People with disabilities movement

Event 2 (Ed Roberts)

Jan 23, 1939

Ed Roberts was the first student at Berkeley to use a wheelchair. Students refused to room with him due to the iron lung which helped him sleep, and this made Roberts upset. He urged Berkeley to change their rules and become more inclusive. He created the "Rolling Quads" and led the Physically Disabled Students Program.

Event 4 (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973)

Sep 26, 1973

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a national law protecting qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. It also forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying the rights for people with disabilities.

Event 3 (AACD: American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities)

Apr 30, 1975

The AACD was a national consumer led disability rights organization that was created, administered and governed by individuals with disabilities. It was created on April 30th, 1975 and ended in 1983.

Event 5 (Passage of Public Law 94.142.)

Nov 30, 1975

In 1975, Congress passed the Passage of Public Law 94.142. This law required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education. The act also required that school districts provide administrative procedures so that parents of disabled children could dispute decisions made about their children’s education.

Event 1 (Wade Blank)

Apr 8, 1983

Wade Blank had experience working with the disabled at a nursing home and came to the realization that it was inapropriate for the disabled to be confined to an institution simply due to their disabilities. Blank created a center for independent living as well organizing the ADAPT (created in 1983)

Event 7 (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act/IDEA)

Apr 9, 1990

In response to Education for All Handicapped Children Act the need for parent involvement was adressed with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990. The implementation of the IDEA allows parents to be involved with their childrens education and customize an individual education plan for their disabled child(ren).

Event 6 (Americans with Disabilities Act)

Jul 26, 1990

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities. The ADA also establishes requirements for telecommunications relay services.

Event 8 (The AADP today)

Apr 9, 2015

The AADP (American Association of People with Disabilities) continues to promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living and political participation. The AADP recently launched a monthly forum in which disability organizations and major technology corporations meet to discuss various things (accessibility, universal design and employment). Another example is that the AADP partnered with the U.S. Business Leadership Network to develop the Disability Equality Index.