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The Struggle for Disability Rights - Overview of Disability History

Published on Wed, 06/11/2025

Ed Roberts, a smiling man with dark hair and beard is strapped into his wheelchair. He is speaking into a microphone.
Lifelong disability rights leader Ed Roberts in 1981. Photo by William Bronston, California Department of Rehabilitation.

The Struggle for Disability Rights: From Objects of Reform to Advocates for Equality

Published in the National History Day 2026 Theme Book - June, 2025

 

Overview article on disability history for teachers and secondary students.

We are proud to share this excellent overview summary of disability history!

Lynne O'Hara from National History Day (NHD) approached Emerging America in summer 2024 to write a summary on the history of the disability rights movement in order to meet a rising demand from students for the resources they need to research topics in disability history for NHD competitions.

The article speaks directly to the 2026 NHD theme: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. As the writing team finished the draft, we realized that this 2,500 word article would make an excellent overview reading for any class in. U.S. history, political science or civics. 

In addition to a broad summary of disability history topics across 250 years, the article features nearly 50 references to further resources and collections to support research. 

Learn more about National History Day and how to engage your students in this empowering, high quality program, and find your state affiliate. 

 

Authors

  • Kate Benson, Ed.D., President, Belchertown State School Friends
  • Rich Cairn, History, Civics and Social Studies Inclusion Specialist, Emerging America, Collaborative for Educational Services
  • Kate Melchior, Associate Director of Educator Engagement and Outreach, Massachusetts Historical Society
  • Ross Newton, Ph.D., History Teacher, HEC Academy, Collaborative for Educational Services
  • Graham Warder, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, Keene State College 

 

Access the article: The Struggle for Disability Rights: From Objects of Reform to Advocates for Equality

Download the National History Day 2026 Theme Book through May, 2026. The article summarizing disability history is on pages 21-27.

Emerging America got permission from NHD to permanently post this disability history article here on our web page after the 2026 NHD competition. 

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Rich Cairn

Civics and Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, Collaborative for Educational Services
Rich Cairn founded Emerging America in 2006, which features the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program at the Collaborative for Educational Services, and the National Endowment for the Humanities Landmarks of American History program, "Forge of Innovation: The Springfield Armory and the Genesis of American Industry." The Accessing Inquiry clearinghouse, supported by the Library of Congress TPS program promotes full inclusion of students with disabilities and English Learners in civics and social studies education.