08/01/2025
W O W !! 😮
HISTORY in brief of the ADA BILL of 1988 -
T H I S is how it went down:
It was 1977, with section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973) on the table, both administrations of Nixon and Ford did not move forward on implementing 504.
Partial section: "The ability to navigate without physical barriers in their communities".
On April 5, the disability community held demonstrations in Washington, DC and other US cities, protesting that 504 be signed. The determined protesters went to San Francisco and during that time, became the largest non-violent occupation of a federal bldg. in U.S. history! After a month, 504 was signed. However, the 504 victory would be short-lived.
In January 1982, section 504 programs were on the chopping block. 40,000 letters of those in support to "push" the bill forward arrived at the White House. Bush relented that section 504 was off-limits.
Fast forward 10 years later from the time that 504 was introduced...many of the regulations had yet to be enforced. Rightfully ANGRY activists took to the streets. Many chaining wheelchairs to buses and forming blockades in front of them.
In March of 1988, members of congress were confronted with a massive protest, 1 mile from the Capitol. Then the ADA Bill was finally introduced that same year. The bill never even made it to the floor. But it didn't matter. The main objective was that the bill was "introduced" in a profound way, because there was about to be a presidential campaign.
George H.W. Bush made a bold promise to the disability community to promote their inclusion. His uncle was also a Polio survivor. However, the stakes, interests, and consequences were high. With concern for the potential costs, scores of lobbyists were sent in to derail the bill. Once again, the legislation was in limbo.
Frustrated by the inaction, activists lead a crowd of over 500 protestors to the White House. At the base of the capitol, protestors parked their wheelchairs, dropped to the ground and started dragging themselves up the 83 marble steps while chanting "ACCESS NOW" and "ADA NOW". 🎥*SEE the video below of the actual footage.
Three months later...the bill was finally up for a vote. The most important Civil Rights Bill since 1965 was FINALLY APPROVED by a resounding vote of 91 to 6!
35 years ago, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush.
In the words of legendary disabled advocate Anita Cameron, "Civil rights aren't given. You have to fight to get them and then fight to keep them."
"Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down. God Bless you all". George H.W. Bush