Important Accessibility History

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It is crucial for people with disabilities to have equal rights that ensure their dignity, autonomy, and full participation in society. Equal rights empower individuals with disabilities to access opportunities, resources, and services without discrimination, promoting inclusivity and social justice. Below are some of, but not all of, the different ways equality has been achieved.

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Disability Activists
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Movements and Demonstrations
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Acts and Groups
Disability Activists

Impact makers have significantly contributed to advancing disability rights by raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and inspiring societal shifts. Through sharing personal experiences, lobbying lawmakers, and serving as role models, they have brought attention to barriers, pushed for legislation, and promoted accessibility in various domains. By empowering others and leading by example, impact makers have been instrumental in driving progress toward greater inclusion, equality, and respect for individuals with disabilities. Below are some of these individuals.

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Judith Heumann
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Brad C. Lomax
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Edward Roberts
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Pattie Moore

Judith Heumann

Judith Heumann, a disability rights activist and leader, has significantly impacted policy, education, and societal attitudes towards disability throughout her life. Heumann’s determination fueled her advocacy work. Notably, her fight for employment rights in New York City under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 led to landmark regulations.

  • She contracted polio at a young age, resulting in significant mobility impairments.
  • Heumann’s activism gained national attention in the 1970s when she fought for employment rights.
  • She played a key role in advocating for disability rights on an international level.
  • Heumann’s work has influenced policies and attitudes towards disability rights globally.

She co-founded Disabled in Action and played a pivotal role in international disability rights advocacy. In government, she became the first person with a significant disability to hold a federal agency head position as Assistant Secretary of Education for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services under President Bill Clinton. Heumann’s lifelong dedication to accessibility and equality continues to inspire change globally.

Photograph of a smiling woman in glasses and a wheelchair, behind a microphone, wearing a floral blouse and a sweater.

Courtesy of Eurasia Foundation

Brad Lomax

Brad Lomax, a prominent figure in the 20th-century U.S. disability rights movement, contracted polio at age 7, becoming a wheelchair user with significant physical limitations. He emerged as an activist in the 1970s, advocating for the independence and integration of people with disabilities.

  • Lomax was involved in advocating for the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and be fully integrated into society.
  • He participated in the historic 504 Sit-in protest in San Francisco in 1977.
  • Lomax’s efforts contributed to raising awareness about disability rights and promoting accessibility in various aspects of society.

His activism extended to promoting accessibility in transportation, housing, and employment. Lomax’s legacy continues to inspire the ongoing fight for equality and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Photograph of a man in a wheelchair, holding a microphone and speaking towards an audience.

Courtesy of Disability Rights Florida

Ed Roberts

Ed Roberts, a pioneering disability rights activist, was born on January 23, 1939, in San Mateo, California. He became the first severely disabled student at the University of California, Berkeley in 1962. There, he co-founded the Physically Disabled Students Program (PDSP), which later evolved into the Center for Independent Living (CIL).

  • He contracted polio as a teenager, which left him paralyzed and using a wheelchair.
  • Roberts was the first severely disabled student to attend the University of California, Berkeley.
  • He co-founded the Center for Independent Living (CIL) and played a key role in the Independent Living Movement.
  • Roberts advocated for disability rights legislation, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and promoted the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in society.

Roberts continued to advocate for disability rights and independent living until his passing on March 14, 1995, leaving behind a legacy of transformative change.

A bearded man leaning back in a wheelchair, smiling, in front of the side of a house with a tube in his mouth.

Courtesy of California Museum

Pattie Moore

Born in 1952, Pattie Moore challenged conventional design notions, particularly for aging populations and people with disabilities. Graduating from the ArtCenter College of Design, she immersed herself in gerontology studies at California State University, Sacramento, where she underwent a transformative experiment, living as an elderly woman.

  • Pattie Moore is a renowned industrial designer, gerontologist, and advocate for inclusive design.
  • Moore conducted the “Granny” project, living as an elderly woman to understand challenges faced by older adults.
  • She founded Moore Design Associates, focusing on human-centered design for aging populations and people with disabilities.
  • Moore’s work promotes empathy, accessibility, and inclusion in design, challenging traditional notions of disability and aging.

This experience shaped her commitment to inclusive design principles. Her pioneering work continues to inspire designers and policymakers worldwide, fostering greater empathy and understanding for diverse user groups.

Photograph of a woman with short, round hair in a wrinkled shirt with her arms crossed in front of her, in front of a outdoor architectural installment.

Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt

Movements and Demonstrations

Various disability rights movements and demonstrations have raised awareness, advocated for legislative changes, and challenged societal attitudes to promote equality and inclusion. Mobilizing people with disabilities and allies, these efforts demanded equal rights and accessibility in all aspects of life. Demonstrations like the 504 Sit-in and the Independent Living Movement influenced key policies such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), prohibiting discrimination and promoting accessibility, leading to significant strides in equality and empowerment for people with disabilities.

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Independent Living Movement
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Deinst. Movement
504
504 Sit-In
Hashtag
#CripTheVote

Independent Living Movement

The Independent Living Movement emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s in the United States, aiming to empower people with disabilities and promote their rights to live independently. Key aspects include:

  • advocating for self-determination
  • deinstitutionalization
  • access to community-based services and supports
  • peer support
  • advocacy through Independent Living Centers, and legislative and policy changes such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

This movement challenged societal attitudes and practices, leading to significant advances in accessibility, equality, and social justice for people with disabilities.

Photograph of two men with mustaches crossing the road, carrying a sign that says "Center for Independent Living Berkeley"

Courtesy of Lake County Center for Independent LIving

Deinstitutionalization Movement

The deinstitutionalization movement aimed to reform mental health care by reducing reliance on large psychiatric institutions.

  • Advocated for community-based care, critiqued institutional conditions, and pushed for advancements in psychiatric treatment.
  • Faced challenges such as insufficient community-based support but emphasized individual rights and community integration.

Legal changes, like the Community Mental Health Centers Act, supported this shift.

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Courtesy of Mediium

504 Sit-In

The 504 Sit-in was a pivotal event in the US disability rights movement. It demanded federal regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibited disability discrimination in federally funded programs.

  • 504 Sit-in occurred in San Francisco in 1977, lasting 26 days.
  • Organized by activists like Judy Heumann and Kitty Cone, led by the “Rolling Quads” group.
  • Despite challenges and eviction threats, activists persisted until the government signed the regulations.
  • Significance: Established legal protections for people with disabilities and influenced future legislation.
  • Symbolizes the power of grassroots activism in advancing equality and accessibility.

The sit-in, led by the “Rolling Quads” group, drew media attention and support from civil rights groups. Eventually, the government signed the regulations, a significant victory that established legal protections for people with disabilities and influenced future legislation.

Photograph of a crowd of people in wheelchairs facing a small bad of musicians. A sign that says "Rights for the disabled, sign 504 unchanged"

Courtesy of Share America

#CripTheVote

#CripTheVote, a US-originated disability rights campaign and hashtag, aims to raise awareness and promote political engagement among people with disabilities.

  • Launched in 2016 for the US presidential election, it continues during elections and political events.
  • Challenges traditional disability notions using the term “crip” as empowerment.
  • Utilizes social media, particularly Twitter, to facilitate discussions on disability rights, policy priorities, and political engagement.
  • Key issues include healthcare, legislation, employment, education, housing, transportation, and voting rights.
  • Mobilizes the disability community, promoting political awareness and advancing disability rights and social justice goals.

#CripTheVote amplifies disabled voices, advocating for equality and inclusion in political discourse and policy-making.

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Courtesy of Huff Post

Acts and Groups

Acts like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have established legal frameworks to protect the rights of people with disabilities in employment, education, and public accommodations. Additionally, advocacy groups such as Disabled in Action, the Center for Independent Living (CIL), and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) have organized campaigns, provided services, and lobbied for policy reforms to address discrimination and promote accessibility. Together, these acts and groups have significantly advanced disability rights and contributed to creating a more inclusive society.

ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act
IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
CIL
Center for Independent Living
DIA
Disabled in Action

Americans with Disabilities Act

The ADA, enacted in 1990, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. 

  • Signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the ADA has been amended to enhance protections and accessibility standards over time.
  • Key provisions include requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations, ensuring accessibility in public accommodations, prohibiting discrimination in state and local government services, and mandating telecommunications relay services.
Overall, the ADA promotes inclusion, accessibility, and equal rights, removing barriers and enhancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Photograph of a crowd of people, mostly in wheelchairs, in the road in front of a bus. They hold signs, one says "I can't even get to the back of the bus"

Courtesy of National Museum of American History

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IDEA, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, is a federal law in the United States governing special education services for eligible students with disabilities.

  • It ensures students’ rights to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) tailored to their needs.
  • Key provisions include Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), educating students in the least restrictive environment (LRE), parent and student participation, and procedural safeguards.

IDEA promotes inclusion, equity, and educational opportunities for students with disabilities, preparing them for success in school and beyond.

Courtesy of Very Well Family

Center for Independent Living

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) is a community-based organization founded in the United States in the 1960s as part of the Independent Living Movement.

  • CILs are run by and for people with disabilities to promote independence, empowerment, and inclusion in communities.
  • They offer services such as information and referral, peer counseling, independent living skills training, advocacy, and accessibility services.

CILs empower individuals with disabilities to live independently, advocate for their rights, and participate fully in community life.

Photograph of a group of people in front of the building, below a sign that reads "Lake County Center for Independent Living"

Courtesy of Berkeleyside

Disabled in Action

Disabled in Action (DIA) is a New York City-based disability rights organization established in 1970 by activists like Judy Heumann.

  • DIA advocates for the rights of people with disabilities and promotes accessibility and inclusion in society.
  • The organization played a key role in advocating for the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, particularly Section 504, which prohibited disability discrimination in federally funded programs.

DIA has been active in promoting accessibility and inclusion in various areas like transportation and healthcare, offering advocacy and support services for individuals with disabilities and their families.

A line of people in wheelchairs, in the street, blocking several cars and a bus.

Courtesy of Independent

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