Rebecca Cokley

Rebecca Cokley is the program officer for the US Disability Rights program at the Ford Foundation. She was the cofounder and director of the Disability Justice initiative at the Center for American Progress, served as the executive director for the National Council on Disability, and oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts for the Obama administration.

Disability rights activists Judy Heumann (1947–2023) (left) and Alice Wong (1974–2025) (center), along with another person, as they talk together at the opening of the San Francisco Main Library’s “Patient No More” exhibit on June 17, 2017.

A Tribute to an Oracle, Alice Wong A Tribute to an Oracle, Alice Wong

Alice had the ability to look to the future and a world where laws and attitudes did not keep disabled people poor, pitied, and isolated.

Nov 26, 2025 / Rebecca Cokley

Lawmakers May Finally Update Strict SSI Rules That Keep Families in Poverty

Lawmakers May Finally Update Strict SSI Rules That Keep Families in Poverty Lawmakers May Finally Update Strict SSI Rules That Keep Families in Poverty

Asset limits in the program have created a system in which millions of people cannot save money for their families or their future.

Oct 2, 2023 / Rebecca Cokley

“Work Until You Die” Is Not a Retirement Plan

“Work Until You Die” Is Not a Retirement Plan “Work Until You Die” Is Not a Retirement Plan

For Judith Heumann, and countless people with disabilities, “work until you die” was the only option. It’s past time to change that.

Mar 10, 2023 / Rebecca Cokley

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