Historical Milestone Timeline-People

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Milestones:

Disability, Society, Technology & Policy

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Table of Contents

People

Gunnar Dybwad

Jessica Cox

Gandhi

Sinéad Burke

Louis Braille

Hugh Gallagher

Ed Roberts

Tim Berners-Lee

Gitanjali Rao

Sir Ludwig Guttman

Malala Yousafzai

People

This section explores important individuals in the past century who had a major impact on society through philanthropy, innovation, and instigating positive change through diversity and inclusion.

FDR Presidential Library & Museum, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In a gentle way, you can shake the world.-Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi

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Louis Braille

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• Inventor of the Braille system in the 19th century.
• Transformed literacy for the visually impaired, leading to educational reforms and better access to jobs.
• Overcame challenges like high material costs.
• His legacy emphasizes inclusive design, impacting modern assistive technologies.

• Key figure in independent living movement. Founded first Center for Independent Living in Berkeley.

• Empowered individuals to live independently, promoting community integration.

• Shifted perceptions of disability rights, but faced criticism for individual responsibility focus.

Ed Roberts

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Gunnar Dybwad

• Gunnar Dybwad: Advocate for Disability Rights
• Promoted inclusive policies & special education
• Reframed disability as a civil rights issue
• Pioneered self-advocacy for empowerment

Note: Focused on developmental disabilities; broader needs may not be fully addressed.

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Sir Ludwig Guttman

Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a pivotal figure in sports medicine, founded the Paralympic Games to promote sports for rehabilitating individuals with disabilities. His work transformed views on disability and highlighted the importance of physical activity in rehabilitation.

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Australian Paralympian Tony South receives his gold medal for the archery Albion Round at the 1968 Tel Aviv summer Paralympics from the founder of the Paralympic movement, Ludwig Guttmann

Hugh Gallagher

• Hugh Gallagher helped draft the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, the first law affirming the rights of people with disabilities.
• His efforts led to the Act, mandating federally funded buildings be accessible, promoting inclusion.

Hugh Gallagher (left) with Alaska Senator Bob Barlett in the 1980s

Judith Heumann

• Key disability rights activist.
• Advocated for education and employment, creating opportunities and rights for disabled individuals.
• Highlighted barriers and promoted understanding.
• Critique: Focus on legal solutions may overlook social and cultural factors in marginalization.

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Tim Berners-Lee

• He invented the World Wide Web, revolutionizing access to information and transforming communication.
• His work made information accessible globally, allowing diverse connections and collaborations.

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Jessica Cox

• Cox became the first licensed armless pilot, challenging perceptions of disability and inspiring many.
• Her resilience increased visibility for people with disabilities and promoted inclusion.
• Her story emphasizes the need for inclusivity and breaking stereotypes
• It’s crucial to acknowledge that her achievements don’t represent all individuals with disabilities.

Malala Yousafzai

Malala's advocacy for education and women's rights has inspired millions, especially young girls, to demand equal opportunities. Her work highlights the need for education and breaking barriers for girls, leading to increased investment and access worldwide.

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Sinéad Burke

• Burke, a Little Person, advocates for inclusivity in fashion, urging designers to to ask “is this accessible?”
• She has been featured in Vogue, TED Talks, and World Economic Forum.
• She hosts a podcast, "As Me" with famous guests that challenge unconcious biases
• Authored a children's book Break the Mould
• Founder of Tilting the Lens, a consultancy firm dedicated to accessibility

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Gitanjali Rao

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• Inspired by Flint Michigan water crisis, she developed a device to detect lead content in water
• An award-winning innovator, Rao is a model of success in STEM for young women
• Although not focused on disability rights, her advocacy promotes diversity and accessibility in society, including for people with disabilities

Rao talks about her journey to innovation by overcoming fear of failure and leaning into her passions

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A report by Judith E. Heumann and others on the lack of authentic disability representation in media, offering recommendations for funders to improve this issue.

Criticism

Critics argue that the emphasis on elite sports in the Paralympic Games can overshadow the needs of non-elite athletes, suggesting a greater focus on accessibility and inclusion in daily life.

Sir Ludwig Guttmann mural, Friars Square shopping centre, Aylesbury

An Enduring Legacy

• Gandhi's principles of non-violence and social justice sparked global movements, notably in the sphere of disabled rights.
• He championed equality and inclusion for all marginalized groups.
• Despite his impact, critics claim his non-violence strategy occasionally fell short of instigating substantial change.

• These criticisms highlight the complexity of his legacy in striving for social justice.

However, the Act had limitations and faced implementation challenges, underscoring the need for ongoing advocacy for disability accessibility.

Negative implications

of the web

Though not focused on disability rights, his work improved accessibility for people with disabilities and supported assistive technologies. However, the web has also led to misinformation, privacy issues, and cyberbullying, requiring further attention.

A report by Judith E. Heumann and others on the lack of authentic disability representation in media, offering recommendations for funders to improve this issue.

Rao is the author of two books, including a problem-solving guide for students and educator in STEM fields

Promoting STEM

Rao developed an AI service that fights against cyber bullying

AI for Good

Malala: A Brief Timeline

Authored the memoir I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

2015

Victim of attempted assassination by Taliban

2012

Won the Nobel Peace Prize for advocacy of girl's right to education

2014

Consider this...

The enduring legacy of Gunnar Dybwad continues to inspire and influence many in the field of social work and advocacy for individuals with disabilities. However, his language, particulary usage of "mental retardation" should be considered outdated.

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Rao is the author of two books, including a problem-solving guide for students and educator in STEM fields

Promoting STEM

Rao developed an AI service that fights against cyber bullying

AI for Good

Heumann nature: The life and legacy of disability rights activist Judy Heumann

While her work doesn't directly involve disability rights, her fight for equal education helps open doors for everyone, including people with disabilities. Critics argue her narrow focus on education neglects broader challenges concerning economic, political, and healthcare barriers affecting girls and women.

Troubleshooting

How to get started

Welcome to Historical Milestones: Important discoveries in Disability, Society, Technology, and Policy. Here you will get a glimpse of major advancements in human civilization within the past century. If you wish to be guided through the slides with the audio narrator, just click on any paragraph or bulleted text (excluding titles) - and make sure you have activated the audio feature for the presentation. To navigate, click the arrows. Should the finger pointing symbol be present on a slide, meaning it will be indicated as a "button", it will have interactive clickable elements - feel free to engage with the elements, such as images that expand into new windows or take you to outside links.

Rao is the author of two books, including a problem-solving guide for students and educator in STEM fields

Promoting STEM

Rao developed an AI service that fights against cyber bullying

AI for Good

However, the Act had limitations and faced implementation challenges, underscoring the need for ongoing advocacy for disability accessibility.