Disability Law and Policy

Review of Disability Law and Policy in America and International Treaty.

From reviewing Week 1 learning resources of Disability History and Disability Timelines, you now have a better understanding of what shaped the foundation of what we know today as the Disability Rights Movement in this country and the disability laws and policies that are in place as an effort to create a more just society. From the Learning Resources, you also have learned about national and international law, policy, and a treaty such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

For a better understanding, you need to read the resources for this topic included in the Learning Resources for this week and the additional resources and links posted under Learning Resources. You will also find additional information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) posted under the Announcements area as a brief summary of the ADA for your review.

Part I — Discussion 1: Please respond with a brief explanation of the following questions:

a) After becoming familiar with the History and Disability Rights Movement and the Americans with Disabilities Act – Was the U.S. in need of such comprehensive civil rights law for one specific population? Please explain.

b) Does the ADA influence your thoughts about to the rights of other populations or groups other than disability, such as race, gender, ethnicity, or LGBT, among others?

c) Have you witness through your own experience or that of people you know, if the ADA and its consequent policies have, in any way, improve people with disabilities social inclusion and interaction with others and therefore their quality of life.

d) Discuss one significant similarity and one significant difference between the ADA and the CRPD. Provide an example for each.

Part II — Discussion 2: Disability Rights Movement

To Do:

1. Read the learning resource entitled “A Brief History of Civil Rights in the United States” and the Disability Rights Movement and complete the following tasks.

1. Watch a Video: There are many educational YouTube videos about the Disability Rights Movement illustrating the advocacy efforts that were made to improve the quality of life and society’s inclusion of people with disabilities in their communities and the country.

3. Find one educational short educational Video or Documentary (YouTube) about the Disability Rights Movement and briefly explain:

a) What is the video/documentary all about? Please explain.

b) What were the significant points or messages the advocates/leaders were trying to make?

c) Compare the time when the video/documentary took place with today’ society. Is there any impact on society? What has changed? What has not changed?

Note: Remember to identify and list the source, title, and link of the video or documentary that you have chosen.

3. All parts of this discussion activity must be answered in the same discussion post. After posting your answers, please remember to participate in the discussion by responding to at least two of your classmates.

Thank You.

Prof. LWH