Charlie Carr is an authentic disability rights pioneer who has been active in the independent living and disability rights community for over 40 years. He was institutionalized for seven years in his youth and fought his way out by cofounding the Boston Center for Independent Living in 1974. He went on to start his own Independent Living Center, the Northeast Independent Living Program in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1980, growing it into a nationally recognized leader in independent living services.

In 2007, Charlie entered public service and served as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission until 2015. Since 2016, he has served as Legislative Liaison for the Disability Policy Consortium, where he works to advance legislation impacting people with disabilities, with a focus on healthcare, civil rights, and long-term services and supports. Through this role, he continues to shape policy and advocate for the full inclusion and rights of people with disabilities.