May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month—a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of people of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander descent.
This month was chosen to commemorate two important milestones in American history: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869- an achievement made possible in large part by the labor of Chinese immigrants.
AAPI Heritage Month aims to promote awareness and appreciation of the challenges AAPI communities have faced while celebrating the value they add to our broader communities—both of which are essential to inclusion, a core value at ACANY and LIFEPlan.
This month, we highlight and celebrate AAPI disability advocates whose leadership, advocacy, and lived experiences are shaping a more equitable and accessible world.
Sandy Ho
Sandy Ho is a community-organizer, activist, and policy researcher with a focus on disability justice and intersectionality.
- Worked as a disability policy researcher at Brandeis University’s Community Living Policy Center, leading disability-led research to strengthen community-based supports and services.
- Recognized as a White House “Champion of Change”, Longmore Lecturer, and Disability Futures Fellow.
- Founded the Disability and Intersectionality Summit, a national conference that uplifts the experiences of disabled people of color.
- Selected as a member of the inaugural 2023 Obama Foundation USA Leaders program.
- Currently serves as Executive Director of the Disability & Philanthropy Forum and previously served as Program Director of the Disability Inclusion Fund at Borealis Philanthropy.
Jennifer Kumiyama
Jennifer Kumiyama is a vocalist, actress, and disability rights advocate committed to advancing representation both on and off the stage.
- Made history as the first wheelchair user to perform on a Disney stage in Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at Disney California Adventure.
- Crowned Ms. Wheelchair California 2010, an experience that sparked her passion for advocacy and public service.
- Appointed Chair of California’s Citizens’ Advisory Commission.
- Voices Dahlia in Disney’s animated film Wish.
- Serves as Long Beach’s Citywide Accessibility Coordinator, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) across infrastructure, programs, and services.
Miso Kwak
Miso Kwak is a policy analyst and advocate working to advance inclusion and equity for people with disabilities.
- Co-founded Disability Disclosed, Harvard University’s inaugural student publication focused on disability, during her time at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
- Served as an Equity and Inclusion Fellow, leading trainings to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the university and surrounding communities.
- Author of More Than What Eyes See: A children’s book about blindness.
- Worked as project coordinator for the National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS), an initiative of the Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- PhD student in Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.