About Us
History
The Independent Living Movement
The Whole Person exists because of the powerful work of disability rights activists who challenged the status quo and demanded change. Beginning in the mid-1960s, people with disabilities began organizing and speaking out against discrimination in housing, education, transportation, and employment. Through protests, sit-ins, and sheer determination, they transformed the way society sees disability.
How It Began
The movement began at the University of California at Berkeley in 1962 when Ed Roberts became the first person with a severe disability to be admitted to the university. By 1969, twelve students with disabilities joined forces and formed the “Rolling Quads,” who then began advocating for accessible housing and education.
When they came together, it led to the founding of the first Center for Independent Living in 1972. Thanks to the work of disability rights pioneers, there is a foundation for centers like The Whole Person.
Centers for Independent Living Provide:
Disability Rights Pioneers
Ed Roberts: “Father of Independent Living”
- Contracted polio at age 14, paralyzed from the neck down
- First student with a severe disability at UC Berkeley, developed the Physically
Disabled Students Program
Hale Zukas: Co-founder of the first Center for Independent Living
- Led efforts for accessible transportation and architectural barrier removal
- Known for his wheelchair bumper sticker: “They hate us because we’re pretty.”
Justin Dart: “Godfather of the ADA”
- Chaired Texas Governor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities
- Vice-chair of the National Council on Disability under President Reagan, instrumental in passing the ADA
Judy Heumann: “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement”
- Denied school entry at age 5 for being a “fire hazard.”
- Led the historic 26-day Section 504 Sit-In in 1977, the longest federal building occupation to date
About Our Founder
Mona Jean (Halliburton) Randolph
August 26, 1936 – February 18, 2019
“The vision has its own appointed hour, it ripens, it will flower; if it be long, then wait, for it is sure, and it will not be late.”
Although Mona had polio, she lived a rich, full, long and abundant life. Mona was known for being one of the very few polio survivors nationally still using an iron lung. However, Mona will also be remembered as an early and successful advocate for independent living by people with severe disabilities.
She was an early and longtime member of The Whole Person. She served on the board of directors for the Coalition for Independence. She was a volunteer at Abounding Love, Colonial Presbyterian Church’s ministry to persons with developmental disabilities. And, her advocacy helped bring curb cuts to Kansas City.
In 1972, Mona put her beliefs in action, and organized a household and network of personal care helpers who allowed her to live in her own home on her own terms.
The Beginnings of The Whole Person
In 1956, when Mona was 20 years old, she had a worsening headache. Light hurt her eyes. She had trouble walking, then breathing. She was rushed to Saint Luke’s hospital. It was polio. They put her in an iron lung. They saved her life.
Six months later, she was able to travel to Warm Springs, Georgia, where everything the medical staff knew was invested in her recovery. While she improved, she realized she would have to give up piano – a harder adjustment that realizing she would never walk again.
After seven months, Mona was released to go home with a wheelchair for daytime and an iron lung for night.
In 1972, Mona bought a home at 55th and Oak and graciously ministered to others. She said, “…It was sometimes hard on my nerves, but that year was good for my faith.” God kept a promise to give Mona a life partner and soul mate to marry, and we cherished and nurtured each other.
She helped form a local chapter of the National Paraplegic Foundation and within five years, they achieved two goals: compile and distribute a guide on accessibility to architects and obtain a city ordinance requiring curb cuts.
The chapter evolved into The Whole Person. I am honored to be Mona’s husband and to share some of her remarkable life’s story with TWP.
– From Mark Randolph, Mona’s Husband
Learn More About Mona
Independent Living
Timeline of Key Events
First Disabled Student at UC Berkeley
Ed Roberts becomes the first student with a severe disability admitted to the University of California, Berkeley.
“Rolling Quads”
Twelve students with disabilities, known as the “Rolling Quads,” organize at UC Berkeley and advocate for accessible housing and services.
First CIL
The first Center for Independent Living (CIL) is established in Berkeley, California, led by Ed Roberts and Judy Heumann.
Mona Jean Randolph purchases a home in Kansas City and begins a chapter of the National Paraplegic Foundation.
Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act is signed into law, authorizing funding for Independent Living Centers and programs.
Section 504
Section 504 regulations of the Rehabilitation Act are signed after the longest sit-in at a federal building in U.S. history.
Section 504 becomes the first federal civil rights protection for people with disabilities.
The Whole Person Founded
The Whole Person begins serving the Kansas City community.
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is founded, giving the movement a national advocacy voice.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is signed into law on July 26, protecting the rights of people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, and transportation.
Olmstead v. L.C.
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Olmstead v. L.C. that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is a violation of the ADA, reinforcing the right to live in the community.
WIOA
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is signed into law. It strengthens support for Independent Living Centers and redefines core services to include transition support (youth-to-adult and institutional-to-community).
Pandemic-Related Challenges
Centers for Independent Living play a key role in addressing pandemic-related challenges—advocating for accessible vaccine sites, telehealth, and equal access to emergency services.