More than fifty years ago, one man looked beyond his own challenges and envisioned a world where people with disabilities would be recognized not for their limitations, but for their abilities.
That man was E.W. Mays.
A proud World War II veteran, E.W. Mays returned home carrying the physical scars of war after losing both of his legs as the result of a combat injury. While many would have understood if he had chosen a quieter life, E.W. chose something different. He chose service.
He understood firsthand that the greatest obstacles facing people with disabilities were often not physical—they were the barriers created by misunderstanding, low expectations, and a lack of opportunity.
Instead of allowing those barriers to define him, he dedicated his life to helping others overcome them.
That vision became Mays Mission for the Handicapped.
From the very beginning, E.W. Mays believed that every individual deserved the opportunity to live with dignity, purpose, and hope. He spent countless hours visiting wounded veterans in hospitals, offering encouragement to those beginning their own journeys of recovery. He understood their fears because he had lived them. More importantly, he wanted them to know that life after disability could still be filled with meaning, contribution, and joy.
His compassion extended far beyond hospitals. He believed that children with disabilities deserved the same opportunities to learn, play, and build friendships. He believed students deserved access to higher education. He believed adults deserved meaningful work and the chance to develop their talents. Above all, he believed that communities grow stronger when everyone has the opportunity to participate.
In 1969, E.W. Mays expressed that belief in a simple sentence that continues to define our organization today:
“It’s Ability, Not Disability, that counts!”
More than five decades later, those words remain as relevant as ever.
Every scholarship awarded through Mays Mission reflects his belief in education and opportunity.
Every camper who discovers confidence, friendship, and independence at summer camp carries his vision forward.
Every participant learning new workplace skills demonstrates exactly what E.W. Mays always knew—that ability flourishes when people are given the opportunity to succeed.
His legacy is not measured only by the organization he founded, but by the thousands of lives that have been touched because he chose to see possibility where others saw limitation.
Today, Mays Mission continues that work by opening doors, removing barriers, and creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to learn, grow, work, and thrive.
As we look toward the future, we remain committed to the values E.W. Mays lived every day: compassion, dignity, service, and unwavering belief in the potential of every person.
His famous words are more than a quote displayed on a wall.
They are a challenge to all of us.
To look beyond appearances.
To recognize potential.
To advocate for inclusion.
To create opportunities.
To celebrate every ability.
More than fifty years after E.W. Mays first shared his vision, we are proud to continue building upon the foundation he laid.
His legacy lives on in every life changed, every barrier broken, and every opportunity created.
Because at Mays Mission, we still believe what our founder taught us all those years ago:
It’s Ability, Not Disability, that counts.
