History

The Disability Cultural Center was born from the hopes and dreams of the San Francisco Disability community. The Bay Area has been the center of the disability rights movement since the early 1970’s, including the longest non-violent sit-in of a federal building by disabled activists and organizers in 1977. The Bay Area has also been a hub for disability culture, from Axis Dance and Sins Invalid to some of the earliest centers for disability arts, like NIAD, Creativity Explored, and Creative Growth. 

After decades of organizing for disability rights and Disability Justice, we wanted a place we could call our own. A space built around care and interdependence. A space for joy and venting. A space where we can be and celebrate our full and beautiful selves together and unapologetically.  

This is the first city-funded disability cultural center in the country. Our dream is to use this space, both virtual and in-person, as a container to showcase the incredible work of disabled leaders in our community. We know the importance of preserving and passing down our culture, and this is our way of doing just that.