RAUSCHENBERG Robert [Milton Raschenberg], 1925-present, (dyslexia)
American artist among the most important in pop art. Uses sophisticated techniques of photomontage and silk-screening. His collages are called "combines" and include "Gloria" 1956 and Summer Rental 1960. He championed the theory that the essential nature of creativity is not in the object produced but in the concept and the process of creation.
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REAGAN Ronald, 1911-present, (hearing impairment),
40^th President of the United States. 1981-1989. Also served two terms as governor of California. In 1932 he became a radio announcer for WOC in Davenport IA and later WHO in Des Moines IA. In 1937 he signed a contract with Warner Brothers and his first film was Love is on the Air.
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REEVE Christopher, 1952-present, (physical impairment),
American actor best known for title role of Superman in 1983 and 1987. Paralyzed in horseback riding accident 1995. Campaigns for spinal cord injury research.
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REILLY Charles Nelson, 1931-present, (speech impairment),
American comedian, won Tony for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying 1961, television game shows, situation comedies and varieties.
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RENO Janet, 1938-present, (neuromuscular),
First female to serve as United States Attorney General 1993. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the late 1990s.
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RICKENBACKER Eddie, 1890-1973, (learning disability),
Leading US air ace in World War I 1914-1918. He shot down 22 enemy planes and four balloons. Before World War II he inspected American air bases and his plane was shot down. He survived on a raft for 24 days.
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ROBERTS Ed, 1939-1995, (polio),
At age 14 Ed contracted poliomyelitis. He also used an iron lung at night. Ed was the first quadriplegic ever enrolled at the University of California at Berkeley. He graduated with a BA and Masters degree in political science and later a Ph.D. In 1969 he was invited to act as consultant to the Special Students Program within the US office of Education in Washington DC. He wrote the guidelines with references to students with disabilities. In 1972 he obtained federal funding to start the center for Independent Living. In 1984 Ed received money from various Awards. With this money he started the World Institute on Disability which is based in Oakland California. (WID) brings together experts on every aspect of disability to help formulate social policy. He was president of WID until his death in 1995.
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ROCKEFELLER Nelson, 1908-1979, (learning disability),
Vice President of the United States from 1974-1977. He was severely dyslexic. He filled a vacancy that was created when Vice President, Gerald Ford succeeded Richard Nixon who had resigned as President.
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ROOSEVELT Franklin Delano, 1882-1945, (polio),
The 32^nd President of the United States and promised to create jobs for the unemployed and gave assistance to those in need. Suffered with polio and worked very hard to hide the extent of his disability.
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ROREM Ned, 1923-present, (speech impairment)
American composer. Won 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Bicentennial Commission, Air Music, published many diaries.
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ROUSSO Harilyn, 1946-present, (cerebral palsy),
When she was a little girl taking piano lessons, she was frustrated by many pieces she played. The part for the right hand was always the most complex, her left hand had more coordination. To solve this situation she crossed her hands and played right hand parts with her left hand and left hand parts with her right hand. She attended and graduated from Brandeis University in economics. While in Washington Harilyn got involved in the growing women's movement. She came to realize that women and disabilities need attention and she spoke a lot on both issues. In 1980 she stared a program called Networking Project for disabled Women and Girls. This was sponsored by the New York YMCA. In 1988 Harilyn edited a book to young people, Disabled, Female and Proud.
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RUDOLPH Wilma, 1940-1994, (polio),
At the age of four, after a series of illnesses and polio Wilma regained her health. Her left leg was paralyzed. With physical therapy she regained the use of her leg. In 1957 Wilma enrolled at Tennessee State University and she qualified for the Olympic Team. In 1960 she went to the Olympics in Rome Italy and won the women's 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash and ran he last leg of the 400 meter relay. In February 1961 Wilma entered the Milbrose Games, and indoor tack meet field a New York Madison Square Gardens. These games are restricted to males only, so Wilma was the first woman to be invited to participate in 30 years. She received he 1961 Sullivan Award, an honor received for America's most outstanding amateur athlete of the year.
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RUFF Charles, 1939-present, (physical impairment),
Trial lawyer for organized crime and racketeering section of the Justice Department, 1967-1969. Attorney in charge Labor and Gambling unit, 1969-1970, Chief Management and Labor Secretary Criminal Division of Justice Department, 1970-, Editor of African Law Journal 1966. He is currently the Council for the President of the United States. After graduating from Columbia Law School, and his wife, Susan, went to teach law in Liberia in 1963. While there, Ruff came down with a mysterious flu-like illness that parlayed his legs. He has used a wheelchair every since.
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RUSSELL Harold, 1914-1999, (amputee),
Actor and soldier. A defective blasting cap cost him both hands while demonstrating explosives assembly. During his stay in the Army hospital a movie crew came to do a documentary on a soldier's rehabilitation after loosing his hands called Diary of a Sergeant. This caught the attention of Samuel Goldwyn who cast Russell in his movie The Best Years of Our Lives in the role of an amputee struggling to adjust to civilian life. Won best supporting actor award 1946 as well as a second special Academy Award for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans. Only actor ever to win two Oscars for the same role. He started speaking to veteran groups and civic organizations about racial discrimination. In 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him as Chairman of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped which worked to educate employers about he capabilities of disabled people. It is still going on today.
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RYAN, Leilani, 1945-present, (polio),
Disabled in 1954 with polio one month before the polio vaccine came out. She is currently a Rehabilitation Counselor.
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