In 1973 here in the US, Congress enacted the Rehabilitation Act, signed by President Richard Nixon. This act, and in particular Section 504 of this Act, prohibits discrimination of people with disabilities from any program receiving federal funding. This includes federal programs and agencies, securing more access for those with disabilities to education and employment opportunities via reasonable accommodation.
IDEA Act
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 established rights for people with disabilities in relation to public funds and spaces. Following it up with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the ADA further expanded on this concept, giving the BARE MINIMUM necessary to be considered “accessible”. Congress has updated the ADA a few times. New laws go into effect this year (2026) for better web access.
Following the Rehabilitation Act, The IDEA Act came after the Rehabilitation Act in 1990. IDEA replaced the EHA or Education for Handicapped Children of 1975. IDEA stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This act ensured people with disabilities have free and appropriate public education. It established special education. These acts are the beginning of the framework for the Americans with Disabilities Act that came later in 1990.
Additionally, amendments to the ADA in 2008 provided clarifications to definitions in the ADA for lower courts and overturned a few key Supreme Court cases where the determination of disability was more of a focus than if discrimination occurred. This 2008 legislation was signed by President George W. Bush.
Self Advocacy Action Steps
Having these pieces of legislation are the reasons why Self-Advocacy is so important. Most importantly, they establish rights of a person with a disability to live their lives. It does not ensure it is easy. Disability life is HARD. It’s scary. It’s incredibly annoying at times. All of these words are true for life in general. It’s scary because it isn’t “normal.” But we can self-advocate to make it more normal to others who do not understand disability. It is more than just empathy. It takes action.
First, you should be aware of your own disability. Research more about your own disability and how it affects others with the same condition. Know what are your strengths, along with what are your weaknesses. For example, one of my strengths is adapting to situations. I will try to figure out the best way to participate no matter the circumstance. It might not be the way everyone else adapts, but it works for me. Make a list of traits that you think are your strengths.
Additionally, think of ways you could improve or need any accommodations. Any accommodation you may need could be a reason to self-advocate. If you need equipment, talking to your local Vocational Rehabilitation may be a way you need to self-advocate.
Know Your Rights
Second, Know Your Rights and how to make a complaint for violations. You can file an ADA complaint online. There is no guarantee it will get a response (I’ve tried) but as long as you’re trying, you’re advocating. Advocating for better systems is a GIANT goal for every disabled person. The process is not good and hardly enforced.
However, if more people complain, especially people who are in better positions of power, it could inspire change. Giving up advocacy on any level because you think it won’t lead to anything GUARANTEES failure. By the way, if you need to file an ADA complaint, you can click this link . The ADA website has multiple ways to file complaints to make it as accessible as possible. I posted the link to the resources page on this site for future use.
When to File a Complaint
I filed complaints for non-compliance of hotel rooms that I could not use but were sold as ADA compliant, places that do not have proper curb cuts or ramps or genuinely terrible experience with uneducated customer service staff. Escalations to management of a company can be valid if you do not have equal access to where you want to go.
Last, in order to self-advocate, you need to be prepared. Know what you want. Be concise. I am TERRIBLE at this. Writing out my thoughts helps me when I need to talk to about what’s important to me. Everyone’s life journey is different and we experience different situations. Every unique experience can lead to a common goal. The common goal of disabled people is, for simplicity, not just equal but universal access.
Universal Design
To conclude, Universal design ensures access to everyone regardless of disability. Everything a disabled person can use an able bodied person can also use and most likely benefit from. Our desire for universal access does not impede anyone else’s freedoms or access. It only allows us to have a seat at the dinner table with everyone. The more we show our disabled lives, the more “normal” we become. The more educated able bodied people become about what are actual issues within the disabled community and what are manufactured perceptions of disability.
I am very passionate about Universal Design as a concept. In next week’s post, I will present some every day use items that are actually adaptive and universally designed devices that are used for everyone’s benefit.