Wheelchair Commandoes and Legislative Lions

This presentation will share the untold story of the early years of the Wisconsin disability rights movement. It will focus mainly on the long journey to freedom and inclusion for people with physical disabilities but also touch on the heroes and accomplishments of other disability groups. The book is built around the work of a diverse group of “giants” who challenged society’s deeply-rooted assumptions and stereotypical biases toward people with disabilities. It focuses on their stories and the major tipping points in the struggle for full citizenship and against discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation and communication services — much of it accomplished before federal passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).