Timeline of Historical Moments in the Disability COMMUNITY DSAB605-001 By: Luis Gutierrez

[Audio] Timeline of Historical Moments in the Disability COMMUNITY.

[Audio] 1776 Act to Provide for the Settlement: After the Revolution War, soldiers who suffered significant injuries were financially subsidized by the first pension law which paid for half pay. 1817 American School for the Deaf: Founded in Hartford, CT, this was the first school for children with disabilities anywhere in the western hemisphere. 1815-1817 Formal Deaf Education Begins in the U.S. Thomas H. Gallaudet founds the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons in Hartford, Connecticut. It is the first permanent school for the deaf in America.* 1829 Braille Invents the Raised Point AlphabetLouis Braille invents the raised point alphabet that makes him a household name today. His method doesn't become well-known in the United States until more than 30 years after it is first taught at the St. Louis School for the Blind in 1860. 1907 Eugenic Sterilization Law for People with Disabilities Enacted Indiana becomes the first state to enact a eugenic sterilization law—for "confirmed idiots, imbeciles and rapists"—in state institutions.* The law spreads like wildfire and is enacted in 24 other states. In 1927, compulsory sterilization is ruled constitutional..

[Audio] 1864 Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind: Under President Abraham Lincoln, the bill was signed into law for the first college in the world to accept people with disabilities, the Gallaudet University ( university for only disabled). 1880 National Association of the Deaf: Founded in Cincinnati, OH as a non-profit to advocate for deaf rights (now headquartered in Silver Spring, MD) 1918 Smith-Sears Veterans Rehabilitation Act: This Act became a law to provide employment assistance for people with disablilities who were discharged from the U.S. military after returning from battle. 1920 The Smith-Fess Act: Also known as the Civilian Vocational Rehabilitation Act, this established a federal program to provide vocational assistance to Americans with physical disabilities through guidance, training, occupational services and job placement. 1935 League of the Physically Handicapped: This group formed a protest at the Emergency Relief Bureau ( ERB) to demonstrate job discrimination that people with disabilities were facing. This group started as only 6 people who began the 9-day sit-in and it quickly grew. The League eventually led to the creation of 1,500 jobs in NYC. Social Security Act: The Social Security Act was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to provide payment of benefits to people with disabilities who contributed to the Social Security through taxation on their earnings..

[Audio] 1939 Nazi Program Kills Thousands of People with Disabilities At the onset of World War II Adolph Hitler orders widespread " mercy killing" of the sick and disabled.* Code-named Aktion T4, the Nazi euthanasia program is instituted to eliminate "life unworthy of life." Between 75,000 to 250,000 people with intellectual or physical disabilities are systematically killed from 1939 to 1941. 1950 Beginning of National Barrier-Free Standards Disabled veterans and people with disabilities begin the barrier-free movement. The combined efforts of the Veterans Administration, The President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, and the National Easter Seals Society, among others, results in the development of national standards for "barrier-free" buildings. 1946 National Mental Health Foundation Founded The National Mental Health Foundation is founded by American conscientious objectors from WWII who served as attendants at state mental institutions rather than serving in the war. The Foundation exposes the abusive conditions at these facilities and becomes an impetus toward deinstitutionalization..

[Audio] 1961 Panel of Mental Retardation: President John F. Kennedy created the President's Panel on Mental Retardation to address the needs of people with intellectual disabilities and their rights to be part of everyday life. The Panel's goals included training in academic, vocational and social skills. President George W. Bush renamed the committee to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. 1963 Mental Retardation Facilities and Construction Act: To plan activities and construct facilities to provide services to persons with intellectual disabilities. 1964 Civil Rights Act of 1964: This was the first Act that outlawed discrimination and segregation based on race, color, religion, or sex. It wasn't until 1988 that people with disabilities were included. 1964 White Cane Awareness Day: The National Federation of the Blind became a leader in fighting for the rights for people with visually disabilities. From its pioneering independence of the visually impaired, October 15 of each year is designated to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired. The name of this day reflects the important symbol of their tool of independence, the white cane. Urban Mass Transportation Act: This law established that all mass transit vehicles be equipped with a wheelchair lift..

[Audio] 1965 Medicare and Medicaid: Established through the Social Security Amendments of 1965, government provides federally subsidized health care to the disabled and elderly Americans. Voting Rights Act: People with disabilities are able to have assistance in voting in elections. Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1965: Extending benefits of the Act of 1954; but also, including funding for people with behavioral disorders. Higher Education Act of 1965: Providing financial assistance for people with physical disabilities entering college or university. 1968 Fair Housing Act: This Act expanded on Civil Rights Act of 1964 and is also referred to as the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This Act was extended after African American veterans found discriminated against when finding housing. It was not expected to pass; but the day of the vote, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and racial riots were taking place around the country. President Lyndon B. Johnson pressured Congress to pass the new legislation. Johnson viewed the Act as a fitting memorial to the man's life work. It wasn't until 1988 people with disabilities were included. Special Olympics: The first International Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago, Illinois. Originally, it was started in 1962 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver out of growing up playing sports with her sister, who had a intellectual disability. She hosted the first few years at a summer camp ( Camp Shriver). 1971 The First National Conference on Television for the Hearing Impaired: First time debuting two possible technologies for captioning television programs. Both technologies displayed the captions only on specially equipped sets for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers..

[Audio] 1972 Independent Living Movement: Ed Roberts and U.CA Berkeley students founded the Berkeley Center for Independent Living for the advocacy and services for people with disabilities to live free and independent lives. In the Rehabilitation Act Amendment of 1978 included grant funding to support the program. There is now over 400 Centers for Independent Living in the U.S. 1973 The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( Section 504): Section 504 was the first federal civil rights protection for people with disabilities that they can not be excluded from the participation, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance such as hospital, schools, welfare and government offices. This also extended to additional sections such as hiring by the government (Section 501) or subcontractors of the government (Section 503), and transportation and building accessibility (Section 502), 1975 Developmental Disability Assistance and Bill of Rights Act: People with developmental disabilities have a right to appropriate treatment, services, and rehabilitation in the least restrictive setting that maximizes developmental potential. It further specifies funds would not be provided to any residential program that does not meet the minimum standards for nutritious diet, medical and dental services, prohibition of physical restraints, visiting rights for relatives, and compliance with fire and safety. In 1978, case management services, child developmental services, alternative community living arrangement services, and nonvocational social-developmental services were added. Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975: This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide access to education for children with physical and mental disabilities. Public schools were required create an educational plan with parent's input that closely mirrors the educational experience of non-disabled students. It is now referred as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA). American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities: First leading national cross-disability rights organization, governed and administered by people with disabilities..

[Audio] 1977 504 Sit-In: Between 1973 and 1977, people with disabilities fought to have regulations in Section 504 more concisely define and published. There was much delay by the government even after the disability community filed a lawsuit in federal court. The court ruled that they must be issued; but not when. Major demonstrations in 10 U.S. cities lasting 28 days ( San Francisco, CA) were organized to voice their rights. White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals: 3,000 people with disabilities discuss federal policy and acted as a catalyst for grassroots disability rights organizing. 1978 Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1978:The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1978 established the first federal funding for independent living centers and created the National Council of the Handicapped under the U.S. Department of Education. "Try Another Way": " Try Another Way" pioneered to teach people with intellectual disabilities to perform complex tasks. This provided the foundation for the Supported Employment model which helps them to participate in the competitive job market. 1979 Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund ( DREDF): DREDF is a national cross-disability civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities..

[Audio] 1978 National Council on Disability Established The National Council on Disability is established as an advisory board within the Department of Education. Its purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all people with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability, and to empower them to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. "We will ride! " Disability Activists Protest Inaccessibility of Buses, Denver, CO. Americans with Disabilities for Accessible Transportation ( ADAPT) is founded. In Denver, Colorado, nineteen members of the Atlantis Community block buses with their wheelchairs—chanting "We will ride!"—to demonstrate the inaccessibility of public transportation. Protests lead to the 1983 founding of Americans with Disabilities for Accessible Public Transportation (ADAPT). For seven years ADAPT—under the leadership of Bob Kafka, Stephanie Thomas, and Mike Auberger—blocked buses in cities across the U.S. to demonstrate the need for access to public transit. After the passage of the ADA (and transit measures gained by ADAPT's hard work), ADAPT shifts its focus to attendant and community-based services, becoming American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today..

[Audio] 1980 Father of the ADA: CT Senator Lowel P. Weicker, Jr. ( 1971- 1989) advocated for disability rights and is widely regarded as the original " father" of the ADA. During his service, Weicker sponsored numerous pieces of legislation that laid the foundation for the ADA. Weicker introduced the first version of ADA in 1988. Civil Rights of Institutionalized Person Act: This allows people with disabilities can file civil suits in the U.S. Justice Dept. if their rights were being violated. 1982 Telecommunications for the Disable Act: This became law in the U.S. making it mandatory for public phones to be accessible to the hearing impaired. Job Training Partnership Act of 1982: This Act established federal assistance to prepare youth and unskilled adults, who have disabilities, to enter into the labor force. 1984 Reagan Administration: A set back but a gain. The Reagan administration tired to revoke or weaken Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. It was met with opposition from the community, which their campaign generated more than 40,000 cards and letters. The administration was successful in terminating Social Security benefits of hundreds of thousands of disabled recipients instead..

[Audio] 1985 Mental Illness Bill of Rights Act: This Act became law that it requires states to provide protection and advocacy for people with psychological disabilities. 1986 Toward Independence: National Council on Disability ( NCD), issued a report on their research they named, Towards Independence, where the Council examined incentives and disincentives in federal laws towards increasing the independence of people with disabilities and noting the large gaps in in their civil rights. Employment Opportunities for Disabled Americans Act of 1986: The EODAA enhances work incentives for people with disabilities under the Supplemental Security Income ( SSI) program; which provides special SSI payments and Medicaid coverage while eligible individuals with disabilities make attempts to work. 1988 On the Threshold of Independence: National Council on Disability issued its report On the Threshold of Independence with data acquired from Towards Independence. Towards Independence assessed the status of person with disabilities and the Federal Laws where On the Threshold of Independence described the accomplishments that have been achieved in response the recommendations in the Threshold of Independence report. Fair Housing Act: This was amended to protect people with disabilities from housing discrimination, modifications to existing buildings and outlined accessibility to newly constructed housing units. This expanded the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Preliminary version of ADA: Original version of the ADA was introduced by Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. which laid the foundation for its passing in 1990..

[Audio] 1990 The Pennsylvania Early Intervention Services System Act— 212 Early Intervention services are offered to eligible infants, toddlers and preschoolers from birth to entry to school age. Capitol Crawl Protest On March 12, 1990 disability rights activists arrive at the U.S. Capitol and demand the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA). Over 1,000 protesters from 30 states to protest the delay in passing the Act. After a day of rallies and speeches, over 60 activists abandoned their wheelchairs and mobility devices and began crawling the 83 stone steps up to the U.S. Capitol Building. Protestors chant "What do we want?" "ADA!" "When do we want it?" "NOW!" Other activists remained at the bottom encouraging the crawlers. "I want my civil rights," Paulette Patterson of Chicago states as she inched her way to the top. "I want to be treated like a human being." The " Capitol Crawl" becomes instrumental in the passage of the ADA. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is signed into law. President George H.W. Bush signs landmark legislation prohibiting the discrimination of people with disabilities in all areas of public life including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion..

[Audio] 1991 Federal Government Makes Autism a Special Education Category The federal government makes autism a special education category. Public schools begin identifying children on the spectrum and offering them special services. 1993 National Home of Your Own Alliance founded The National Home of Your Own Alliance is created to help states develop home ownership initiatives targeted to the needs of people with developmental disabilities. 1995 National Federation of the Blind establishes dial-up synthetic-speech talking newspaper New technology makes a daily newspaper available to blind people by 6: 30 a.m. on day of issue. 1990 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA) The Education for All Handicapped Children Act is renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Reauthorized Act requires students with disabilities to be involved in developing their transition plans, and their interests and preferences are to be considered. 1996 Federal Telecommunications Act Enacted Act requires computers, telephones, closed captioning and many other telecommunication devices and equipment be made accessible..

[Audio] 1999 Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W. Most important civil rights decision for people with disabilities in US History. Olmstead requires states to provide services in the most integrated setting and reinforced the right of people with disabilities to live in the community. 2001 The Commonwealth of Virginia Formally Expresses Regret for Eugenics Virginia's eugenics legislation resulted in the involuntary sterilization of more than 8,000 people with disabilities between 1924 and 1979. The Commonwealth becomes the first in the US to formally express its regret for this practice. 2004 First Disability Pride Parade, Chicago A coalition of disability rights advocates and organizations holds the first Disability Pride Parade. Event designed to "change the way people think about and define disability, to break down and end the internalized shame among people with disabilities, and to promote the belief in society that disability is a natural and beautiful part of life."" Organizers expect 500- 600 people to participate – nearly 2,000 attend..

[Audio] 2007 Road-To-Freedom Tour The Road-to- Freedom bus tour and photographic exhibit chronicled the history of the grassroots " people's movement" that led to passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA). Photographer and activist Tom Olin drives the bus to 48 states, drawing governors, mayors, and commissioners to events in cities and towns across the nation. Event repeated in 2014 for the ADA Legacy Tour. 2008 West Virginia Requires Disability History to be Taught in Schools Largely due to the efforts of 20 young people with disabilities (the West Virginia Youth Disability Caucus), West Virginia becomes the first state to require that the history of the disability rights movement be taught in schools grades K- 12. 2009 Rosa's Law Enacted President Barack Obama signs legislation that replaces the term " mental retardation" with the term "intellectual disability." Law is named for 9-year old Rosa Marcellino, a young advocate with Down syndrome..

[Audio] 2010 Executive Order 13548: In recognizing the 20th anniversary of the ADA, President Barack Obama signs executive order to increase Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities around recruitment, hiring and retention of people with disabilities. ADA Standards for Accessible Design: U.S. Dept. of Justice revises regulations for Titles II and III, which set minimum requirements for newly designed, altered state and local government facilities, public accommodations and commercial facilities to be accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities. Disability Employment Initiative: U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and Employment and Training Administration jointly fund the Disability Employment Initiative which focused on 9 states to improve education, training and employment opportunities for youth and adults receiving social security benefits. 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act:President Barack Obama brought the ADA into the 21st century to include new digital, broadband and mobile innovations. The law governs everything that is broadcasted or used for communication is to be accessible for everyone..

[Audio] 2012 Philadelphia Disability Pride Celebration Philadelphia celebrates its first Disability Pride day. Advocate Justin Dart's wheelchair is put on permanent exhibit in the National Constitution Center. 2013 Department of Transportation: Airline website pages, which have core travel information and services, must be accessible by 2015 and all pages on airline websites must be readily available to people with disabilities by 2016. This also included airport kiosks to access boarding tickets and how planes handle wheelchairs. 2014 Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act: U.S. Dept. of Labor's Office Contract Compliance Program updates 503 regulation which prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against people with disabilities and to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote and retain people with disabilities. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( WIOA) of 2014: This provides a comprehensive change to a number of employment and education-related programs, including services for people with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Achieving Better Life Experience Act (ABLE): ABLE improved financial stability and employment options for people with disabilities by authorizing tax-advantaged savings accounts for youth and adults with disabilities..

[Audio] 2017 ADAPT Activists Fight to Save Affordable Care Act / Medicaid On June 22, after numerous attempts to meet with legislators to discuss their concerns about the healthcare bill, a group of disability rights advocates and ADAPT protest in Senator Mitch McConnell's Washington, D.C. office. Some protesters lay on the ground to stage a die-in, while others are dragged from their wheelchairs by police. Dozens of people are arrested — similar scenes unfold nationally. Protestors notably sat in Senator Cory Gardner's Denver office for two days before being forcibly removed. 2020 Electric Shock Devices: The Electric shock devices were used to interrupt self-injurious or aggressive behavior in autism and other developmental disabilities. FDA banned use as evidence of the device's effectiveness was weak. July 26, 2020: Marks the 30 year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the launch of Accessibility.com..

Work Cited. Temple University. (2022).Disability Rights Timeline. https://disabilities.temple.edu/resources/disability-rights-timeline Accessibility.com, LLC. (2001)Timeline of Disability Rights in The Unites States. https://www.accessibility.com/resources/timeline-of-disability-rights The National Park Service is an agency of the United States federal government that manages all national parks, most national monuments, and other natural, historical, and recreational properties with various title designations. · https ://www.nps.gov/articles/disabilityhistoryrightsmovement.htm priorityfordisabled.org was first indexed by Google in November 2019 https://priorityfordisabled.org/news-events/news.html/article/2020/01/28/disability-rights-movement.