CTD Newsletter Article

Remembering Bob Kafka The day after Christmas, our staff started receiving the somber news that a pillar of our community, Bob Kafka, had died. Bob was one of those visionary advocates who founded CTD back in the 70s, and he continued to advocate with us and with many other groups until the end of his life. For those of us at CTD today, Bob was already a civil rights legend when we got into this work. To be assigned to your first project with Bob was intimidating, but that feeling never lasted long. Bob had no interest in sitting at the top of the hierarchy. His heart was in the disability rights movement and bringing people into that work.Our Chase Bearden recalls, “One thing that Bob was really good at, and I don’t think most people even realize this, is what kind of mentor he was to people… It came natural to him. Any young person that was starting in the field of advocacy, he would spend time with, and he treated you like you were the smartest person in the room. And you don’t always get that. Usually, there’s kind of a divide between groups and ages, even within the advocacy world. But Bob seemed to always realize there was a need for bringing up the younger people, the next generations. And that was something that was extremely helpful for so many people.”While many are recalling the phrases that Bob often used—”Don’t Mourn, Organize” or “Onward!”—there’s one more we want to celebrate: “Y’all Come!” At the end of any invitation, whether it was to a rally, webinar, or party, Bob’s sign off was, unsurprisingly, warm and welcoming to all. Just a few memories of our work with Bob:
Outside the steps of a grey building, a man with puffy white hair and beard sits in a power chair and speaking into a microphone. Next to him, people are holding a banner that reads 2004, Bob speaks at a rally for independent living in Austin (one of probably hundreds during his time as an organizer).In a crowded walkway, a man with puffy white hair in a power chair is smiling and motioning to a young woman with glasses limply holding her hands out.2014, Texas Disability Issues Forum (TDIF), Bob gives some encouragement to CTD’s Laura Perna, who is almost certainly panicking about something! Photo by Alex Murphy.
A man wearing a white, decorated straw hat and rolling a power chair looks at the camera as he leads a large group of marchers carrying signs.2015, Bob leads a massive march to the Capitol for the $10 Campaign, one of countless events in support of community attendants.In a crowded room, a man with puffy white hair and beard and a woman wearing a Hawaiian shirt smile joyfully at the camera.2024, Bob at the ADAPT table at Cinema Touching Disability. He always came to celebrate the Fest with us. Photo by Michael Ward.
From local news to national organizations, the disability community has been remembering Bob and paying their respects. Here are a few pieces to read or listen to, if you haven’t already:Art Spark Texas Radio Hour, recorded Jan. 19, honoring Bob Kafka, with CTD’s Chase Bearden and former ED Dennis Borel among those sharing stories (KOOP Radio, Austin)‘Don’t mourn, organize.’ How disability rights advocate Bob Kafka helped shape Austin and the nation (KUT News, Austin)“Don’t Mourn, Organize” – AAPD Remembers Bob Kafka (American Association for People with Disabilities)Finally, ADAPT of Texas is holding a Celebration of the Life of Bob Kafka on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Austin and online. More details.