The 1960s-80s: A Crossroads for American Society
Social Movements of the 1960s: Catalysts for Change
"The 1960s put on the agenda of historians, issues that had been very marginalized before then -- the history of race and racism; women's history; the history more generally of ordinary people, neglected groups." |
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s brought immense change to American society, especially in regard to racism and sexism. People with disabilities were largely underrepresented in this movement, but the stage was set for a greater involvement of all citizens in seeking equal opportunity for all.
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Disability Visability: The Founding of the Special Olympics
Eunice Kennedy Shriver's founding of the Special Olympics in 1968 created a revolutionary platform of visibility for Americans with disabilities.
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"July 1968 was a fertile time for change, a time when the culture was open to new ideas, a time to bend the old norm and shape a new one. The Chicago Games, in short, united people with intellectual disabilities with so many others (women, minorities, the young) who were also searching for their basic civil rights, never mind freedom." |
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
“Enactment of Section 504 evidenced Congress’ recognition that the inferior social and economic status of people with disabilities was not a consequence of the disability itself, but instead was a result of societal barriers and prejudices. As with racial minorities and women, Congress recognized that legislation was necessary to eradicate discriminatory policies and practices.”
Arlene Mayerson, "The History of the Americans with Disabilities Act"
"Normally, what would have happened was representatives on race and gender, who were very established and esteemed lawyers, certainly people I liked and looked up to, would have gone to the meetings by themselves. And when we came into town and started working on that bill, we wanted to do our fair share of the work." Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities and granted equal access to public education. Its broad concepts, as well as the involvement of the disability rights community in its creation, paved the way for the ADA.
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Section 504 DemonstrationsDisability rights activists organized around the country to demonstrate in favor of the passage of Section 504.
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