Black & white photograph of Bob Kafka
In Memoriam
Bob Kafka
Rev UP Texas mourns the loss of our founder, Bob Kafka. Bob was a pioneering force in the fight for disability rights and civil rights generally for nearly half a century. His unwavering dedication to community-integrated living and empowering disabled people to use their voices at the polls has left an indelible mark on our community and beyond. Bob believed in the collective power of disabled people to organize around issues that affected our lives, and Rev UP will continue down the path Bob cleared for us. Though we grieve for him now, we know that Bob would tell us not to mourn, but to get back out there and organize, educate, and vote!
Images of Bob engaged in advocacy…
Honor Bob Kafka's Legacy
Join us in continuing Bob Kafka’s mission. Get involved with Rev UP or advocate for disability rights in your community. Together, we can make a difference. You can also become a part of our movement by donating directly to Rev UP Texas.
Others on Bob and his work...
I’ve known Bob since the late 1980s and am grateful for his tenacity for disability justice. He was a very kind person who was very generous of his spirit. He was a public relations master, very skilled in getting the attention of the media and policy makers. He truly has changed the face of our country and millions have benefited from his hard work.”
I learned so much from Bob and benefited so much from his advocacy and leadership. REV UP would not exist without Bob.
Bob did way, way more than Money Follows the Person. He changed the way disabled people thought of voting, and made sure candidates never forgot you. Rest in power, sir.
Bob was driven by the conviction that disabled people deserve freedom, choice, dignity, and power. His ideals were not just dreams; they were a mandate, a directive that guided how he lived his life. He carried his conviction with a steady, patient, laid-back confidence.
Bob was a unique and dynamic leader in that he didn’t play just one role in the disability rights movement – he played them all.
He put his body on the line for justice – Bob was arrested over 30 times as part of the his many fights to pass landmark pieces of legislation and to protect and establish critical programs. The legislative causes for which he put his body on the line for were often eventually successful, resulting in lifts on buses and increased funding and incentives for home-and community-based services (HCBS).
Heartbroken to learn about Kafka – If heaven is not accessible, God is in big trouble.
Bob was (and will always be) an extraordinary leader in voting advocacy who profoundly strengthened the reach and impact of REV UP Georgia. Georgia’s disability voting rights work would not be where it is today without the mentorship and wisdom of Bob Kafka and Gaylon Tootle. Bob’s dynamic leadership will be deeply missed—always, but especially as we look toward the 2026 election. We will continue to “Power the Disability Vote” in his memory and honor his legacy through our work
I am heartbroken at the news of Bob Kafka’s passing. He was a genuine warrior hero fighting for equality, dignity, and justice for people with disabilities and for all. He was an inspiration and a friend from the moment I met him. He will be missed dearly.
A remarkable man has passed away – Bob Kafka, one of the greatest individuals I have known in my lifetime. The dictionary definition of ‘activist’ should be ‘Bob Kafka’
Bob and ADAPT changed the world! Without their efforts there would not be lifts on buses, there would not be home and community based services as an alternative to institutionalization…
Bob and Stephanie together taught so many others how to organize -they were tremendous leaders- you wanted to follow their lead! They made things happen – thankfully for all of us. He will be missed. Onward!