Here are some landmark federal court cases that have shaped disability rights and laws in the United States:
- Mills v. Board of Education (1972) – The Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional to deny access to education to students with disabilities. Set a precedent for special education rights.
- Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Pennsylvania (1971/1972) – Federal court ordered Pennsylvania must provide free public education to children with mental disabilities aged 6-21.
- Buck v. Bell (1927) – Infamously upheld forced sterilization laws for people with disabilities. Never been expressly overturned.
- City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Center (1985) – Supreme Court ruled local zoning practices discriminatory against group home for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Bragdon v. Abbott (1998) – Supreme Court ruled HIV is considered a disability under the ADA, prohibiting discrimination.
- Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) – Landmark Supreme Court case established right of people with disabilities to receive state services in integrated, community settings.
- Toyota Motor v. Williams (2002) – Supreme Court narrowed ADA’s disability definition, requiring impairments that prevent daily activities. Later overturned.
- Tennessee v. Lane (2004) – Supreme Court upheld Title II of ADA requiring state services be accessible to people with disabilities.
So in summary, federal court rulings like these have profoundly shaped disability rights by interpreting laws, setting key precedents, and ruling on landmark cases over the decades.
