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History of Accessibility
Accessibility has evolved over time, progressing from early architectural adaptations to modern digital inclusivity efforts, aiming to ensure equitable access for all individuals regardless of ability.
The idea of accessibility and the accessibility movement have common roots with the civil rights movement and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The first recognition of accessible design was brought in 1961 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI, then called American Standards Association Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities specifications.
The first recognition of accessible design was brought in 1961 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI, then called American Standards Association Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities specifications.
One successful example of this battle was the “Deaf President Now” student protests in March 1988 at Gallaudet University, the only liberal arts college for the Deaf and hard of hearing. The students refused to accept the appointment of a hearing president and after a week of protests, Gallaudet finally had a Deaf president for the first time in its history. This event galvanized the disability community and drew the attention of society in general.
Two years after DPN, the disability community was granted their own civil rights act with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and establishes design requirements for the construction or alteration of facilities required to be accessible.