The disability community has suffered generational abuse and dehumanization leading to a push for the reconceptualization of disability. Thus, the disability rights movement has a long history, with examples of activism dating as far back as the 1800s. The three main goals of the movement were to gain and maintain legal protection for disabled people, to allow disabled people to exercise their rights as independent individuals, and to end social discrimination and stigmatization of disabled people. During the early to mid-1900s several disability related "advancements" were made including the following: 

1. 1920: The Smith-Fess Act established a federal program to provide vocational assistance to Americans with physical disabilities. 

2. 1932: Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first disabled person elected a US President.

3. 1950: National Standards for Barrier Free Buildings are developed based on a barrier-free movement by disabled veterans and the general disability community. 

    Coming off the heels of the civil rights movement, the disability rights movement really began to gain momentum in the 1960s after The Civil Rights Act passed. Under this act, disabled people are left out, and thereby denied access to employment and discriminated against based on disability. After disabled people and disabled allies advocated for The Civil Rights Act to be amended, the 1973 Rehabilitation Act is passed, which granted disabled people some civil liberties and protection from discrimination. Then the next major law passed as a result of disability advocacy initiatives is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. Under this law, the discrimination of disabled people is prohibited in many aspects of public life and accessibility accommodations are mandated. The overarching purpose of this act was to include and integrate people with disabilities into all levels of society. The disability rights movement is very complex with many events playing a role in the success of the movement. For a more detailed timeline of the history of disability rights in the United States please consult the following source: https://disabilities.temple.edu/resources/disability-rights-timeline.

 

What is ableism? ​

In its simplest phrasing, ableism is discrimination or prejudice against people who have disabilities. The sad reality is that the world wasn’t built with people with disabilities in mind. Thus, the world we live in is inherently “ableist.” At its heart, ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require fixing- classifying the disability community as “less than.” Ableism can take many forms as it isn't always as obvious as a building that has no ramp for wheelchairs. Instead, ableism can be present through ablest micro-aggressions, with sayings like “the blind leading the blind” or assuming the incapability/ helplessness of a disabled individual. It's tough not to be complicit in ableism when we live in a world that has it built into its very systems and structures. However, knowledge is power and by engaging with individuals that have disabilities you can better identify and avoid ableist behaviors.

​

   

​

​

​