A New Home, The Same Heart
Founded at SFSU in 1996, The Paul K. Longmore Center has been a national leader in disability scholarship and public education. In 2025, the institute transitioned to The Arc San Francisco, where it continues its mission to amplify voices in the disability community and challenge societal perceptions through cultural programming, academic collaboration, and community partnerships.
Melissa Crisp-Cooper, Associate Director of Participant Experience at The Arc San Francisco, will serve as the primary point of contact for the Longmore Center, helping coordinate joint programming and community engagement efforts with SFSU.
“People with developmental disabilities are often left out of advocacy movements and disconnected from the history of disability rights and justice,” said Crisp-Cooper. “We want to make landmark moments like the 504 Sit-In and the ADA accessible to our participants; not just through plain language but through mentorship, pride, and programs designed with their needs in mind. This partnership is about helping our community see themselves in the fight for an inclusive future.”
