Independent Living

Workshops

Federal Laws Supporting the Independent Living Paradigm

by Maggie Shreve

Year Act Description
1968 Architectural Barriers Act designed to eliminate architectural barriers in all federally owned or leased buildings
1970 Urban Mass Transit Act required that all new purchases of mass transit vehicles be lift equipped; AFTA sought and won a court injunction barring implementation of the proposed regulations
1973 Rehabilitation Act Section 504 and related non-discrimination provisions in programs receiving federal funds
1975 Development Disabilities Bill of Rights Act Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies in each state were established
1975 P.L.94-142, Education of All Handicapped Children Act 
now Individuals with Disabilities Education Act		 written to require a free, appropriate, integrated public education for children with disabilities:  "mainstreaming" children with disabilities into regular classrooms
1978 Rehabilitation Act amendments Title VII, Comprehensive Services for Independent Living, was created; Part B funded creation operation of "centers"
1983 Rehabilitation Act amendments mandated that each state operate a Client Assistance Project (CAP); Title VII Part A funded to buy services for IL clients - a concept parallel to the basic VR program
1984 Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act provides that all polling places must be accessible
1985 Mental Illness Bill of Rights Act expanded P&As to cover mental illness
1986 Rehabilitation Act amendments advocates fought for and won "consumer control" for Tittle VII Part B center boards; supported work programs created and funded
1988 Air Carrier Act designed to provide for equal access on private airlines
1988 Civil Rights Restoration Act clarified that any organization or corporation receiving federal funds may not discriminate in any of their programs
1988 Fair Housing Act amendments prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in housing and creates universal design in new construction provision
1990 Americans with Disabilities Act creates broad civil rights protections for people with disabilities modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964
1991 Civil Rights Act allows for punitive damage in a civil suit for discrimination on the basis of disability in employment; strengthens Title I of the ADA
1992 Rehabilitation Act amendments dramatically restructures Title VII to set standards for CILs, to create an independent statewide independent living council responsible for statewide planning of center networks and independent living services, and establishes direct funding for centers in states where state funding for center operations is less than the federal allotment

Information provided by: Maggie Shreve, Consultant, 1523 W. Edgewater, Chicago, IL 60660, Voice/TTY: (312) 989-4385, Fax: (312) 989-8268


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