MLK Paved the Way for Disability Rights

We celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. every January on the third Monday to honor his contributions to the civil rights movement. Through his work, he broke down barriers and abolished stereotypes, resulting in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination based on “race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” Many are not aware that his work also furthered disability rights.

Dr. King’s message, “separate is not equal,” was a shaping force and helped end the hiding of people with disabilities in institutions and at home. Many of the strategies he used for peaceful social change were adopted by disability activists. African Americans who bravely crossed the line and sat in restricted areas in restaurants and who refused to sit in the back of the bus encouraged those with disabilities to sit in federal buildings and block the way of non-accessible buses until Congress recognized their cause.

Without Dr. King’s example and leadership, rights for people with disabilities may not be what they are today. He inspired advocates to fight for a more accessible country. Early influencers worked toward basic adaptations like accessible parking and building codes to provide equal access. This week, we honor his memory and are grateful for his leadership in including people with disabilities as contributing members of our communities.