Hugh Gallagher (advocate)

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Hugh Gallagher (1932–2004) was an American author and disability advocate. He was born in Palo Alto, California, and grew up in Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C. He contracted polio in 1952 at age 19 while studying at Haverford College. Gallagher helped draft the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, which required buildings funded with federal money to be accessible to people with disabilities; the act later became law. He graduated in 1956 from what is now Claremont McKenna College in California and then received a Marshall Scholarship to Oxford University, earning the equivalent of a master’s degree in political science, philosophy and economics. Bob Dole later praised Gallagher for bringing disability issues onto the national congressional agenda for the first time. Gallagher lived in Cabin John, Maryland, and died of cancer in Washington, D.C., on July 13, 2004, at age 71. The Hugh Gallagher Award, created by Peter Kovler, honors his work educating the public about injustices, promoting understanding among diverse groups, and encouraging people to think about end-of-life choices. The award is given annually by Compassion & Choices.