Haskell Wong family recognizes UC Berkeley’s rich history in the disability rights movement with new endowment

March 10, 2025

by Alexander Rony

UC Berkeley has a new endowment for its disability studies program thanks to a family of alums. The Haskell Wong Endowment for Disability Studies will be seeded with $900,000 to expand instruction and research.

The endowment will ultimately provide tens of thousands of dollars for the program every year, inspiring future generations to engage in disability studies and advocacy. In addition, the family pledged $100,000 to the Disability Studies Annual Fund, allowing the program to address its most urgent needs.

“Disability is an important part of human experience and is becoming an even more common phenomenon,” said Jennifer Johnson-Hanks, the executive dean of the College of Letters & Science. “This generous gift allows us to expand how we teach about disability, so that a wider range of students can learn about this important topic.”

Disability studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the concept of disability from various social, cultural, historical, artistic, legal, and political perspectives. Faculty dissect the societal perceptions and power structures that influence the lived experiences of people whose minds or bodies deviate from societal norms. Alums who graduate from the minor program may lead rewarding careers in education, government, advocacy, social work, and public health.

Florence Wong and Andrew Haskell were motivated to give by their oldest child, Abby.

“My oldest child has developmental and medical disabilities that significantly impact her ability to be independent,” said Florence. “She inspired me to be an advocate for people with disabilities at a school district, county, and regional level. Through this advocacy, I learned about the pioneering work of Cal alum Ed Roberts and UC Berkeley’s rich history in the disability rights movement.”

In addition to Ed Roberts, other alums like Judith Heumann and Hale Zukas helped secure monumental policy victories for the disability rights movement. Many faculty members — from accessible design pioneer Ray Lifchez to civil rights scholar Jacobus tenBroek — transformed society’s approach to disability.

“As an orthopedic surgeon and the parent of a child with disabilities, I have seen the important role that individuals and institutions have on creating a fulfilling and joyful life for people that face numerous barriers and hurdles in the world,” said Andrew. “Our hope is that the Haskell Wong Endowment for Disability Studies inspires and provides resources for students and professors to consider how they can have a positive impact on the disabled community in whatever career or life path they choose.”

Andrew's parents, Ann and Barry, were excited to join the initiative to establish a disability studies program in honor of their granddaughter.

“I was the first in my family to attend college,” said Barry. “I feel Cal changed my life and opened up untold opportunities, so we have supported Cal since graduation.”

The Haskell Wong family includes three generations who have gone to UC Berkeley. Ann and Barry met at UC Berkeley in the 1960s, as did Florence and Andrew in the 1990s. Florence and Andrew’s youngest daughter, Mathilda (or “Tilly”), is a current student.

While the Haskell Wong Endowment for Disability Studies is the first endowed fund to benefit the Disability Studies Program overall, it is the second endowed gift to advance disability studies on campus. Cultural anthropologist Karen Nakamura holds the Robert and Colleen Haas Distinguished Chair in Disability Studies, an endowed faculty position. The Haskell Wong family hopes to eventually convert their endowment into an Administrative Chair for Disability Studies, which would provide additional funds to support teaching, research, programmatic, and service activities for the program and its students.