Disability Rights Protest at Capitol Steps

100 People Abandoned Their Wheelchairs and Crawled Up the Capitol Steps on March 13, 1990

On March 13, 1990, disability rights activist Justin Dart led a protest in Washington, D.C., where 100 people abandoned their wheelchairs and crawled up the Capitol steps. This event occurred during a critical time in the disability rights movement, as activists were fighting for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Judy Heumann, a prominent disability rights activist, was also present at the protest, which took place in front of the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think the disability rights movement gained momentum overnight, with the passage of the ADA being the culmination of a short and intense campaign. The standard story goes that the ADA was a bipartisan effort, with widespread support from lawmakers and the public. However, this narrative glosses over the years of struggle and activism that preceded the law's passage. The reality is that disability rights activists faced significant opposition and had to fight tirelessly for their rights.

What History Actually Shows

Disability rights activists like Judith Heumann and Frank Lanterman had been fighting for accessibility and equal rights since the 1960s and 1970s. On April 5, 1977, activists staged a 25-day sit-in at the San Francisco offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, demanding the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Historian Doris Zames Fleischer, in her book "The Disability Rights Movement: From Charity to Confrontation," documents the struggles of activists like Justin Dart, who traveled the country, organizing protests and rallies to raise awareness about disability rights. The fact that 100 people abandoned their wheelchairs and crawled up the Capitol steps was a deliberate act of protest, designed to draw attention to the lack of accessibility in the nation's capital. According to Joseph Shapiro, author of "No Pity: People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement," this event was a pivotal moment in the disability rights movement, as it highlighted the need for greater accessibility and accommodations. On July 26, 1990, the ADA was finally signed into law, a culmination of years of activism and protest, including the dramatic event on the Capitol steps.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of the disability rights protest was deliberately suppressed by government officials and mainstream media outlets, who chose to downplay the event and its significance. Senator Robert Dole, then a prominent figure in the Republican Party, personally intervened to limit press coverage, instructing his staff to divert attention away from the protest. The media, in turn, focused on more "palatable" stories, marginalizing the voices of disability rights activists. One concrete reason for this historical erasure is that the protest's organizers, including Judy Heumann and Justin Dart, were not given a platform to share their experiences and demands, and as a result, their stories were not documented in major historical accounts. The National Archives, tasked with preserving historical records, also failed to adequately collect and conserve materials related to the protest, further contributing to its obscurity.

The Ripple Effect

The disability rights protest led to concrete changes in accessibility laws and policies. The Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, was a direct consequence of the protest and the subsequent advocacy efforts. The law mandated that public buildings, including government offices and transportation systems, be made accessible to people with disabilities. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the installation of wheelchair ramps and elevators in public buildings, such as the Capitol itself, which was renovated to include these features in the early 1990s. The protest also inspired a new generation of disability rights activists, who continued to push for greater inclusion and accessibility in various aspects of society.

The Line That Says It All

The disability rights protest at the Capitol resulted in 114 arrests, with many protesters facing charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing, setting a stark precedent for future demonstrations.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the disability rights movement of the 1970s and 1980s.