Disability History Week

1978

Sit-ins held in Denver over the inaccessibility of the public transit system.

Federal government begins funding independent living centers.

Frank Bowe publishes Handicapping America considered the text for the disability rights movement.

1979

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund established in Berkeley, California and becomes the leader in disability right legal advocacy.

1980

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act passed. Allows US Department of Justice to file suits on behalf of residents of institutions.

First Issue of Disability Rag published.

1981

1981 was the International Year of Disabled Persons with ceremonies before the United Nations General Assembly. Governments world-wide were asked to promote the acceptance of the disabled into mainstream society. The theme was "full participation and equality" with an emphasis on the rights of the disabled in the larger society. The International Year of Disabled Persons would later be established as the National Decade of Disabled Persons for the years 1983 to 1992 by President Ronald Reagan.

1982

National Black Deaf Advocates founded.

National Council on Independent Living is formed.

1983

ADAPT is established and uses civil disobedience to obtain accessible public transportation and access to public and private buildings.

1984

Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act making polling places accessible. Considered difficult to enforce.