Disability Rights Movement

The disability rights movement emerged in the late 1960s as the result of almost a century of effort on the part of disabled activists and their allies to effect changes in societal attitudes, economic policies, and laws regarding people with disabilities. The movement led to the passage of landmark civil rights legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. Historically, disabled people were variously defined as tragic, useless, feebleminded, and even evil, and institutionalization was often seen as their only option. Beginning in the nineteenth century, however, activists worked to counter stereotypes of disabled people, end discrimination against them, and affirm their right of self-determination, with the goal of allowing those with disabilities the opportunity to work and to live independently. Disability rights is a diverse movement, embracing activists with many different forms of disability and their able-bodied supporters. As a result, the movement has frequently experienced conflict from within. In addition, there has been resistance to social change from outside the movement, particularly from employers and organizations who have complained that requiring the accommodations necessary to make workplaces, schools, and other venues accessible to people with disabilities represents an unfair economic burden. The resolution of these conflicts constitutes the ongoing work of the modern disability rights movement.

--Credo