As the REV UP movement marks a decade of national impact, disability advocates across the United States are reflecting on the origins, growth, and future of an initiative that has fundamentally transformed political participation for people with disabilities. Founded in 2016 by grassroots activists in Texas, REV UP—which stands for "Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power!"—has evolved from a localized strategy into a powerful national coalition. In celebrating ten years of driving civic engagement, the movement is spotlighting key leaders whose lifelong dedication has shaped its trajectory, none more prominently than Helena Berger, former President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and current co-Chair of REV UP Virginia.
Berger’s footprint on the disability rights and voting access landscape spans decades, rooted in an unwavering commitment to political and economic empowerment. After stepping down from her role as President and CEO of AAPD, Berger chose to continue her service to the organization and the broader community in a deeply impactful way by taking on leadership at the state level with REV UP Virginia. Long before her tenure as co-Chair, Berger played an instrumental role in elevating REV UP from a regional project into a unified national force. Under her leadership, AAPD embraced the initiative, integrating it directly into the organization’s core mission to build lasting political and economic power for people with disabilities nationwide.
The expansion of REV UP from a single state-based effort into a sweeping national initiative can be traced back to a pivotal encounter in Austin, Texas. Berger recalls meeting Bob Kafka, the founder of REV UP Texas, at a conference in the city. During their discussions, the vision of taking the grassroots framework national began to take shape. Kafka subsequently brought the idea to fellow leaders involved in REV UP Texas, laying the groundwork for a broader strategy. To effect meaningful, systemic change, Kafka maintained that the disability community needed to establish itself as a formidable voting bloc capable of swinging election outcomes and directly influencing public policy.
For Bob, REV UP was envisioned as a critical national organizing tool designed to harness the collective power of the disability vote, driving systemic change and shaping a vastly better future for disabled citizens, Berger notes. This foundational philosophy of collective political strength has remained a guiding beacon for the movement ever since, informing how organizers approach voter mobilization, candidate accountability, and legislative advocacy across the country.
Berger’s profound devotion to disability advocacy and voting rights stems from a career built over many years in government affairs and public policy. Her professional journey began with the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association—an institution now known as the United Spinal Association—where she first immersed herself in the intricacies of disability rights advocacy. Throughout her career, she drew immense inspiration from trailblazers within AAPD, including visionary efforts led by Jim Dixon to strengthen the nascent disability voting rights movement. Today, Berger has brought that rich well of experience back to the state level, pouring her passion and expertise into building REV UP Virginia into a robust, localized force for change.
At its core, the REV UP model relies heavily on a deeply interconnected network of state-based coalitions composed of diverse disability organizations, dedicated advocates, and grassroots leaders. For Berger, this collaborative structure is not merely helpful; it is an absolute necessity. She describes coalition-building as an essential mechanism for building broad consensus, sharing invaluable knowledge, learning from mutual experiences, and establishing an effective grassroots organizing tool that provides a reliable pathway for community mobilization.
This vital work, Berger emphasizes, is rarely accomplished overnight. Instead, it is typically an incremental process deeply rooted in the realities of state and local change. The tenacity and persistence required for successful grassroots coalition building have deeply shaped Berger’s perspective as a leader. Reflecting on the early days of establishing REV UP Virginia, she acknowledges that the path was not always smooth or easy. However, looking back over the years, seeing the coalition expand its reach and witnessing the tangible impact of its work has been an extraordinarily gratifying experience. Starting from the ground up and building an initiative that possessed the genuine capacity for organic growth has been deeply meaningful, she shares.
Since officially launching in April 2021, REV UP Virginia has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its active membership to nearly 30 organizational partners while significantly broadening its calendar of events and advocacy campaigns. Berger points to several major milestones and accomplishments that fill her with pride, including the organization of high-profile events during Disability Voting Rights Week, the hosting of impactful press conferences and candidate forums, and the substantial enhancement of the coalition’s digital footprint, highlighted by the official launch of their dedicated website. Helena reflects that with steady guidance and support from AAPD’s national REV UP team, the Virginia coalition has successfully reinforced its organizational infrastructure and deepened its community impact with each passing year.
Beyond voter registration and educational campaigns, the advocacy efforts spearheaded by REV UP Virginia have translated directly into tangible, landmark policy changes. In Virginia, one of the most persistent and significant barriers historically faced by disabled voters centered around voting rights for individuals placed under guardianship. Previously, individuals living under guardianship in the state were widely presumed by the electoral system to be ineligible to cast a ballot. Through targeted, relentless advocacy efforts led by REV UP Virginia alongside key organizational partners, critical legislation designed to dismantle this discriminatory barrier was officially introduced in 2025 and signed into law in 2026.
That new law explicitly establishes that simply being a person with a disability, or an individual living under a guardianship arrangement, does not automatically mean that a person loses their right to vote, Berger explains. Under the updated statute, the legal presumption is now entirely reversed. The legislation ensures that when a disabled person is assigned a guardian, their fundamental voting rights are automatically maintained unless specific, substantive explanations are presented to a court demonstrating why those rights must be curtailed. This sweeping legal shift represents a monumental step forward in expanding electoral access and affirming the legal rights and autonomy of disabled voters across the Commonwealth.
For Berger, these legislative and community victories are firmly anchored in a broader, foundational belief about civic engagement and its indispensable role in the ongoing struggle for disability power. Voting is a fundamental right inherent to democratic societies, she asserts, and it is a privilege that should never be taken lightly. Furthermore, she places strong emphasis on the critical necessity of ensuring that the disability community is fully and authentically included in broader, mainstream civic efforts and political movements. It is vitally important that mainstream voting organizations and other entities dedicated to building political power recognize the necessity of making the disability community an integral part of their coalitions, she notes.
When offering guidance and perspective to emerging leaders within the disability rights movement, Berger draws directly from the core values that have sustained her motivation and resilience through decades of advocacy. With patience and persistence, we are going to get through this, she advises, emphasizing that structural change requires endurance. Just as importantly, she reminds advocates that it is essential to celebrate the wins, both big and small, along the way.
Through her extensive leadership with REV UP Virginia and her foundational role in helping to elevate REV UP to the national stage, Helena Berger exemplifies how strategic coalition-building, persistent advocacy, and a commitment to incremental progress can pave the way toward a more inclusive, fully accessible democracy for all.
