Throughout the course of history, federal legislation and Supreme Court decisions have empowered the evolution of rights for Americans With Disabilities. Milestones made by both branches of government have efficiently modernized and safeguarded this marginalized group of people. For instance, discrimination against these individuals is prohibited, in manners such as, education, public transportation, and employment. However, in the free country of America, their freedom wasn’t granted. Restaurants were able to refuse service to people with disabilities and people confined to wheelchairs were forced to leave them behind to be able to ride a bus or a train. Yet, with heinous discrimination, they still perceived an understanding with the federal …show more content…
They were considered tragic, meager, and a liability. Society pitted them and ridiculed them for who they are. In fact, many took professions in the circus because it was impossible to find a job while being crippled and many found it amusing to laugh at disabilities. This severity of intolerance proved to be a factor which pushed for rebellions all over the country. Ed Roberts was one of many who started a revolution that changed the rights of Americans with Disabilities forever. Ed Roberts was referred to as an American activist after he pioneered the disability rights movement. At fourteen years old, he was diagnosed with polio and was paralyzed from his neck down. From there, Ed Roberts faced nothing but obstacles. Since high school, Ed Roberts has been denied a diploma because he was disabled. However, fortunately, his mother was able to petition this decision. Still, even after being accepted to the University of Berkeley, they denied access to the campus because he was crippled. This was the final straw for Ed Roberts, as he then later pursued and pioneered the disability rights movement. Thanks to leaders such as Ed Roberts, legislative and judicial propelled equality for Americans with Disabilities with numerous acts and