Assuring the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities

In the Eighties, after years of federal physical barrier removal, the Disability Community got more involved in advocating for itself. In 1985, amid increased demands for independence and civil rights, Ron Mace (an advocate with a disability) coined the term, Universal Design. Finally, Congress passed the Fair Housing Amendments (1988) and Americans with Disabilities Acts (1990) to guarantee the civil rights of people with disabilities.

Since 2001, the U.S. Department of Justice has filed over 130 cases against people who've built INaccessible private multifamily housing in violation of the Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines (effective in 1991). The growing number of defendants who lost their cases, have been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars and ordered to complete "access retrofits" in the developments in question.

Early in the Millennium, after 15+ years of enforcement of their civil rights, people with disabilities are often seen in public spaces, on busses or planes, and in the community. They even have well-known role models in celebs with disabilities who have become peers and disability advocates who raise public awareness. (Meet celebs with disabilities in Lesson 10).

Beyond Access to Full Participation

After years of focusing on mobility and accessibility, disability advocates noted that access solutions and the "special needs approach" helped only a small percentage of the disabled population. "Special needs" also furthered the stigma of being "different" and "not equal to the majority." Being treated specially can make independence and self-sufficiency goals even more difficult to achieve.

As a result, the Disability Community began to emphasize the goal of full participation in the mainstream society. They want to be contributing citizens who just happen to have human differences, such as being left-handed, extremely obese, or having one or more physical or mental impairments.

To approach a middle income standard of living, people with disabilities may need more education, vocational training, and equal employment, not to mention affordable housing and community-based services. All of the above cost more than our society has been willing to pay, thus the slow (but increasing) pace. You may help speed the day when the percentage of people with disabilities, lower incomes, AND unmet needs is VERY SMALL.

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