Discuss the development of rights for people with disabilities. When did the move toward establishing equal rights begin? Historically, how had people with disabilities been treated? How have disability rights laws have changed over time?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

At a minimum, answers should discuss the birth of the disability rights movement
as occurring in the 1960s and 1970s. Prior to that time, there was a recognition of
different needs for certain groups, but there were few state and federal laws that
afforded equal rights to people with disabilities. Disabled veterans had received some
recognition and accommodations during the 1940s and 1950s, but civilians did not
benefit from the protections. The first of the four laws is Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (the predecessor of the ADA) was the first law to state that
the exclusion of a person with a disability was discrimination, allowing class status for
this group, mandating affirmative conduct, and requiring accommodations. The law
applied to all recipients of federal funds and to regular education public schools. The
Americans with Disabilities Act is a broad disability rights law that addresses public
accommodations, employment, transportation, telecommunication, and state and local
government discrimination (including services, programs, and public education). The
ADA does not specify a list of disabilities or impairments. The Civil Rights of
Institutionalized Persons Act does not confer additional rights upon those with
disabilities but does authorize the U.S. Attorney General to investigate conditions of
confinement in institutions, including both juvenile detention and correctional facilities.
The most important of these federal laws for children and adolescents is the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), because it protects their education and rights.
The core IDEA educational right is that all students with certain defined disabilities
(there are 12 categories) should receive a free, appropriate, public education in the
least restrictive environment.