This Month in Disability Rights History: April 2025
April has long been a month of major breakthroughs for the disability rights movement, particularly for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is a time when landmark court decisions, federal initiatives, and powerful acts of activism helped move society toward greater inclusion, education, and community living.
President John F. Kennedy’s Address to Congress (April 16, 1963)
On April 16, 1963, President John F. Kennedy addressed Congress regarding the treatment and rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Motivated by personal experience through his sister Rosemary, Kennedy called for a sweeping national effort to combat the neglect and isolation faced by people with disabilities. His speech laid the groundwork for decades of federal involvement in disability services and helped ignite the broader deinstitutionalization movement.
The Arc U.S. First National Conference (April 11, 1965)
On April 11, 1965, The Arc U.S. (then known as the Association for Retarded Citizens) held its first national conference. Although the organization had existed earlier, this moment unified local efforts into a national movement focused on civil rights, education, and community-based services for people with developmental disabilities.
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Consent Decree (April 5, 1971)
On April 5, 1971, the landmark case PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reached a consent decree. This case guaranteed the right to education for children with intellectual disabilities, paving the way for national legislation, including the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and later the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
504 Sit-in Victory in San Francisco (April 30, 1977)
On April 30, 1977, after a 25-day sit-in at the federal building in San Francisco, disability activists secured the signing of regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, prohibiting discrimination based on disability. Many participants were people with developmental disabilities, marking a powerful moment of self-advocacy.
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Olmstead v. L.C. Arguments (April 14, 1999)
On April 14, 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Olmstead v. L.C. The eventual ruling affirmed that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), fundamentally transforming policies around community-based living and deinstitutionalization.
World Autism Awareness Day (April 2, 2007)
On April 2, the world recognizes World Autism Awareness Day, established in 2007 by the United Nations. This day promotes acceptance, inclusion, and advocacy for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), highlighting the importance of support, rights, and equal opportunities.
Autism Acceptance Month and Other Key Awareness Activities
April is now recognized in the United States as Autism Acceptance Month, shifting the focus from simply raising awareness to fostering real inclusion and celebrating neurodiversity.