donate

DHACC Steering Committee 

Conveners: Ashten Vassar and Susan Fitzmaurice

Recorder: Alice Wershing

Treasurer: Patricia Chadwick