The road to the

Americans with Disabilities Act

collage of black and white photographs from left to right: Judy Heumann, George H.W. Bush, Brad Lomax, Johnnie Lacy, Ed Roberts, and Alan Reich.
Black and white image of President FDR sitting at a desk, looking down and writing on a piece of paper (signing the Social Security Act).

1935

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, providing cash benefits, medical and therapeutic services for people with disabilities.

1945

The first National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week (later became National Disability Employment Awareness Month).

Poster showing an illustration of several men standing behind a large sign that reads, "DON'T PITY A DISABLED MAN – FIND HIM A JOB". Beneath the sign is the YMCA logo in the bottom left corner of the poster.
Black and white photo of President JFK sitting at the Presidential desk signing the Community Mental Health Act.

1963

President John F Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act. 

1972

The Center for Independent Living was founded at Berkley, California and led by disabilities activist Ed Roberts.

 

Ed Roberts and the CIL team at the original Center for Independent Living office on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, California.
Black and white photograph showing a group of people in wheelchairs. Centered is a man in a wheelchair seen from the back, with a sign attached to the wheel chair that reads "We Shall Overcome"

1973

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 established equal access for people with disabilities.

1975

The Education for Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (later, IDEA) guarantees a free, appropriate, public education for all children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.

Newspaper clipping with image of president Gerald Ford signing something at the Presidential desk. Above the image is a headline that reads, "President Gerald Ford Signing A New Law".
Black and white photograph showing a group of people in wheelchairs. Centered is a man in a wheelchair seen from the back, with a sign attached to the wheel chair that reads "We Shall Overcome"

1977

San Francisco activists held 28-day sit in calling for federal civil rights for people with disabilities. The measure was signed that year.

1982

The National Organization on Disability was founded by Alan Reich to continue the momentum to promote disability inclusion.

Alan Reich speaking in front of the United Nations. To the right of the image is the NOD logo
An older woman sitting in a motorized wheelchair is placed at a voting booth.

1984

Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act was passed.

1988

Gallaudet University “Deaf President Now!” protest took place in Washington, D.C.

Above a large crowd of people with their hands raised is a sign that reads "Give Gallaudet a chance to have a deaf president."
President George H. W. Bush sitting at a desk, signing the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pictured (left to right): Evan Kemp, Rev Harold Wilke, Pres. Bush, Sandra Parrino, Justin Dart.

1990

President George Herbert Walker Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

since the ADA…

1996

The Mental Health Parity Act banned health plans from imposing unwarranted dollar limits on mental health benefits.

Screen grab of Senator Paul Wellstone appearing in front of the Senate on CSPAN2
President Bill Clinton signing legislation at the Presidential desk

1998

President Clinton signed the Internet Accessibility Law, giving people with disabilities access to all electronic and information technology in the federal sector.

1999

The Supreme Court’s Olmstead Decision affirmed the right to live in the community rather than in state-run institutions.

Sue, Lois and Elaine
President George W. Bush, seated, signs S. 3406, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, in a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House, Sept. 25, 2008. Standing behind Bush are, from left to right, former President George H.W. Bush; Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis.; Cheryl Sensenbrenner; Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md.; Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif.; Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.; Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa; Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.; Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I.; and U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey.

2008

The ADA Amendments Act clarified and broadened the term “disability.”

2013

After meeting with Carol Glazer and other disability advocates, President Obama signed the Section 503 rule change to the Rehab Act (setting a 7% utilization goal of employees with disabilities for federal contractors).

Carol Glazer and various other advocates representing disability organizations sitting around a large conference room table with President Barack Obama and members of his cabinet