Disability Rights California is saddened by the loss of Lillibeth Navarro, founder and Executive Director of Communities Actively Living Independent and Free (CALIF) and co-founder of Personal Assistance Services Council (PASC) in Los Angeles. 

Navarro’s connection to the disability community was personal, stemming from the onset of polio she experienced as a baby in the Philippines. In the 1980s, as part of ADAPT, Lillibeth traveled the country demanding the use of wheelchair-accessible buses. This focus later switched to advocating for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In 2001, Lillibeth helped secure funding to start CALIF, which now serves 50 zip codes in the greater Los Angeles area. She was recognized by the former president of the Philippines for her work and advocacy in the United States and the Philippines. Navarro also served as the chair of the Accessibility Enhancement Committee for the California Commission on Disability Access. 

Her fierce advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities in California leaves a legacy that will continue forward.

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of drc is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities. For more information visit: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org.