Movers, Shakers, and Activists
Ed Roberts
by David Plate
Ed’s Story starts with him as a fourteen, when he and his family was diagnosed with polio. His family all recovered, but the doctor pronounced Ed “a vegetable”. He spent most of his life after this on a iron lung, or a respirator. He went through all of his school years with his lung, and even was accepted into UC Berkeley. What UC Berkeley didn’t know was that he was a polio victim. Berkeley refused to allow him into the school, their reasoning was because his iron lung was too large to fit in a dorm although it has been noted that the school had a secret agenda. In the long term they accepted him into the school. He would later make a school organization known as the UC Berkeley Physically Disabled Students Program.
The UC Berkeley Physically Disabled Students Program, soon turned into much more. It evolved from non-students, then in the end it spawned the creation of the first Center of Independent Living. This made a massive movement for disabled people everywhere. Soon people with disabilities everywhere were flocking to Berkeley for this safehaven. Ed, of course, came back to be an executive of the living center. This later led to a much larger position.
In 1975 Ed was given the job of Director of Rehab. Throughout his time in this position he made changes and reformed to help the disabled people of California. In 1977 Ed and several others made it to the White House, where they then got many regulations approved. These regulations made a pathway for the Act of 1990. Ed worked until his final days of 1995. To this day his legacy lives on through all his acts, and regulations.
The UC Berkeley Physically Disabled Students Program, soon turned into much more. It evolved from non-students, then in the end it spawned the creation of the first Center of Independent Living. This made a massive movement for disabled people everywhere. Soon people with disabilities everywhere were flocking to Berkeley for this safehaven. Ed, of course, came back to be an executive of the living center. This later led to a much larger position.
In 1975 Ed was given the job of Director of Rehab. Throughout his time in this position he made changes and reformed to help the disabled people of California. In 1977 Ed and several others made it to the White House, where they then got many regulations approved. These regulations made a pathway for the Act of 1990. Ed worked until his final days of 1995. To this day his legacy lives on through all his acts, and regulations.
The Kennedy Family
by Robyn Feinberg
The Kennedy family deeply supported the rights of those with disabilities. Most of this was due to the personal connection that the family had to this matter. John F. Kennedy’s sister, Rosemary, was born with intellectual disabilities. In 1946, the Kennedy Family established the Joseph P. Kennedy (in memory of their eldest son), to “seek the prevention of intellectual disabilities by identifying its causes, and to improve the means by which society deals with citizens who have intellectual disabilities.” While in office, John F. Kennedy made intellectual disabilities a priority for his administration. On October 24, 1963, Kennedy signed the Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendment to the Social Security Act. This was the first major legislation to fight mental illness and retardation rights, increasing funding for maternity and infant care. Probably the most important piece of legislation ever signed (on October 31, 1963), provided funding for the construction of facilities for care, and treatment of people with intellectual disabilities. This law also helped train teachers how to teach those with special needs or learning disabilities. The Kennedy Family also helped change the way people saw others with disabilities. Their influences on policies, like those listed above, helped change the way for people with disabilities in America, and they can still be seen today. The Kennedy Family helped pass 116 laws through congress, all related to those with disabilities, and supporting them. One family, and one President, helped America realize what people with disabilities went through. They took something personal to them, shared it, and made a difference in the nation, without them, who knows where we would be today.
Roland Johnson
by Maria Bala
December 1986
I remember my very first day at Pennhurst State School. It was an institution in Pennsylvania that held many more people like me- the "retarded," the "defective," the "crippled." That's what people called us. We were dehumanized in their eyes and were seen as nothing more than a pile of garbage. They wouldn't even let us out because of those execrable "Ugly Laws" that allowed the arrest of people with physical disabilities. They didn't think we could feel like them, or learn, or think on our own. They segregated us from our families.
People called this place the Insane Asylum, where all the "maniacs," and the "feeble-minded" (Pirmann 2) were held. It seemed like the people without the intellectual disabilities were the ones that were narrow minded and ignorant. They never gave us a chance to use our God-given talents. We had dreams too. Now, they call the place"The Forgotten Hell." It was crowded and smelly, like an animal canal. It was a prison for the lesser advantaged, except the prisoners hadn't done anything wrong. We were abused and beaten. It was a nightmare, seeing innocent people locked away and hurt for having a disability. I spent thirteen years of my life in that forsaken place, from 1958 to 1971.
The greatest day of my life was when I was released from that prison. It was the spring of 1971, and I was free. Most of the time I spent isolated at Pennhurst was given to a good amount of pondering and hopeful thoughts, and I realized something important. In the institution, not one person was given the chance to make decisions for themselves. They treated us like helpless children who couldn't think for themselves. That was injustice. I knew, the moment I was released, what my purpose was in life: to help others who have disabilities like me achieve the rights they deserve, to speak up and fight for those who don't have the voice. I was going to close down this institution for good, and others like it. It was time for change.
I set about speaking for these people. I became president of the self advocacy group called Speaking for Ourselves. (Manders 3) I wanted to educate the public of the capabilities of the "incapable," that despite our disabilities, we are people first, and we all have our God-given talents. I gave several other speeches across the country in support of disability organizations like the American Association of Retardation, People First, and Speaking for Ourselves. I was tired of seeing the public treat innocent people so unfairly. This was my way of reaching out to the community and getting the rights that people with disabilities deserved.
I remember my very first day at Pennhurst State School. It was an institution in Pennsylvania that held many more people like me- the "retarded," the "defective," the "crippled." That's what people called us. We were dehumanized in their eyes and were seen as nothing more than a pile of garbage. They wouldn't even let us out because of those execrable "Ugly Laws" that allowed the arrest of people with physical disabilities. They didn't think we could feel like them, or learn, or think on our own. They segregated us from our families.
People called this place the Insane Asylum, where all the "maniacs," and the "feeble-minded" (Pirmann 2) were held. It seemed like the people without the intellectual disabilities were the ones that were narrow minded and ignorant. They never gave us a chance to use our God-given talents. We had dreams too. Now, they call the place"The Forgotten Hell." It was crowded and smelly, like an animal canal. It was a prison for the lesser advantaged, except the prisoners hadn't done anything wrong. We were abused and beaten. It was a nightmare, seeing innocent people locked away and hurt for having a disability. I spent thirteen years of my life in that forsaken place, from 1958 to 1971.
The greatest day of my life was when I was released from that prison. It was the spring of 1971, and I was free. Most of the time I spent isolated at Pennhurst was given to a good amount of pondering and hopeful thoughts, and I realized something important. In the institution, not one person was given the chance to make decisions for themselves. They treated us like helpless children who couldn't think for themselves. That was injustice. I knew, the moment I was released, what my purpose was in life: to help others who have disabilities like me achieve the rights they deserve, to speak up and fight for those who don't have the voice. I was going to close down this institution for good, and others like it. It was time for change.
I set about speaking for these people. I became president of the self advocacy group called Speaking for Ourselves. (Manders 3) I wanted to educate the public of the capabilities of the "incapable," that despite our disabilities, we are people first, and we all have our God-given talents. I gave several other speeches across the country in support of disability organizations like the American Association of Retardation, People First, and Speaking for Ourselves. I was tired of seeing the public treat innocent people so unfairly. This was my way of reaching out to the community and getting the rights that people with disabilities deserved.
Judy Heumann
by Jesha Le
Judith Heumann (Judy Heumann) was a civil rights advocate for persons with disabilities. She was born in 1947. As an infant, she was diagnosed with polio. Polio is a viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis. As a child, Judy wasn’t allowed to go to school with other children. She went to school before there were civil rights for students with disabilities. She attended a university that wasn’t designed for students with wheelchairs.
When she went to college, she went to a school that wasn’t designed for disabled students. She helped organize a group for disabled students to fight for ramps at school. She wanted to become a teacher, but wasn’t allowed to due to her disability. She filed a lawsuit and received her teaching certificate.
In 1973, Judy began work in Berkeley, working with other Disability Advocates at the first Center of Independent Living. She led a twenty-eight day sit-in protest about the Rehabilitation Act at a federal building in San Francisco in 1977. In 1981 she helped start the World Institute on Disability (WID). President Clinton appointed Judy Assistant Secretary of The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS). She became responsible for all special education and rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities in the United States. After she left that position, she became the Advisor on Disability and Development at The World Bank.
When she went to college, she went to a school that wasn’t designed for disabled students. She helped organize a group for disabled students to fight for ramps at school. She wanted to become a teacher, but wasn’t allowed to due to her disability. She filed a lawsuit and received her teaching certificate.
In 1973, Judy began work in Berkeley, working with other Disability Advocates at the first Center of Independent Living. She led a twenty-eight day sit-in protest about the Rehabilitation Act at a federal building in San Francisco in 1977. In 1981 she helped start the World Institute on Disability (WID). President Clinton appointed Judy Assistant Secretary of The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS). She became responsible for all special education and rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities in the United States. After she left that position, she became the Advisor on Disability and Development at The World Bank.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
by Maxine Balanon
I remember always looking up at my cousin Theodore as a president. I admired him a great deal, with his excitement and power. It always seemed to get me spirited in the nation. Especially at time now when American needs their faith back. The great depression has effect many civilians, and they need someone to inspire them again. Someone like me? Which is why as president of these United States, I shall bring America their Faith back and gain their trust in these hard times. Like I say, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.
Why, I remember when I was diagnosed with poliomyelitis, I believed I wouldn’t be able to walk again. However I fought to regain the strength in my legs, and now look where I am today. I was even able to become the governor of New York. I was always very smart since a child. With all the private tutors and home schooling my parents gave me. I was able to graduate from Harvard with a BA degree in only three years.
The year 1932 was the year I became president of the United States. The first order of mine would have to be, save the many unemployed people and give them their Bonus Act. Especially those of the disabled. My wife Eleanor was very supportive with this Act, showing me the different sides of the disabled. Although she disagreed with me becoming President, her support always made me a Joyful man. My wife Eleanor will continue to support me, even after my death.
Why, I remember when I was diagnosed with poliomyelitis, I believed I wouldn’t be able to walk again. However I fought to regain the strength in my legs, and now look where I am today. I was even able to become the governor of New York. I was always very smart since a child. With all the private tutors and home schooling my parents gave me. I was able to graduate from Harvard with a BA degree in only three years.
The year 1932 was the year I became president of the United States. The first order of mine would have to be, save the many unemployed people and give them their Bonus Act. Especially those of the disabled. My wife Eleanor was very supportive with this Act, showing me the different sides of the disabled. Although she disagreed with me becoming President, her support always made me a Joyful man. My wife Eleanor will continue to support me, even after my death.