History of Disability Rights Movement

Early Views on Disabilities

Historically, disabilities were viewed negatively: considered shameful, ugly, and defective.
People with disabilities were often institutionalized in asylums, experiencing cruel and neglectful treatment.
Institutionalized individuals were often tied to furniture and dehumanized.
Citizens with disabilities faced significant societal discrimination and lack of opportunity.

1940s-50s: Returning WWII veterans with disabilities began shifting perspectives on disabilities.
- Veterans demanded rehabilitation programs from the government in recognition of their service.
- Society began to view disabilities beyond a wheelchair, initiating a change in perception.
Despite these changes, disabled people continued to face physical and social barriers, with limited access to public spaces and services.
Discrimination was rampant, as people with disabilities were often denied services due to their appearance or equipment.

1960s: Social movements saw disability advocates demanding equal treatment.
- Parents called for their children’s release from institutions and insisted on equal access to services.
- Activists challenged societal viewpoints through protests and civil disobedience.
1972: President Nixon vetoed a law aimed at granting equal access; protests ensued.
- 1973: Rehabilitation Act passed, marking the first legal protection of civil rights for people with disabilities.
- Physical accessibility began with infrastructure changes like curb cuts in Berkeley, California.
1975: Education for All Handicapped Children Act ensured educational rights, later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
- This act supported personalized education plans involving parents and teachers.

Despite prior acts, full civil rights for disabled individuals were not realized.
1990: The ADA was championed by activists, notably at the Capitol Crawl protest.
- Protestors, including young Jennifer Keelan, crawled up the Capitol steps, advocating for the ADA's passage.
- The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990.
The ADA prohibited discrimination in employment, public services, telecommunications, and more, ensuring equal access and rights.

The relentless efforts of disability rights activists led to significant legal and societal changes.
Their advocacy transformed societal perceptions and accessibility, embracing diversity and full freedoms for individuals with disabilities.