Jahin Claire Oh
Archbishop Mitty High School
Abstract
The 504 Sit-in of April 5, 1977, marked a pivotal moment in the American Disability Rights Movement. Following years of inaction on Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, which prohibited discrimination against disabled individuals in federally funded programs, over 120 disability rights activists occupied the Health, Education, and Welfare building in San Francisco for 26 days. Led by organizers Judy Heumann and Kitty Cone, the protesters endured government attempts to end the demonstration through cutting phone lines and denying food and water. The sit-in drew inspiration from Civil Rights Movement tactics and received crucial support from allies like the Black Panther Party. This protest ultimately forced government officials to implement Section 504 regulations, establishing the foundation for future disability rights legislation. The 504 Sit-in directly influenced the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, transforming American society’s approach to disability rights and accessibility while demonstrating the power of organized disability activism.
