Road to Independence Disability Laws

Center for Independent Living

Centers for Independent Living are community-based, cross-disability, non-profit organizations that are designed and operated by people with disabilities.

Ed Roberts, Father of Independent Living Movement

We Practice What We Preach!

More than 51% of our staff and board members have a disability.

We didn’t just learn our mission; We live it!

Independent Living Philosophy

Emphasis on consumer control, the idea that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs, having crucial and valuable perspective to contribute and deserving of equal opportunity to decide how to live, work, and take part in their communities, particularly in reference to services that powerfully affect their day-to-day lives and access to independence.

Independent Living Philosophy

Everyone has the right and ability to live independently.

Independence does not necessarily mean living alone.

Independence is asserting control and ownership of one’s life by taking an active role.

Barriers in the United States

Barriers to Community Inclusion

Three major types of discrimination have been identified in society over the last century:

• Attitudinal: negative language, misconceptions of people with disabilities

• Programmatic: lack of accommodations (i.e. TTY, interpreters)

• Architectural: physical barriers

History of the Disability Rights/Independent Living

Movement

Disability Rights Movement

Independent Living Movement

Major Disability Rights Laws

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Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Authorizes formula grant programs of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, independent living, and client assistance. Also authorizes a variety of training and service

discretionary grants administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

Section 504 is one of the nation’s first laws barring discrimination base on disability.

Simply made it illegal for recipients of federal funds to discriminate on the basis of disability.

Modeled on Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964.

13

Rehab Act – Sec. 504

Applies to: Almost all public school districts Public and most private colleges and

universities. Health and social services, programs. Public housing authorities, cities and towns

that receive Community Development Block Grants or other federal funds, private for profit or non-profit housing developers, and student housing.

Transportation services Applies to the Corporation for National Service

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Rehab Act - employment

Section 501 requires affirmative action and nondiscrimination in employment by Federal agencies of the executive branch.

Section 503 requires affirmative action and prohibits employment discrimination by Federal government contractors and subcontractors with contracts of more than $10,000.

Section 508 - all electronic and information technology developed, maintained, procured, or used by the Federal government must be accessible to people with disabilities, including employees.

Americans with Disabilities Act The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local

government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. 

Passed in 1990; signed into law by George W. Bush.

Title I: Employment (15 or more employees)-recruitment, hiring, training, pay, social activities

Title II: State and Local Governments- equal access to all programs, services, and activities; Public Transportation

Title III: Public Accommodations- prohibits exclusion, segregation, and unequal treatment

Title IV: Telecommunications Relay Services

www.ada.gov

Questions

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