In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, this collection highlights a curated list of interesting and informative facts since the inception of Section 504. These 50 things underscores the progress made in advancing disability rights and access, while recognizing the ongoing work needed to ensure full participation and equality for individuals with disabilities in society today.
1) 1975: The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, later re-amended as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990, was signed into law. This federal law guaranteed a free, appropriate, and public education for all children’s with disabilities for the first time in United States history.
2) 1977: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was implemented on a national scale due to the powerful organizing by disability rights activists to staging “504 Sit-Ins” amongst federal offices of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) across the country.
3) 1978: In Denver, Colorado, 19 disabled advocates blocked buses with their wheelchairs to highlight the inaccessibility of public transportation, chanting “We Will Ride!” This protest led to creation of the Americans with Disabilities for Accessible Public Transportation (ADAPT) to advocate for wheelchair-accessible lifts on buses from Denver to cities nationwide.
4) 1988: Students, faculty, and alumni at Gallaudet University, the global leader of education for deaf and hard of hearing students in D.C., held a weeklong “Deaf President Now” protest to secure the first Deaf President in the University’s 124-year history.
5) 1990: Over 1,000 disability rights activists arrived at the U.S. Capitol to demand the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Over 60 of these activists abandoned their wheelchairs and mobility aids to begin the iconic “Capitol Crawl” to demonstrate the inaccessibility of built environments for disabled individuals.
6) 1990: Shortly after the Capitol Crawl, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law expanding the provisions of Section 504 in all areas of public and private life, including: employment, education, and transportation.
7) 1996: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 required that any telecommunication technology and services to be made accessible for people with disabilities.
8) 1999: The U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision found the unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This pivotal decision recognized the rights of individuals with disabilities to receive services in the least restrictive and most integrated environment, a milestone for the Independent Living Movement.
9) 2006: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was ratified into international law ensuring the inclusion and human rights of individuals with disabilities world-wide.
10) 2008: The ADA Amendment Act was signed into law, clarifying the definition “disability” to ensure that all individuals with disabilities are protected under the federal statue.
11) Up to 1 in 4 adults in the United States have some type of disability, according to Center for Disease Control in 2023.
12) The unemployment rate of people with disabilities is more than twice as much as their non-disabled counterparts, according to the U.S. Department of Labor in 2023.
13) Around 21% of undergraduate students and 11% of post-baccalaureate students reported having one or more disabilities, according to the National Center for Education Statistics in 2020.
14) Around 15% of all public school students, or 7.3 million students, receive special education or accommodation services in K-12 public schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics in 2022.
15) People with disabilities find inaccessible and unaffordable transportation 15 times more difficult than those without disabilities, according to the World Health Organization in 2023.
16) 1 in 4 adults with disabilities do not have a usual healthcare provider, according to the Center for Disease Control in 2023.
17) Across all U.S. states, women with disabilities have lower median wages than men with disabilities, according to the U.S. Department of Labor in 2020.
18) There remains to be a large digital divide and access to technology between Americans who have a disability and those who do not, according to the US Census Bureau in 2021.
19) Only 31.3% of U.S. adults with disabilities with a Bachelor’s degree or higher are employed, compared to 75% of non-disabled adults with Bachelor’s degrees or higher, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023.
20) People with disabilities are 34% more likely than the non-disabled population to feel there isn’t enough inclusion of their identity group in media, and disabled people are 52% more likely than the general population to say the portrayal of their identity group is inaccurate, as of a Nielsen study in 2022.
21) Body-mind is a term often used in the disability community to challenge the notion that the body and mind are separate entities.
22) Crip Time describes a phenomenon shared by many disabled people that involves experiencing time differently from non-disabled folks, arising out of experiences such as brain fog, fatigue, differences in neuro-processing, or chronic pain.
23) Disability Justice is a movement developed and led by Queer, Trans, and BIPOC Disabled people to shift the focus of disability community work and organizing to address the ways ableism is linked to multiple systems of oppression.
24) Neurodiversity refers to the understanding that brains and nervous systems do not all operate the same, embracing all types of thinking as a naturally occurring variation in society.
25) Spoon theory is a concept created by the chronically ill community to illustrate the energy limitations that may occur with disabilities. It further helps visualize individual’s energy level by having a certain number of “spoons” available on any given day.
26) Independent Living is a movement and philosophy that facilitates community-based and cross-disability living environments that promote self-determination and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
27) Access intimacy is a concept that goes beyond accessibility, describing the emotional and relational connection between individuals with disabilities who understand and respect their access needs.
28) Non-apparent disabilities refers to a group of people in the disability community whose disabilities are not immediately apparent or visible to others.
29) Critical Disability Studies is a growing field that understands disability as a political, cultural, and historical experience compounded by intersecting and interwoven systems of power and oppression.
30) Interdependence acknowledges that each individual’s survival and access is interconnected with social support. It understands that no individual in society is full independent, rather we all rely on one another to live.
Note: many of these innovations were created by or for disabled people prior to the advent of Section 504. However, many of these innovations have grown in popularity among non-disabled users as disability access increased in U.S. society.
31) Curb cuts were originally designed for wheelchair and mobility-aid users to access sidewalks and public spaces. Today, curb cuts benefit a wide variety of people, such as commuters on bikes, parents with strollers, or delivery people with packages, enhancing accessibility and convenience for various individuals.
32) Bendy straws were first created for chronically ill and limited-mobility users to consume liquids without lifting a cup. Today, bendable straws are widely used for both disability-related and everyday needs.
33) Typewriters/keyboards were initially utilized by blind and low visions users to write various forms of communication. Today, keyboards have become an essential tool for written communication across various sectors of society and daily life.
34) Texting was first created to aid communication for d/Deaf and hard of hearing people through a system called a TTY. Today, texting is a common practice for all mobile phone users everywhere.
35) Electric toothbrushes were originally created to help individuals with limited mobility maintain a healthy dental hygiene. Today, electric toothbrushes have become a standard option among all individuals for better dental health.
36) Speech-to-text and voice recognition apps were originally developed as an accessibility feature to aid individuals with mobility or communication disabilities. Today, these features are widely used among all users for hands-free and convenient interaction with technology.
37) Fidget spinners were originally designed as sensory tools for individuals with Autism or ADHD. Today, fidget spinners and other sensory tools have gained great popularity among people seeking sensory stimulation or stress relief.
38) Automatic doors were initially created to aid people with mobility disabilities to access buildings and public spaces. Today, automatic doors are common practice in various public spaces making entry and exit easy for a variety of individuals.
39) Closed captions were originally developed to provide access to videos for individuals who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing. Today, closed captions have become a common practice across various media platforms, benefiting a wide range of individuals, such as those learning a new language or attempting to engage with a video in a noisy environment.
40) Audiobooks were first developed to allow blind and low-vision individuals have access to books and other forms of literature equitably. Today, audiobooks have gained popularity among a wide range of individuals in a variety of contexts.
41) Shift to Incorporating Disability as a part of Inclusion and Diversity Efforts: there has been a growing recognition of the vital importance of integrating disability within diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across sectors of society.
42) Increased Representation of Disabled Voices in Decision-Making: in alignment with the principle of “nothing about us without us,” the voices of people with disabilities in decision-making processes has increased representation across various sectors.
43) Community Integration: with the rise of the Independent Living Movement in parallel with the Disability Rights Movement, more individuals with disabilities have the right and opportunity to live independently and participate fully in the community.
44) Accessible Transportation: accessible public transportation has played a critical role in allowing for independence and mobility for people with disabilities.
45) Development of Universal Design Principles: Universal Design is a concept developed in the late 20th century with the goal to design products, environments, and services that are used to the largest extent possible by any user. Universal Design continues to be implemented in various facets and sectors of society, from housing to education to the workplace.
46) Inclusive Education: following pivotal civil rights legislation, both K-12 schools and institutions of higher education has been developing inclusive education practices, such as adapting teaching methods, curriculum, and learning environments, to better accommodate the needs of a diverse range of students.
47) Accessible Technology: the advancement of accessible technology has widened the opportunities for education, employment, social engagement, and access to resources for individuals with disabilities to access information and communicate effectively and efficiently.
48) Disability-Inclusive Language: disability language has also evolved greatly since the advent of section 504, with a move away from euphemisms and other derogatory terms to promote dignity, equality, and respect for people with disabilities.
49) Rise of Disability Advocacy Organization: following the advent of the disability rights movement, more organizations built for and by individuals with disabilities have been growing on the local, state, and national level across the U.S.
50) Disability Awareness and Allyship Workshops: with the rise of disability representation and lived experiences, allyship and accessibility workshops have been increasing to provide non-disabled folks with best practices on interacting and supporting individuals with disabilities.