Although people may not be aware of how disability history has shaped the path of people with disabilities, some people may find it interesting that there have been many people with disabilities who have influenced a lot of activities and initiatives in existence today. Many individuals with disabilities have placed their stamp on American history. In this post I am going to discuss why Ed Roberts’ contributions to the history and advancement of people with disabilities has impacted people’s lives in today’s environment.
This week the disability community celebrates Ed Roberts Day. He is one of the most important figures in disability history for many reasons. Ed Roberts gave the world a blueprint of how to live your life and accomplish your dreams despite your disability. Diagnosed with polio at the age of 14, he did not let that stop him from pursuing higher education and advocating for change that are now considered standard practice for people with disabilities. He is one of the people who led the way in the disability rights movement and showed that people with disabilities could do more than be defined by their physical limitations.
The idea of independent living would not have gained momentum during the time it did if Ed Roberts had not advocated for the rights and equality of individuals with disabilities. His efforts paved the way for the chance to live in our communities while having access to needed supports that would ultimately improve our quality of life.
He broke down barriers for people with disabilities to have an opportunity to experience independent living when other people said that we could not. He laid the foundation for people with disabilities to have the chance to live on campus during their college years, live independently with the supports they need, and be gainfully employed. If Ed Roberts would not have set a path in front of himself during his life, the struggles of people with disabilities in these areas may look considerably different today. There may not be a framework in place to allow students with disabilities to believe higher education or employment could be a possibility available to them.
During his time in college at The University of California, Berkley, he established The Rolling Quads. This group of students with disabilities would be the model of what students with disabilities service offices look like on most American campuses today. They worked together to create needed resources for students with disabilities to succeed in completing their education. This included what they crafted into accessible housing and making the first strides toward advocating for accessible architectural changes in their surroundings.Â
Ed Roberts is also known as “The Father of Independent Living Movement.” He along with a group of other people with disabilities started the first Center for Independent Living. Now widely utilized within communities across the country, Centers for Independent Living provide a range of supports and resources so that individuals with disabilities can navigate life within their communities.Â
Ed Roberts later became the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation in California. This agency is charged with assisting individuals with disabilities in obtaining a job. It can also assist you to tap into other needed resources to help you during your employment journey. These resources can minimize the obstacles a person with a disability may face in their line of work. In this role, he also proved that an individual with a disability can successfully oversee an agency.
As a result of his pioneering efforts, Roberts helped people with disabilities live more independently and expand on opportunities for a better life. People with disabilities can live within the community. They can have the full college experience, complete with living in the dorm rooms if they are available at your chosen higher institution. They can also be gainfully employed and hold a position of authority at the same time. The stereotypes he was able to crush helped move people with disabilities in the direction of being seen as people who can make valuable contributions to the world.
Learning about historical contributions of individuals with disabilities shows it is not a negative thing to have a disability. It is also clear evidence that those in the disability community can have positive and lasting impacts on the framework of society.
As a community and as individuals we should follow his example. He did not let his disability be an obstacle to what he wanted in life. The key is to follow your heart and not worry about what others say. Take the torch he has left for us and continue with the mission of advocating for full equity in all areas of life for people with disabilities.
His example encourages us along our paths even though we may feel like some things are insurmountable. There are steps everyone needs to follow to accomplish what they want in life. This is also true for individuals with disabilities. The only difference is that we must sometimes be more creative along the way. It is only a matter of plotting out the course of our lives and seeing things through to their completion.