Ed Roberts (1939–1995) is widely known as the father of the Independent Living movement. After contracting polio at age 14 and becoming reliant on a wheelchair and an iron lung, he went on to challenge barriers facing people with disabilities. Roberts was the first student with severe disabilities to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where he co-founded the first Center for Independent Living. His leadership and advocacy inspired the creation of Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) across the United States, ensuring that people with disabilities have a voice in shaping policies that affect their lives. Roberts’ vision was rooted in empowerment, self-determination, and equality, and his legacy continues to guide disability rights today. 

Ed Roberts sometimes said he didn’t like the term “independent living” because it made it sound like people had to do everything alone.

He would often explain it this way:

“I don’t think independent living means doing things alone; it means being in control of your life, having the right to make choices, and getting the support you need.”

In some of his talks, he even joked that it should really be called “interdependent living” — because everyone, disabled or not, depends on others in some way.