In 1977, disability rights activists staged a historic sit-in at the San Francisco federal building to demand the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This law was the first federal civil rights protection for people with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination by any program receiving federal funds. Despite being signed into law, the regulations needed for its enforcement were delayed for years. Frustrated by the inaction, activists, including Kitty Cone and Judith Heumann, occupied the building for 26 days. Their protest was the longest non-violent occupation of a federal building in U.S. history. The sit-in garnered widespread support from various community groups and ultimately pressured the government to issue the necessary regulations. This action marked a pivotal moment in the disability rights movement, leading to broader recognition and legislative progress for disability rights in the U.S.

In 1988, students at Gallaudet University, a university for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, protested the appointment of Elizabeth Zinser, a hearing person who did not know sign language, as their president. For over a century, the university had always been led by hearing presidents. The students demanded a deaf president, a majority of deaf members on the board of trustees, and no punishment for the protest participants. They shut down the campus for a week, gaining national attention and support. Their efforts succeeded, and I. King Jordan became the first deaf president of Gallaudet University. This protest, known as Deaf President Now, marked a significant victory for self-determination in the deaf community and led to increased recognition and rights for deaf individuals.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 allowed individuals with disabilities to join the federal and federal contractor workforce.             It served as a model for     the ADA of 1990, which addresses employment discrimination in the private sector. The Rehabilitation Act features two key provisions focused on preventing employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities: Sections 501       and 503.

Section 501 protects qualified disabled   individuals from workplace discrimination and harassment. It requires reasonable accommodations for disabled individuals, limits disability-related questions and required medical exams, keeps medical information confidential, and forbids retaliation against those    who oppose illegal        actions or participate in    investigative processes.

Section 504 prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. This law mandates equal access and opportunities for disabled people in all federally-funded programs. It ensures that qualified individuals with disabilities are not excluded from participation, denied benefits, or subjected to discrimination under any federally assisted program or activity. 

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to ensure their electronic and information technology is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Agencies must provide access comparable to that of non-disabled individuals and offer alternative means when full compliance is not possible.   It also mandates specific standards for accessibility, regular compliance evaluations, and reporting.

Kitty Cone was a pioneering disability rights advocate who played a crucial role in the 1977 San Francisco federal building occupation, AKA the 504 Sit-In, which led to the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. A steadfast activist, she also championed race and gender equality, fought against apartheid, and opposed the Vietnam War. Cone’s work with the Berkeley Center for Independent Living, the World Institute on Disability, and DREDF was vital in advancing accessibility and independent living. Her efforts significantly shaped the modern disability rights movement and paved the way for future legislative achievements.

Judith Heumann was a renowned disability rights leader and civil rights advocate. She served as Special Advisor for International Disability Rights at the U.S. Department of State and directed the Department on Disability Services for D.C. Heumann also worked as the World Bank’s first Adviser on Disability and Development and Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. She co-founded the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley and the World Institute on Disability in Oakland, receiving numerous awards, including the Henry B. Betts Award.

Johnnie Lacy, born in 1937, was a pioneering Black disability rights activist who played a crucial role in the independent living movement. Diagnosed with polio at 19, Lacy faced significant barriers, including discrimination during her time at San Francisco State University. Despite these challenges, she became a leading advocate for disability rights, helping to establish the Berkeley Center for Independent Living in 1981 and later directing the Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL) in Hayward, CA. Lacy’s work highlighted the intersection of race and disability and made significant contributions to advancing the rights and independence of people with disabilities. 

Justin Dart, Jr., born in 1930, is often hailed as the “father” of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). After surviving polio and becoming a wheelchair user, Dart shifted his focus from business to social change. As vice-chair of the National Council on Disability, he and his wife, Yoshiko, traveled the country collecting stories of disability injustices to drive legislative change. Their efforts culminated in the ADA’s passage in 1990, a landmark law championing equality for people with disabilities. Dart’s dedication significantly advanced civil rights for the disabled and transformed opportunities for millions.