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
1990
ADAPT
American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today organizes a support demonstration in Washington, D.C. for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. They occupy the Capital Rotunda and many protesters are arrested.
1990
President Bush Signs the ADA
President George H. W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. The legislation is considered a breakthrough for disability rights but many obstacles are still in place that hinder full compliance.
1991
Jerry’s Orphans
Jerry’s Orphans, a group that protests against the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, holds its first annual protest. The group is made up of former “Jerry’s Kids” and is critical of the event because of its focus on the “pity approach” to fundraising.
1991
SABE
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) was founded during the Second North American People First Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The groups objectives included closing all institutions, making self-advocacy readily available, and working in conjunction with the criminal justice system to ensure people with disabilities know their rights.
1995
American Association of People with Disabilities
American Association of People with Disabilities is founded in Washington, D.C. by Paul G. Hearne with aid from disability activist Justin Dart and others. The group is “…The largest national nonprofit cross-disability member organization in the United States, dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities.”
1996
Dr. Death
Not Dead Yet is established to protest assisted suicide of people with disabilities. The organization believes that a “right to die” could lead to a societal “obligation” to die. The formation of the group was prompted by the acquittal of Jack Kevorkian for his role in the assisted suicide of two women with disabilities.
1996
Voting Power
President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore receive support from the disability rights community.
1999
Global Perspectives on Independent Living for the Next Millennium hosts An International Summit Conference on Independent Living in Washington, D.C. The conference brought 125 leaders of the Independent Living movement from 50 countries together to compare services and bring about additional cooperation.
1999
Integrated Setting
The United States Supreme Court rules on Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W. stating that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public agencies to provide services in the most integrated setting. The case states services should not be provided in an institutional setting if a person with a disability can be served in a community-based environment.
2000
Political Support
Presidential candidate Al Gore receives support from the disability community. Part of Gore’s platform involved increasing funding for independent living and enforcement of disability rights. A Harris Poll after the election found that 56% of voters with disabilities chose Gore as opposed to 38% for George W. Bush.
2001
New Freedom Initiative
The New Freedom Initiative is announced by President George W. Bush to remove obstacles for community living for people with disabilities. The program has several objectives including homeownership, educational opportunities and full access to community life.