Disability Rights Movement

Disability Rights Movement

From what we all know, disability refers to the condition of physical or mental impairment of any individuals that limits their ability to perform day-to-day activities. Disability can either be congenital or resulted from an illness or injury. It can also be a temporary, correctable, or a permanent condition. But there's one thing for sure, anyone with disability is concerned about his or her safety. And when going to health services or any form of services, it would be much better to have convenient accessibility for them.

Due to the special needs of those with disability condition, a Disability Rights Movement existed. This movement knows and understands the special needs and difficulty of such condition, which includes safety and accessibility. Both accessibility and safety are the primary issues that Disability Rights Movement works to reform. This remarkable movement wants to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, in which for some people is an inspiring endeavor. But, it is the right to have an independent life is what the movement's major goal and is the main goal of the same independent living movement.

Support or services for people with disabilities provided through legislation were very limited in the US. However, things began to change for the better in the year 1970s due to the efforts of people with disabilities for legal protection along with the rest of the population. This is also the same time when disability rights movement was born. Legislations and court rulings marked the organization of civil rights for those with disabilities. Some of the landmark disability rights legislations, like the Federal Rehabilitation Act, were passed during the 1970s and 1980s.

At present, you can see the fruits of Disability Rights Movement efforts through the changes made for the benefit of disabled people. True to their intention, access to public areas such as city streets, public buildings, and restrooms are some of the many noticeable changes brought about in recent years. Well, thanks to the effort of this movement. These changes are even seen in other parts of the world where installation of elevators, transit lifts, wheelchair ramps, and curb cuts, allowing people in wheelchairs and other mobility impairments to use public sidewalks, and public transit more easily and safely. From these improvements, parents pushing strollers or trolleys, bicycle users, and travelers with rolling baggage also benefit from them.

Disability Rights Movement centers its attention to access in education and employment, as well. Now, there are schools for students and adult learners with special needs. Adaptive technologies, which allow disabled individuals to do things they could not have before, help create access to jobs and economic independence. Access in the classroom has also helped improve education opportunities and independence for those with disabilities. The things that disability rights movement fought and continues to fight for will make the world a better place for disabled.