Page Introduction
This page is a continuation of the New York State Disability Histroy Timeline Exhibit with specific information about the 1970s.
Skip Navigation
The 1970s
1970s were marked by continued pressure from advocacy groups upon New York State government to de-institutionalize. Many New York State advocacy groups were campaigning for inclusion and integration. New laws were passed and pressure from outside forces gained momentum. National media coverage brought American society face to face with the deplorable conditions and treatment of the developmentally disabled living in institutions. The first community-based residence for individuals with developmental disabilities opens in New York State.
1970s
Rockefeller campaigns for re-election. He promised improvements in the field of mental health with new programs for care and treatment close to home or near family. He vowed to increase State aid for mental health treatment centers and double the staff in schools for the mentally retarded.
1970
Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Amendments adopted by U.S. Congress. The first legal definition of developmental disabilities is established. The amendments allowed for services and facilities to rehabilitate people with developmental disabilities. They also established state "Developmental Disabilities Councils."
The term "developmental disability" means: A severe, chronic disability of an individual that: is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments; is manifested before the individual attains age 22; is likely to continue indefinitely; results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following area of major life activity: self care receptive and expressive language learning mobility self-direction capacity for independent living economic self-sufficiency.
1970
Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) formed to "plan, monitor, evaluate and advocate on behalf of developmentally disabled people, in conjunction with the State agency." The Council is comprised of concerned citizens, non-governmental and public agencies advocating for services on behalf of people with disabilities.
1970
Judy Heumann founds "Disabled in Action" (DIA) in New York City as a "civil rights" organization for people with disabilities. DIA is a democratic, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, membership organization consisting mainly of individuals with disabilities. Their motto is: "Nothing about us without us!" The same year, Judy sued the New York City Public School system for refusing her a teaching license because of a fear that her use of a wheelchair may endanger children during an emergency. She won the lawsuit and received her teaching license.
1970
Center on Human Policy at Syracuse University founded by Burton Blatt and Wolf Wolfensberger. The center was designed to promote a more open and accepting society for people with disabilities.
1970
Urban Mass Transportation Act established by U.S. Congress providing adequate and equal access to mass public transportation for elderly and handicapped Americans. It required all vehicles of mass transit to be designed, constructed and operated in a way that serves their needs.
1971
One of the first community residences in NYS is established in the City of Buffalo by the group Service to the Mentally Retarded in Erie County (SMREC). This organization later became People Inc. Ten People shared this home, accompanied by a supervising staff.
1971
Fair Labor Standard Act of 1938 Amended to expand the criteria for attending sheltered workshops beyond blindness, to other disabilities.
1971
Mental Patients Liberation Project founded in New York City. This organization was formed based on the view that current or former mental patients should represent themselves regarding reform and advocacy.
1971
Pennsylvania Association of Retarded children (PARC) v. State of Pennsylvania: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania declares unconstitutional various state laws barring children with disabilities from public schools. This case prompted further "right to education" lawsuits across the U.S.
1971
National Center for Law and the Handicapped established at the University of Notre Dame. The center was the first organization to provide legal services to the disabled.
1971
United Nations Declaration on the "Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons" adopted. Providing the same rights given to other human beings:
- the right to proper medical careeducation
- economic security by way of a meaningful occupation
- the right to live with family or in other homes if possible with financial assistance. If living in a facility, it must provide a healthy environment
- the right to a proper guardian
- the right to protection from exploitation, abuse or neglect.
- In the event that the individual is unable to exercise their rights, the proper legal safeguards must be imposed.
1972
Wyatt v. Stickney, a suit brought against Alabama’s Commissioner of Mental Health, was a class action complaint initiated by the threat of mass layoffs at the Bryce State Hospital for the mentally ill. The court provided a right to treatment for individuals living in state institutions based on constitutional standards, adequate funding to implement the standards, sufficient staffing and qualified administrative oversight. The success of this suit became the model for future lawsuits brought against institutions across the country.
1972
Willowbrook Exposes The First in the series of Willowbrook exposes done by TV reporter Geraldo Rivera with the help of several staff members from Willowbrook. The program was aired on ABC television network and ignited a renewed interest in the conditions at Willowbrook.
1972
New York ARC v. Rockefeller: a class-action lawsuit brought by the Association for Retarded Children against New York State, with Willowbrook State school as its backdrop. It took 3 years from the time the documents were filed before the consent judgment was signed.
1972
Gebbie Clinic of Syracuse University established to serve the needs of children with learning and behavioral difficulties with a special emphasis on hearing and speech development. It also trained students in special education rehabilitation.
1973
Rockefeller resigns his position as Governor of New York State and is succeeded by Lt. Governor Charles Malcolm Wilson who serves for one year.
1973
Vocational Rehabilitation Act: Congress overrides vetoes made by President Nixon and passes the act. Section 504 of the act is the first legal measure barring discrimination against people with disabilities. Drafting of the regulations took four years to complete.
1973
Handicapped parking permits introduced in Washington DC.
1974
Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) Plan of Compliance adopts final regulations. New York converted its state schools to ICFs/MR and billed the federal government for operating costs. State Schools are renamed "Developmental Centers."
1974
Gerald R. Ford becomes President (1974-1977).
1974
Housing and Community Development Act, Section 8: Housing and Rental Assistance Program passed by U.S. Congress. This program provides federal financial aid to remodel existing buildings for handicapped access and to build new accessible housing.
1974
Hugh L. Carey is elected Governor of New York State. He formed an alliance with those involved in the Willowbrook Case, and refused to sign the Willowbrook Consent Decree until alterations were made to the proposal. Carey included a requirement that day services be established for those moving from institutions to community residential programs.
1975
The Willowbrook Consent Decree is signed. New York State commits itself to a program improving conditions for the Willowbrook “class” clients, but the States notions of improving conditions within the institution contradicted those of the plaintiffs whose goal was de-institutionalization. It took years to relocate residents but New York State had the most aggressive plan for improved services in the country.
1975
Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act adopted by U.S. Congress authorizing federal funding of programs that serve people with developmental disabilities. However, the Act does not provide a means to enforce this provision.
1975
Education for All Handicapped Children Act adopted by U.S. Congress. It was later renamed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The act allows children with disabilities to receive a public school education in an integrated setting.
1975
Head Start Program established by U.S. Congress as a preschool program for disadvantaged youngsters. The program required 10% of the student body consist of children with disabilities.
1976
Higher Education Act of 1972 Amendment adopted by U.S. Congress, providing academic support to university and college students with disabilities.
1976
Disability Rights Center established in Washington, DC and sponsored by Ralph Nader’s Center for the Study of Responsive Law to serve people with disabilities as "consumers" and provide legal assistance.
1977
James E. Carter becomes President (1977-1981).
1977
New York State Laws of 1977 Chapter 978 created The Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities a department separate from the Department of Mental Health. Its central tenets are: freedom to have family relationships, independence, choice, expression and the proper supports and services necessary for success. Thomas Coughlin became its first commissioner.
1977
New York State Mental Hygiene Law created Section 5.07 requiring the Department of Mental Hygiene and Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to submit State and local five year plans for services to the disabled.
1978
Thomas A. Coughlin III becomes 1st Commissioner for The Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
1978
Morgado Memorandum, issued to the Department of Mental Hygiene. Developed by Hugh Carey’s Chief Aide, Robert Morgado. It outlined an agreement with union workers regarding their objections to closing institutions. The basis of the memorandum was the State’s promise to open 50 state-operated community residences to accommodate the potential unemployed from Willowbrook.
1978
"Site Selection of Community Residential Facilities Act" also known as Padavan’s Law was the result of community opposition to group homes. This law allowed community input into the potential locations for NYS- licensed group homes. The main objections were saturation in a given area. The law became a powerful tool for the expansion of group homes across the state.
1978
District Developmental Services Offices (DDSO) established to provide strong local management of State agencies. The 20 DDSOs were responsible for institutional, public and private community services. They also helped identify future needs of persons with developmental disabilities.
1978
Developmental Disabilities Information System (DDIS) designed by OMRDD with implementation beginning in 1979. The DDIS measured categories of need for patient care. It was later replaced with Developmental Disabilities Profile (DDP) which was determined by the provider agency.