Diane Coleman: A Pioneering Disability Rights Advocate Who Transformed Social Justice

 

Diane Coleman

Diane Coleman, founder and President of Not Dead Yet, died this week, leaving behind a transformative legacy of disability rights activism that fundamentally challenged societal perceptions of disability, medical ethics, and human dignity.

Early Life and Professional Journey

Born with neuromuscular disabilities and using a powered wheelchair since age eleven, Coleman turned her personal experience into powerful advocacy. She held advanced degrees from UCLA, including a law degree and a Master's in Business Administration, which she leveraged to become a formidable legal and policy strategist.

Groundbreaking AdvocacyColeman founded Not Dead Yet in 1996, creating a national disability rights organization dedicated to opposing assisted suicide and euthanasia. Her work was characterized by fierce intellectual rigour and compassionate activism. She presented testimony before Congressional subcommittees, appeared on major national news networks, and co-authored critical legal briefs challenging discriminatory medical practices.

Professional Highlights

• Founder and CEO of Not Dead Yet
• Director of Advocacy at the Centre for Disability Rights
• Executive Director of Progress Centre for Independent Living
• Adjunct faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago (2003-2008)
• Prominent speaker and writer on disability rights

Lasting ImpactColeman's advocacy extended far beyond organizational leadership. She was instrumental in:

• Challenging Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) in healthcare
• Opposing assisted suicide legislation
• Mentoring young disability rights advocates
• Elevating marginalized voices in critical policy debates

LegacyAs the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund noted, "Diane was a force... She dedicated her life to protecting disability rights — and for that, we owe her a debt of gratitude."

Her life's work embodied a profound commitment to dignity, justice, and the inherent value of every human life, regardless of disability. Coleman did not just advocate for change; she fundamentally reshaped how society understands disability rights.

Coleman is survived by her colleagues, the disability rights community she inspired, and the countless lives she transformed through her unwavering dedication to social justice.

The Disability Rights Community across the world owes her much.