Page Introduction
Welcome to the Self-Advocacy Exhibit. Here you will find information on the history of self-advocacy and the rights of people with disABILITIES.Skip Navigation
Self-Advocacy
1940
American Federation of the Physically Handicapped is formed by Paul Strachan. The Federation advocates to end job discrimination against people with physical disabilities and for the establishment of a National Employ the Handicapped Week.
1958: The Federation is dissolved and becomes the National Association of Physically Handicapped.
1940
National Foundation for the Blind
The National Foundation for the Blind is formed in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania by Jacobus ten Broek. The organization advocates for “white cane laws” that require motorists to yield the right of way for visually impaired pedestrians and input from the organization as well as others like it for federal programs.
1945
National Employ the Handicapped Week
Congress passes Public Law 176: National Employ the Handicapped Week. National “Employ the Handicapped Week” was created and signed by President Harry Truman as Public Law 176. The week was established to create more awareness of the possibilities available to employ people with physical disabilities. In 1962, “Employ the Handicapped Week” expanded to include all disabilities and in 1988 changed from just one week to the full month of October.
1946
United Cerebral Palsy Association
The Cerebral Palsy Society of New York City is formed by parents. It is considered the first chapter of United Cerebral Palsy Association.
1946
National Mental Health Foundation
The National Mental Health Foundation is established by employees in mental institutions to reveal the bad treatment of residents. In conjunction with an advocacy campaign to change the public’s thoughts on mental illness, the organization waited for the publication of the article “Bedlam 1946: Most U.S. Mental Hospitals are a Shame and Disgrace” in Life Magazine in the May 6, 1946 issue.
1947
Veteran Advocacy
The Paralyzed Veterans of America is formed. The group advocates for the rights of veterans with disabilities.
1948
Self-Help
We Are Not Alone is established as a self-help group for patients with mental illness at Rockland State Hospital near New York City. The organization was formed to provide advocacy and assistance to discharged patients in the community.
1948
The Civilian Arm
The National Paraplegia Foundation is formed as the civilian arm of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Chapters throughout the country advocated for disability rights through political activism.
The organization eventually becomes the National Spinal Cord Injury Association focusing on providing direct services.
1949
President Truman creates a Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. Executive order 10994 stated: “The President's Committee shall facilitate the development of maximum employment opportunities for the physically and mentally handicapped.”