Just after the advent of the Civil Rights movement in America – from the 1970s on – we saw significant change for our community through federal laws and court decisions.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. The ADA is one of America’s most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life — to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in State and local government programs and services. Modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin – and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — the ADA is an “equal opportunity” law for people with disabilities. |
https://www.ada.govA comprehensive list of civil rights topics as they apply to the I/DD community at large. |
https://www.thearc.org/what-we-do/public-policy/policy-issues/civil-rightsCPR is a non-profit public interest law firm providing mental health law and disability law services. It seeks to improve the quality of lives of people with mental illness and other disabilities through the systemic enforcement of their legal rights, while promoting improvements in services for citizens with disabilities. |
https://centerforpublicrep.orgDPPC is the independent state agency responsible for protecting the health and safety of adults with disabilities from abusive acts and omissions of their caregivers. Telephone toll-free 1-800-426-9009 V/TTY 24 hours a day, seven days a week (including holidays) to report suspected instances of abuse. |
http://www.mass.gov/dppc/A private, non-profit public interest law firm providing free legal assistance and information to people with disabilities throughout Massachusetts. |
https://dlc-ma.org/A private non-profit organization dedicated to being an independent and effective voice for children who face significant barriers to equal educational and life opportunities. Programs include an Autism Special Education Legal Support Center, which operates a hotline (617-357-8431, ext. 234) that offers free advocacy assistance, referral, and answers to questions about educational rights of children on the autism spectrum. |
http://massadvocates.org/Our mission is to eradicate discrimination in the Commonwealth by investigating and prosecuting Complaints of Discrimination that occur in Employment, Housing, Public Places, Access to Education, Lending, and Credit. We also offer training to help prevent discrimination from occurring. |
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-against-discriminationThe Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) works to ensure the full and equal participation of all people with disabilities in all aspects of life by working to advance legal rights, maximum opportunities, supportive services, accommodations, and accessibility in a manner that fosters dignity and self-determination. |
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-office-on-disabilityProvides information and guidance on accessible information technology to individuals living in New England. Offers online resources and publications, and a toll-free V/TTY information line staffed by people who can answer your questions about accessible IT. |
http://newenglandada.org
Disability rights are civil rights. The history of disability rights is fraught with stories of discrimination, segregation and inhumanity. As the English proverb says “we cannot know where we are going if we do not know where we have been”. It wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century that individuals with disabilities started to see the tide turning toward civil and human rights for them.