Justin Dart: Defender of Justice

Submitted by admin [1] on Sat, 06/01/2002 - 03:00

Justin Dart, Jr., a renowned human rights activist died at his home on June 22, 2002. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the disability community, and the nation lost a true friend, advocate, and patriot.

Dart had been a steadfast NAD member for decades. He and his wife Yoshiko contributed to the NAD to promote, protect, and preserve the quality of life of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. NAD Executive Director Nancy J. Bloch said, "The NAD lost a vigilant supporter and true friend–but his legacy lives on in the hearts of the millions of lives he has touched and empowered."

Dart proudly wore his NAD pin on his jacket everywhere he went. In a recent letter to the NAD, Dart said, "There are no words to communicate the depth of my respect for you [NAD]. I have worn my NAD pin everyday for more than 20 years. I have had five Presidential appointments. On every occasion they asked me to take off the NAD pin and wear the pin of the Presidential agency. Every time, I said, 'If you want me, you get the NAD pin."

Dart became a wheelchair user after a bout with polio in his late teens. He then became a citizen solider of justice, bringing the plight of individuals with disabilities to the forefront of the nation's policy agenda and leading the fight for enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Dart labored tirelessly for the civil rights of all individuals. His advocacy reached across national and international borders and touched the lives of millions.

Devoted to each other and to empowering people with disabilities, Justin and his wife Yoshiko lived humbly and worked round the clock with thousands of others to give a voice to fairness, equality, and justice for all.

Yoshiko and Justin Dart were selected to receive the Spirit of the NAD award during the Opening Ceremonies at the 46th Biennial NAD Conference, on Wednesday evening, July 3, 2002. They were planning to attend to receive the award, despite Justin’s illness.

Justin concluded his life with his final words: "Yoshiko, beloved colleagues, I am the luckiest man in the world to have been associated with you. Thanks to you, I die free. Thanks to you, I die in the joy of struggle. Thanks to you, I die in the beautiful belief that the revolution of empowerment will go on. I love you so much. I'm with you always. Lead on! Lead on!" Justin characteristically ended every public speech expressing his love for everyone.

Justin, we all loved you and are grateful for your strength, perseverance, spirit, and integrity – you live forever in our hearts and actions.