Disability Timeline

Resources

Disability Healthcare & Stigma: A historical Perspective

Click on the "+" to learn additional information about the significance associated with each date.

May 1935

August1935

September 1973

1974

October 1975

November 1975

July 1990

October 2010

It became a federal law that children with disabilities have the same opportunity to receive a free public education. Funding and resources would be available so an appropriate education plan could be created to meet each child’s individual needs. Children with disabilities are also highly encouraged to be in the classroom with other children their age. This is significant because it not only allows every child to feel a sense of belonging, but also teaches children that differences should not separate us.

November 29, 1975

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was signed.

The "Ugly Laws" were a set of laws enacted in the late 19th/early 20th century. The acts intended to keep those living with disabilities out of the public eye. For instance, a San Francisco passed law in 1867prohibiting "any person, who is diseased, maimed, mutilated or deformed in any way, so as to be an unsightly or disgusting object, to expose himself or herself to public view." Efforts that we now acknowledge are abhorrent essentially legalized discrimination against disabled individuals furthering disparities and perpetuating undeserving stigmas.

1974

-The last of the "Ugly Laws" are repealed

Resources

The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accomadations, communications, and access to state and local government' programs and services (U.S. Department of Labor). Government entities and employers must make necessary adjustments to enable equal participation by individuals with disabilities (Blanck, 2022). This led to equality, acceptance, inclusion, awareness, and respect of individuals with disabilites.

July 26, 1990

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was signed

August 14, 1935

The Social Security Act of 1935 was signed into federal law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, designed to provide financial security for vulnerable populations and promote economic stability. Its purpose was to address the widespread poverty and unemployment caused by the Great Depression. The Act established a federal program offering old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, and assistance for dependent children, the disabled, and the blind. It also funded public health initiatives and welfare programs through a payroll tax system. Over time, the Act's coverage expanded to include survivors’ benefits, disability insurance, and Medicare, retirement, and elimination of financial barriers for Americans across different stages of life.

President Obama signed a law into place that replaces the word “Mental Retardation” with the term “Intellectual Disability” This allows the disabled to be referred to with respect. By changing the language of how we refer to the mentally disabled creates an appropriate word that takes away from the negative view of having a disability. Changing the word opened up more doors for these induvlas to get jobs and live normal lives.

October 5, 2010

President Obama signed "Rosa's Law"

October 5, 1975 - The Devleopmental Disabilites Assistance and Bill of rights are enacted.

The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights are a set of federal laws meant to improve the conditions of individuals living with disabilities encouraging independence and inclusion. The act entails federal funding of various nonprofits/national research efforts, assurance of public safety policies of disabled people, support of legislation providing essential services, etc.

Citizens united to challenge public policy and the many misunderstandings surrounding individuals with disabilities, (NPS, n.d.). They fought against the Works Progress Administration who deemed those with disabilities as “unemployable”. This organization has had a significant impact on the stigma surrounding disabilities as they proved the importance of advocating for these individuals to determine their strengths and provide them with appropriate job opportunities.

May 1935

The League of the Physically Handicapped was formed.

Congress enacted the act to "empower individuals with disabilities to maximize employment, economic self-sufficience, independence, and inclusion and integration into society" (Baumgras, 2010) It prohibits discrimination of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, employment, and in programs receiving federal financial assistance (U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division). This allowed disabled indiviudals more equitable and just access to healthcare, education, and public services.

September 16, 1973

The Rehabilitation Act was passed