The disability rights movement in the US, mirroring other civil rights movements, has a long and impactful history, with activism dating back to the 1800s. Landmark legislation like the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its 2008 amendments signify substantial legal victories, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The ongoing fight for equal rights continues to be a central focus of this movement.
The 20th century saw a significant rise in organisations championing disability rights. The League of the Physically Handicapped, formed during the Great Depression, advocated for employment rights. In the 1940s, We Are Not Alone, founded by psychiatric patients, facilitated the transition from institutional care to community living. The 1950s witnessed the establishment of the National Association for Retarded Children (NARC), primarily composed of parents advocating for alternative care and education for their children. Presidential involvement also contributed to advancements in disability assistance, with President Truman establishing the National Institute of Mental Health in 1948 and President Kennedy initiating committees focused on disability treatment and research between 1960 and 1963.
The US Congress has enacted numerous laws promoting disability rights, both directly and through the enforcement of civil rights legislation. Landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education, which declared school segregation unconstitutional, laid the groundwork for recognising disability rights. Sections 501, 503, 504, and 508 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act are particularly significant for the disability rights movement, addressing employment discrimination, affirmative action, program accessibility, and equal access to technological information for people with disabilities.
Delayed implementation of Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act sparked nationwide protests in 1977. The American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities (ACCD) demanded enactment of the regulations by April 5, 1977. When the deadline wasn’t met, sit-ins were held at federal offices across the country. The San Francisco sit-in at the Federal Building lasted until April 28, culminating in the signing of the unchanged regulations. This event marked a turning point in recognising disability as a civil rights issue.
The 1975 Education for All Handicapped Children Act guaranteed public education for children with disabilities. These legislative achievements are largely attributed to the tireless efforts of disability activists and their collaboration with the federal government. Over 50 pieces of legislation were passed between the 1960s and the enactment of the ADA in 1990. Self-advocacy groups like DREDF, ADAPT (Americans Disabled for Accessible Public Transportation, now Americans Disabled Attendant Programs Today), and the CIL (Center for Independent Living) have profoundly influenced the national conversation on disability.
The CIL, founded in the early 1960s at Cowell Memorial Hospital in California, provides community-based services for individuals with disabilities. Cowell Memorial Hospital, formerly listed on the National Register of Historic Places, played a vital role in supporting the “Rolling Quads” and the “Disabled Students Program” at the University of California, Berkeley. Students Ed Roberts and John Hessler, founders of both organisations, encountered housing challenges due to their physical disabilities. Their advocacy, along with that of counsellor Jean Wirth, led to increased accessibility at UC Berkeley and influenced architectural planning. This marked the genesis of the independent living movement, emphasising self-determination for individuals with disabilities in all life aspects.
The Disabled Students Program at UC Berkeley, while not unique in its conception, was pioneering in its promotion of inclusivity on campus. This program inspired similar organisations at universities nationwide, many of which remain active today.