Some time ago, I wrote a workshop about the history of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It captured many of the events that led to how special education laws came to pass. It was a journey that unveiled intricate pieces of our disability history. It was also a very emotional experience for me, since I learned a great deal of what it might have been like for Richie had we been around in the early eighteen hundreds.
No one knows this, but I cried silently at my desk several times while reading disturbing articles in my research. There is much to learn about our history, because it teaches us about ourselves, how we see other people around us, and our belief in the constitution and what it really means. Think about that for a moment. Leaving race, ethnicity, social status, gender, sexual orientation, and disability out of the equation - How do you value a human being? There are many who would still need questions answered before replying. Sadly throughout history, the value of a human being was determined by race, ethnicity, social status, gender, sexual orientation, and abilities. Even sadder is the fact that in many situations it still is.
For centuries, people with disabilities have had to battle cruel misconceptions, prejudices, maltreatment, and being reduced to people who don’t have any meaningful contribution to society. It might have remained that way for a lot longer than our existing historical timelines, but the African American Civil Rights movement sparked a chronological change in major issues regarding equality, access, segregation, and public or private acts of violent discrimination. When I think about the African Americans defending their right to sit in the front of the bus in the 1950’s, and shortly after that, people with disabilities defending their right to be able to get on the bus, I realize it’s been quite the lateral journey.
Black history month is a time (certainly not exclusively) to honor and celebrate the long list of courageous African American individuals who dedicated and sacrificed their lives battling ironclad systems of all sorts of wrong. With little or no support, they carried on, enduring the severe costs that came with pursuing equal rights. The human spirit that lives in impassioned people who are meant to do great things acknowledges social injustices and its impact on his or her fellow people, their cultural details don't determine their right to equality. As we reflect on the courageous acts of our noble civil rights leaders (well-known and unsung heroes), we recognize that their unwavering acts of advocacy significantly contributed to more than just the African American community.
As a parent of a child with autism, I know that the African American Civil Rights movement helped pave the way for the Disability Civil Rights Movement in every way imaginable. While there were many efforts made long before the famous Brown v. Board of Education case, it is still the most important landmark case in civil rights history to bring many issues to light.
Back then, children with developmental disabilities were immediately placed in institutions shortly after birth. Often times, it was recommended the mother not see her newborn, they were told it would be "too painful to let go." It would also pain you to know as it did me, that many institutions didn't turn on the heat or air conditioning because these non-verbal people didn't request it or complain about it. There are other cruel details, but it moves me to tears thinking about it as I write this post. Those individuals weren't worth the expense of life's necessities. Children with disabilities weren’t allowed to go to school, not even a segregated one. It wouldn’t be long before parents, advocates, and leaders of the disability community would come forward to make their case for their right to:
- obtain a free and appropriate education alongside their peers
-
access to things in their community -
- buildings
- transportation
- recreational activities
- continuing education and vocational programs
- employment opportunities
- financial security
- vote
The road to equality and positive change is a long and challenging one that moves in a snail-like pace. Still, we move forward, taking lessons from our valiant, civil rights activists (Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks) in educating ourselves, advocating for others, and staying true to our standards, moral code, and cause. After all is said and done, we shall overcome.
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