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
1970
Disabled in Action
Judith Heumann establishes Disabled in Action in New York City. The organization demonstrates against unfair hiring practices and, among many other activities uses litigation for disability rights.
1970
Ed Roberts, John Hessler and others establish the “Physically Disabled Student Program” at the University of California at Berkeley.
1972
Independence
Center for Independent Living established at the University of California at Berkeley led by Ed Roberts. The Center supports people with disabilities in their goal of living an independent life outside of institutions and nursing homes. This organization was founded by persons with disabilities.
1972
Using the Courts
Richard Heddinger, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the National Paraplegia Foundation, sue the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in Washington, D.C. for accessibility on the District’s new subway system.
The victory is seen as a breakthrough in the struggle for accessibility on public transportation.
1973
Disabled in Action, National Paraplegia Foundation and other advocacy groups protest the veto of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 by President Richard Nixon. The Act guarantees certain rights to Americans with disabilities while Section 504 of the Act is considered the first civil-rights legislation for workers with disabilities. Demonstrations are held in Washington, D.C.
1973
Citizens with Disabilities
The Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities (C.D.C.) is formed in 1973 initially to advocate for the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and the Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1975 signed by President Gerald Ford.
Today the C.C.D. advocates for similar legislation on behalf of all people with disabilities and their families.
1973
Self-Advocacy in America
The “First Convention for the Mentally Handicapped in North America,” considered the first self-advocacy conference, was held in Victoria Island, British Columbia, Canada. Three residents and two staff members from Oregon’s Fairview Hospital attended the convention and founded People First the next year.
1974
People First, the nation’s largest and first self-advocacy organization, was founded in 1974 by the five who attended the Canadian conference. People First’s initial convention is held that same year in Salem, Oregon.
1974
Accessible Living
Barrier Free Environments is formed by Ronald Mace. The organization advocated for accessible buildings and living arrangements.
1975
All Inclusive Self-Advocacy
American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities is established. This organization represents all disabilities for disability rights. Frank Bowe was the first executive director.
1975
A Bill of Rights
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1975 is passed. The Act provides rights for people with disabilities in institutions but it was difficult to enforce. Programs serving people with developmental disabilities were also provided federal funds under the bill. Advocacy, deinstitutionalization, and rehabilitation programs initiatives were also included.
1976
Litigation & Civil Action
Transbus Group, led by Disabled in Action in Pennsylvania, sues the city of Philadelphia to make public buses wheelchair accessible. The group is made up several advocacy organizations. Accessible buses have been around for almost 30 years by this point but are not utilized for public transportation in many municipalities.
1976
Protests
Disabled in Action protests the United Cerebral Palsy telethon in New York City. The telethons are seen by many in the disability rights movement as paternalistic and forums for pity. Rights groups see the use of poster children such as “Jerry’s Kid’s” as a means for sympathy to raise funds for supposed cures.
1977
504 in 1977
Disability rights advocates protest in 10 cities, including New York, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, for regulations implementing “Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973.” The government failed in enforcing the legislation because of the expense of compliance.
1977
White House Initiatives
President Jimmy Carter sponsored the White House Conference on Handicapped People that included the participation of people with disabilities. Topics covered were community services, health care, special education and other related issues.
1978
Accessible Transportation
Sit-ins are held in Denver over the total inaccessibility of the Denver public transit system. Civil disobedience is used in the protests as demonstrators block buses and use sit-ins. The objective of the protests is making the buses accessible by adding wheelchair lifts.
1978
Federal Aid
The federal government begins funding Independent Living Centers through Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments.
The Civil Rights Commission Act, sponsored by Senator Edward Kennedy, is passed giving the Commission the power to investigate disability discrimination.
1978
Guidance
Frank Bowe publishes Handicapping America considered the text for the disability rights movement. His work discusses attitudes towards people with disabilities and the affect these views have on the “disabled community.”
1979
DREDF
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund is established in Berkeley, California and becomes the leader in disability rights. The Defense Fund also focuses on education, training, public policy and legislation.
1979
Self-Advocacy for the Hard of Hearing
Howard “Rocky” Stone organizes Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc.
This membership organization is run by people with hearing impairments. It provides members with information on services to allow them to make their own choices.