Disability Rights Law (1970's to the Present)

During the 1970's and up to the present, activism among people with disabilities has become increasingly visible, both nationally and internationally. The emergence of the Disability Rights and Independent Living Movements has been critical to the development of state and federal disability policy leading up to and including the ADA. Over the past several decades disability activism in the United States has been directed at basic civil rights issues such as:

• Pressuring the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to issue the regulations implementing Section 504 in 1977
• Carrying out the national campaign to train people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities and other advocates and supporters in the use of Section 504 in the late '70s
• Organizing the defense of Section 504 and IDEA from threatened deregulation by the Reagan Administration in the early 1980's
• Strengthening disability rights law at the state and local level throughout the whole period
• Advocating for education for children with disabilities and fulfillment of the mandate of IDEA to educate children with disabilities in "the least restrictive environment"
• Organizing to support the enactment and implementation of the ADA.

Disability activism has also been directed at "independent living" issues related to the development of services and resources needed to support the personal independence of people with disabilities and to expand options for living in the community and participating fully in community life, such as:

• Developing the national network of Centers for Independent Living which combine self-help services and advocacy in organizations which typically are controlled and led by people with disabilities
• Closing down custodial institutions for people with cognitive and psychiatric disabilities and developing housing and services to support community integration,
• Expanding adaptive equipment and home modification services.

In the early 1980's, the Reagan Administration, as part of its general deregulatory effort, attempted to weaken Section 504 and PL 94-142. The Administration's effort was spearheaded by the Commission of Regulatory Relief, chaired by Vice President George Bush. A broad coalition, including people with disabilities, parents, legal and professional advocates, and service providers, organized quickly and was successful in protecting both Section 504 and PL 94-142. George Bush, as president, later vigorously supported the passage of the ADA.
 
Following the successful defense of Section 504 and PL 94-142, the focus on disability rights shifted to the state and local levels. Many states enacted or strengthened state nondiscrimination statutes, accessibility codes and other progressive disability policies. Independent Living Centers continued to spread. State and municipal offices and commissions on disability appeared in many communities. Protection and advocacy agencies broadened their scope to represent and to involve persons with a wider range of disabilities. The Parents Movement continued to fight for inclusive education and community services.