Turning Points - Disability Histories

The past 50 years disabled people transformed social and cultural landscapes. Activism, legal changes and opportunities for inclusion brought generations of disabled people into public spaces and consciousness. These are a few of the Turning Points.

(gold key = events that Corbett participated in)

Three people sit in wheelchairs - one white man using mouth navigation, a black man, and a white woman. A woman stands behind them doing ASL interpretation.

Founded in 1972 by disabled community activists and nondisabled allies, the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley (CIL) changed the perception of disabled people as recipients of care to proud people capable of changing society. This disabled-led model provided bases of connection and advocacy for disability community in the US and around the world. (CIL oral histories @ Bancroft)gold key

A group of protesters, some of them using wheelchairs, sit outside the federal building in San Francisco.

504 Protests: In 1973 Section 504 became law. It prohibited discrimination by any entity receiving any federal funding. But 4 years later that law was still not in force because of delays in the enforcing regulations. In April 1977 a diverse coalition led by disabled people occupied federal offices across the U.S. The San Francisco sit-in lasted 26 days and resulted in the regulations being issued. Finally disabled people, and people considered disabled, had federal protections against discrimination. These protests, and especially their success, inspired future generations of disabled people who created for the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. (More about 504 protests)gold key

T-shirt: Disabled Women Change the World - From Berkeley to Beijing

Disabled Women’s Symposium: In 1995 disabled women and allies from around the world gathered at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women NGO Forum in Beijing. Disabled women created a Disabled Women’s Symposium. The exchange of ideas fueled international networks and changes for disabled women and girls around the world. gold key

Disabled Queers t-shirt: Proud, sexy, joyous and loud; passionate and strong; diverse and united; resilient, bold; resourceful; activists; lovers; out

Queer Disability Conference: In 2002 a broad spectrum of disabled queers from around the world gathered in San Francisco. Featured speakers represented Deaf, intersex, MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities), Autistic, trans*, cancer, and many other communities. gold key

Carrie Ann Lucas, a woman using a wheelchair, sits in front of a screen reading "White House Forum on Civil Rights of Parents with Disabilities."

Parenting: Disabled parents fought hard against discrimination that often removed their children through legal advocacy, media, and conferences. Watch Mothers and Daughters. gold key

A group of people on stage with "Sundance Festival" on the screen behind them.

Crip Camp: The 2020 Oscar-nominated Netflix film initiated new conversations on disabled people. Crip Camp follows one thread of the diverse histories of the U.S. disability rights movement. gold key

Cheryl Marie Wade - Disability Culture Rap

Disability Culture Rap: Groundbreaking video of photos of a wide variety of disabled people over the soundtrack of Cheryl Marie Wade reading the title poem.gold key

Disable protesters

Protesting: Disabled people are increasingly working in coalition to change systems and decrease barriers for all.gold key

Liz Carr - Olivier Awards - a woman wearing a black top and a pink skirt sits in a power chair.

Liz Carr was named Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 2022 Olivier Awards for her performance as Dr. Emma Brookner in The Normal Heart. She was the first disabled actor to play the disabled doctor Linda Laubenstein.

The legacy of American disability - Stacey Park Milbern

Stacey Park Milbern became one of the few disabled people selected for a Google Doodle to honor her profound impact on community organizing, mutual aid networks, and racism facing disabled people of color.