5 minute read
The Disability Rights Movement: An Ongoing Trajectory
Written by Alison Stecker, Online Editorial Assistant Illustrated by Emma Gray, Arts Curator
Whether it be people of color, the queer community or women, history has seen marginalized populations’ continual fight for equality and acceptance within society. Though viewed as an afterthought by some civil rights activists, understanding the Disability Rights Movement is crucial for progressive and intersectional activism. The movement’s call for justice pushes back against the political, social and cultural forces of oppression that construct disability.
Our general understanding of disability tends to align with the characteristics of an impairment, or the “state of being diminished, weakened or damaged, especially mentally or physically.”1 Many assume the same terms define a disability, in reality, this notion is often influenced by social conditions and attitudes.2 An impairment only becomes a disability when society won’t accommodate, accept, include or value a part of someone that doesn’t fit within social norms.3
During the 1800s, people with disabilities were perceived as pitiful individuals unfit to live in society and contribute to everyday life. They were objectified and ridiculed, forced to en-
¹ “Impairment Definition & Meaning,” Dictionary, accessed Feb. 2022. ² Susan Wendell, “The Social Construction of Disability,” The Rejected Body, April 15, 2015. ³ Ibid. ter mental institutions and used for entertainment purposes in circuses.4 Treatment toward people with disabilities didn’t begin to shift until the early 1900s when new technological advancements could contribute to the self-sufficiency of disabled individuals post WWI.
By the 1950s, summer camps and rehabilitation centers were established to create a sense of community amongst disabled populations.5 In 1953, Camp Jened opened to facilitate the growth of friendship among generations of disabled people who would go on to become some of the most significant activists of the Disability Rights Movement.6
Although these initial advancements contributed to the growing spirit of independence for people with disabilities, disabled individuals were still denied access to public transportation, bathrooms, stores and even proper education for decades.7 As the civil rights movement gained more attention, people with disabilities saw an opportunity to use the momentum around activism to demand equal treatment and equal access to all buildings.
⁴ “A Brief History of the Disability Rights Movement,” ADL, accessed Feb. 2022. ⁵ Julia Carmel, “‘Nothing about Us without Us’: 16 Moments in the Fight for Disability Rights,” The New York Times, July 22, 2020. ⁶ Ibid. ⁷ “A Brief History of the Disability Rights Movement,” ADL, accessed Feb. 2022. The passing of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 allowed people with disabilities to be legally protected for the first time in history. Still, Section 504, which prohibits discrimination against disabled people and guarantees disabled children access to an education, was not properly enforced for several more years. In 1977, disability activists hosted the 504 Sit-in—it was the longest sit-in at a federal building ever recorded, meant to demand full implementation of the act.8
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was finally passed in 1990 to guarantee equal employment opportunities and access to accommodations for people with disabilities.9 Although the passing of legislative demands may ensure equal access and treatment for people with disabilities, there are still harmful beliefs about disability that persist today.
Currently, the Wisconsin government allows employers to pay less than minimum wage to disabled individuals with a certain certificate from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.10 Moreover, the FDA banned the use of electric shock devices on people
⁸ Judy Heumann, “Judy Heumann: ‘Crip Camp’ didn’t win Oscar, but it’s still a win for people with disabilities,” USA Today, April 23, 2021. ⁹ “A Brief History of the Disability Rights Movement,” ADL, accessed Feb. 2022. 10 “Wisconsin Minimum Wage Laws – 2022,” Employment Law Handbook, accessed Feb. 2022.
with mental disabilities in 2020, but it was recently overturned by the federal court in 2021.11
The U.S. Department of Transportation also announced a revision to its Air Carrier Access Act to no longer consider emotional support animals as service dogs.12 Emotional support animals can ease anxiety, depression or other conditions that are considered mental or intellectual disabilities, discriminating against a large portion of the disabled community.13
There is still a widespread belief that people with disabilities are less than. The “Better Dead Than Disabled” trope supports the idea that having a disability diminishes one’s quality of life because they are unable to carry out “normal” everyday tasks. Further, since people with disabilities are portrayed as in pain or suffering, medical professionals may believe assisted suicide or other forms of euthanasia are the best “solutions” to their disability. Assisted suicide is still legal in 11 jurisdictions in the United States.14
Not Dead Yet is a grassroots disability rights group that opposes the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia, and resists ableist notions that put disabled lives beneath the societal norm.15 People can support this organization by donating to the Center for Disability Rights. Amplifying disabled voices and educating oneself about disability are other ways to support the movement and overall activism.
The Disability Rights Movement is an ongoing trajectory. The devaluing and discrimination against disabled people based on the firm belief that temporarily abled-bodies are superior are still present throughout society. The only way change will come about is if we, as a society, shift our understanding of disability and societal norms to recognize that disabled people enrich our world and make it stronger. ■
11 Adiel Kaplan, “Appeals Court Axes FDA Ban of Electric Shock on the Disabled,” NBCNews, July 9, 2021. 12 “U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Final Rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals,” U.S. Department of Transportation, accessed Feb. 2022. 13 Stephanie Gibeault, “Everything You Need to Know about Emotional Support Animals,” American Kennel Club, Feb. 24, 2021. 14 “Assisted Suicide in the United States.” Wikipedia, Jan. 22, 2022. 15 “Not Dead Yet,” Not Dead Yet, accessed Feb. 2022.
