ADA Watch

“For some, it had been decades before they ever were allowed to choose where they wanted to live,” said Timothy A. Clune, executive director of Disability Rights New York. “A right denied for no defensible reason. These brave folks left behind a world of institutional confinement to pursue a dream of living independently.”

Disability rights case ends: 1,200 New Yorkers gain independence The case is being called one of the most significant reforms in state history.

Ed Roberts is considered one of the pioneers of the disability rights movements and is often called “The Father of the Independent Living Movement”.

After having polio as a child, Ed Roberts used a wheelchair and an iron lung, which is a large, full body ventilator that helped many polio survivors breathe. He dedicated his life to fighting against ableist polices and systems that denied people with disabilities the right to self-determination.

Along with Judy Heumann, he co-founded the World Institute of Disability, and he served as its president until his death in 1995.

As we recognize Disability Pride Month, we're looking back at one of the most important moments in disability rights history and the coalition that helped make it possible.

In 1977, disabled activists occupied a federal building in San Francisco, demanding the government finally enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the nation's first major disability civil rights law. The law had already passed, but without federal regulations, it couldn't be enforced.

The occupation became the longest nonviolent occupation of a federal building in U.S. history.

Officials tried to force the protesters out. Phone lines were cut. Utilities were shut off. Food became harder to get. Early donations from companies like McDonald's and Safeway stopped once it became clear this wasn't charity. It was civil disobedience.

That's when the Black Panther Party stepped in.

Through Brad Lomax, a Black Panther living with multiple sclerosis who was inside the occupation, the Party organized daily hot meals for the protesters. When officials tried to restrict deliveries, they kept showing up.

The Panthers explained it simply: "We support you because you're asking America to change, to treat you like human beings, like you belong. We always support people fighting for their rights."

For nearly a month, they helped make sure more than 100 occupiers had food. Disability rights activist Corbett O'Toole later said that without those meals, the occupation might not have lasted.

On April 28, 1977, the government signed the Section 504 regulations, finally making the law enforceable. Those regulations laid the foundation for later disability rights protections, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This victory wasn't won by one movement alone. Disabled organizers, labor unions, churches, community members, and the Black Panther Party all played a role.

That's an important reminder during Disability Pride Month. Progress doesn't happen because people care quietly. It happens because people organize, build coalitions, and show up for each other in real, tangible ways.

📸: Anthony Tusler

Join AAPD for our 2026 ADA Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday, July 22, at 6:30 PM ET at the Westin DC Downtown!

This year, AAPD will come together with disability community leaders, advocates, partners, and elected officials to celebrate 36 years of the ADA, and reflect on the work still ahead. At this year’s celebration they will honor Congressman Steny H. Hoyer for his lasting impact on the disability rights movement and his lifetime of disability allyship.

For decades, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer has been a strong partner to the disability community. His leadership helped move the ADA forward and helped make its promise real for millions of disabled people: more access, more opportunity, and a stronger foundation for full participation in everyday life. After the ADA’s passage, Congressman Hoyer continued his efforts to advance disability rights through the Help America Vote Act, the ADA Amendments Act, and more.

2026 ADA Celebration - AAPD 2026 AAPD ADA Anniversary Celebration Join us in community to celebrate the 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act! Save the date for AAPD’s 2026 ADA Anniversary Celebration on the evening of Wednesday, July 22, 2026! This year, we will recognize the progress made, reflect on the ...