Tom Olin is the social documentarian of the disability rights movement. He spent his life in the grassroots, building that incredible collection of iconic photos of our historic struggle for civil rights and inclusion. He started photographing the movement in 1985.
Many of you know him because he took the Road to Freedom Bus around the country twice: in 2005 (with Jim Ward) and 2014-2017 for the 25th anniversary of the ADA.
Because of his commitment to building the movement and the grassroots, he has almost never drawn a salary. He is still engaged with the independent living movement, organizing and supporting a range of projects. Amidst doing dialysis every other day, he remains very active in local, statewide, national and global disability rights and justice leadership. Please see below links for a selection of his current and past achievements.
In 2017, Tom received a new liver and we are very grateful to everyone who donated then to help with his transplant and recovery. Everyone who contributed and sent letters truly made that transplant possible.
Now, Tom is facing another serious medical hurdle as he needs a new kidney and was going for initial testing appointments in December, 2025 at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix (and is now rescheduled in February). While headed to the Mayo clinic, he was involved in a car accident. He's doing well but suffered a fractured sternum along with a totaled car. So any help with funds for a used car will be helpful.
This Go Fund Me account is for this and future expenses he will have traveling to and staying in Phoenix and the specialized care needed through the process (pre and post kidney transplant). Any funds raised that are not able to be utilized by Tom will be paid forward to another kidney transplant candidate.
Tom has spent his life connecting disabled activists, artists, young and old in ways that support us all. He reminds us that this fundraiser is to facilitate Tom keeping on with all of this important work. If you've ever been moved by his documentation of the disability rights and justice movements, this is the moment to give back. Please help spread the word and share this fundraiser. Thank you!
Selected Links:
Tom Olin Activist Photographer (Rooted in Rights Video)
Making the Movement Visible An Interview with Tom Olin on the 35th Anniversary of the ADA (City of LA Dept on Disability)
A Visual History of ADAPT's Fight for Justice The Work of Photographer Tom Olin
Liberators for Justice (Tom is on the board)