CIL
- Oct 13

CIL at OAK Airport

Updated: Oct 23

Happy October! In case you missed it, CIL worked with local artists, photographers, and muralists to put together exhibits in the Oakland International Airport to highlight disability figures in the past, present, and future.

We have two photo displays in the Bayview Corridor of Terminal 2 featuring photos by Ken Stein, Banners with Artwork from Artist Charles Blackwell in Southwest's baggage claim, Ed Monroe and Neil Marcus' The 504 Rehabilitation Act Disability Rights Mural, and a "Disability is Strength" mural.

For more information about each of the exhibits, please click on the arrow next to each of the exhibit names below.

"Disability is Strength – Desabilidad es Fuerza" Mural

In 2022, the Center for Independent Living, Inc. (CIL) celebrated 50 years of advocating for and serving people with disabilities. To celebrate this history and renew our commitment to inclusion for disabled persons for the next fifty years, CIL embarked on a local mural project. The murals are meant to reflect the movement for disability rights and independence that began in Berkeley, CA and has grown to over 400 Centers for Independent Living based on the CIL model across the nation and more in 20 countries around the globe. They also honor the visionaries of the past who helped build this movement and present a vision for a future of full inclusion, rights and justice for people with disabilities. A team of talented, local, intersectional disabled visual artists were selected to create a series of murals in Berkeley and Oakland with two experienced and internationally renowned muralists. This mural is the first of three to go up this year and focuses on the history of the independent living movement and the role of people with disabilities in securing rights and accommodations and to secure resources to fund independent living centers around the world.

"Disability is Strength" mural on display at the Oakland Airport.

Meet Our Artists

Charles Blackwell

As a young man, Charles Blackwell’s visual art studies at Sacramento City College were cut short after he fell head-first down a steep slope, damaging his eyesight. An artist since a young age, Charles is now legally blind, only able to use some peripheral vision. He dropped out of school, struggling to reconcile his artistic dreams with his unexpected disability. “I thought, ‘Man, what did I do to deserve this? Why is this happening to me?’” Charles redirected his studies toward sociology and social work, but after graduate school struggled to find employment. “There’s more than just being able to go through daily life after losing your eyesight,” he says. “It comes down to an emotional side. There’s a lot of rejection. Boy, I got hit hard.” When he went blind, Charles’ doctor told him, “take your defect and make it an asset.” Charles has grown to embody this phrase, continuing his lifelong passion of making art by using an entirely new style, freedom, and way of working to compensate for his limited vision. He creates his artwork using primarily ink and canvas, leaning in closely to see through his peripherals, and using rich, vibrant colors. Charles is now living in Oakland, California. He has won numerous service awards for his volunteer work and advocacy for the arts, and has authored three books: Redemption Beyond Blindness; Fiery Responses to Love’s Calling; and Is, the Color of Mississippi Mud. Charles joined ArtLifting in August, 2016, after being referred through the community arts studio in San Francisco's Tenderloin District. Now, his works are accessible across the United States, adorning walls, tote bags, notebooks, and phone cases. He hopes that by sharing his artwork he can increase his income, obtain stable housing, and continue to inspire as many people as possible. Visit his website: artlifting.com

Vanessa Castro

I am Vanessa Castro, an artist, illustrator, and author with a physical disability, Cerebral Palsy with a speech impediment. So I use a power wheelchair and communication device. I grew up in San Mateo, California. I graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in English and minor in Education. In 2006, I started my own art business, Ness Ness Va’s Art. I've always loved drawing and painting with lots of bright colors and great enthusiasm!!! The mediums I use are markers, pastels, and acrylic paint. I’ve written, illustrated, and self-published 4 children's books, "Gloria, The Gecko Attendant," "Rollerblading on Autism," “Finding The Spirit,” and my newest, “Max and Tansy’s Secret Hideaway.” All of my children's books are designed to educate kids about different disabilities. I am very independent and determined. Once I put my mind to do something, I always accomplish it, in spite however long it takes me. It usually takes me 3-5 weeks to finish a painting, but I always get it done. I paint characters like Wonder Woman and other super heroes in wheelchairs and/or on crutches to teach children that even though a person may have a disability or something unique about them, everyone has their own super powers. Besides my children’s books and original paintings, I make and sell prints, posters, cards, calendars, tote bags, t-shirts, and coffee mugs. I do lots of art festivals in the East Bay, mainly Alameda, Oakland, and Berkeley, where I sell my products. Hope to see you at one of the art fairs!!!! I also do customed orders, so if you would like to have an unique piece from me, feel free to email me nessnessva@gmail.com. Visit her website: nessnessva.com

Tiffany Hong

In my senior year of high school, I took an art class as an elective. During my time at Chabot College, art (specific Emphasis on Painting) was my college major, taking several art courses. I am currently taking some Vocational Workshop courses, learning about resume and cover letter building, applications, interview prep, etc. I preferred including any multicultural or pop culture artworks with symbolic meanings. It could reflect our social issues, history, and current real-world events. Sometimes, I also think about incorporating paintings inspired by classic movies (c. the 1920s-1970s) to reflect art and culture's history further.

Pablo “Raiz” Arroyo

Raíz, also known as Pablo Moisés Ruiz Arroyo is a traveling street artist inspired by surrealism. Having journeyed the world leaving murals as he goes along has been his career. Coming from La Paz, Bolivia, a country surrounded by the Andes mountain of many indigenous cultures, has been a huge inspiration to his art and life. After being involved in the art world of Bolivia, he dedicated a year to travel north to California from Bolivia by land. He lived off painted murals, street performance, and chalk art as he traveled to California. “Not having money was the most inspiring thing to my art at the time...” he proudly tells people referring to the culture of busking and nomad life he lived as he traveled the Americas. He then traveled to Australia and left murals as he traveled the east and west coast living solely from his art. Soon after he traveled through South East Asia leaving murals in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. After briefly returning to the USA for a mural conference he found himself in New Zealand painting more murals. After leaving to travel to Central America and Europe, to continue painting the world, he decided to return to New Zealand. After finishing a youth mentorship art program as director under an artist residency in Tauranga New Zealand, he has since then returned to San Francisco California. During his time in San Francisco he has been involved in various communal outreach murals partnered with local communities such as Precita Eyes Murals and the San Francisco Arts Committee. He has been involved in various public art projects in hopes of beautifying communities for the benefit of its people. Visit his website: pablosomething.com

Pancho Pescador Pancho Pescador was born in Santiago de Chile in 1972. Pancho is a self-taught visual artist, muralist, music lover and a visual activist. He combines these disciplines to stir things up and to activate critical and imaginative thinking. Life brought him to Oakland, CA where he lives, creates and shows his visual guerrillas. Pancho Pescador belongs to a collective of muralists and street art called Community Rejuvenation Project (CRP) based in Oakland. Watch the PBS video about him: youtube.com

Charles Blackwell Banner

A collection of Blackwell's work is displayed on a banner in the Southwest Terminal at OAK. The first two photos show the layout of the banner, and the following photos are close-ups of each of his pieces.

1. A Dream about a Horse is a Dream about Love: A friend told me that when you dream about a horse you are dreaming about someone you love. If you dream about riding a horse it means that you’ve won the person over. I painted this after having a dream about a horse.

2. Cityscapes Alienation: I did this during the pandemic and how isolated it felt.

3. Number 5: Five means grace and is a Jazz quintet. This piece is influenced by Jasper Johns and his number series. I like the way he made them look like a printing press.

4. The Dancer: Represents the movement dimension of rhythm and the colors represent the freedom and joy of movement.

5. African Tribal Mask: Capturing the beauty of the African roots of Black people - you can see it in the cheek bones, full lips and angles of the mask. It represents the beauty of the African diaspora.

6. Improvisation: I was given a piece of canvas with images of fruits and vegetables and turned it into a Jazz improvisation.

7. Political Mathematics: Sometimes politics feel arbitrary and frivolous.

8. Madison Square Garden - Friday Night Boxing: I used to watch this on TV and remember the announcer's voice. When I visited New York City I realized that there’s hundreds of voices that sound just like that announcer.

9. Cityscapes - Attempting to Flee Depression: Sometimes I feel like the city is closing in on me, surrounded by hundreds of people yet feeling alone.

10. The Disabled Abled in the Arts: People discovering wonder in themselves.

11. Drum Drums Drums Away: An interplay of movement and color that represent the stick hitting the symbol. Even though you don’t hear the sound, you see and feel it.

12. Down Stairs in the Off-Blue with Rahsaan Roland Kirk: My blind brother who influenced me as an artist. I saw him perform once when I was in college and before I lost my eyesight. He was a completely blind Jazz musician who played three saxophones at the same time.

13. One Drum Drum Away: Abstract improvisation was the technique that I used on paper and is reflected in the image itself.

14. Disabled Demanding Rights: Reflects the history of the Rolling Quads who enlisted allies to use sledgehammers to create the first curb cuts, leading to a worldwide movement to force governments to mandate them on city streets.

15. Cityscapes - In Flight: In flight from the tension and the stress.

16. The Trane is Still Moving: This piece captures the music of Coltrane and the way that his music comes at you.

About the Artist

As a young man, Charles Blackwell’s visual art studies at Sacramento City College were cut short after he fell head-first down a steep slope, damaging his eyesight. An artist since a young age, Charles is now legally blind, only able to use some peripheral vision. He dropped out of school, struggling to reconcile his artistic dreams with his unexpected disability. “I thought, ‘Man, what did I do to deserve this? Why is this happening to me?’” Charles redirected his studies toward sociology and social work, but after graduate school struggled to find employment. “There’s more than just being able to go through daily life after losing your eyesight,” he says. “It comes down to an emotional side. There’s a lot of rejection. Boy, I got hit hard.” When he went blind, Charles’ doctor told him, “take your defect and make it an asset.” Charles has grown to embody this phrase, continuing his lifelong passion of making art by using an entirely new style, freedom, and way of working to compensate for his limited vision. He creates his artwork using primarily ink and canvas, leaning in closely to see through his peripherals, and using rich, vibrant colors. Charles is now living in Oakland, California. He has won numerous service awards for his volunteer work and advocacy for the arts, and has authored three books: Redemption Beyond Blindness; Fiery Responses to Love’s Calling; and Is, the Color of Mississippi Mud. Charles joined ArtLifting in August, 2016, after being referred through the community arts studio in San Francisco's Tenderloin District. Now, his works are accessible across the United States, adorning walls, tote bags, notebooks, and phone cases. He hopes that by sharing his artwork he can increase his income, obtain stable housing, and continue to inspire as many people as possible.

Ed Monroe and Neil Marcus' "The 504 Rehabilitation Act Disability Rights" Mural

Ed Monroe's 504 Rehabilitation Act Disability Rights Mural on display at the Oakland Airport baggage claim.

The 504 Rehabilitation Act Disability Rights Mural

This mural was conceived by Berkeley artist Ed Monroe and disabled artist Neil Marcus. As they were composing the mural, Neil got in contact with documentary photographer HolLynn D'Lil. Her book about the 1977 504 Demonstration for Disability Rights Becoming Real in 24 Days informed the mural.

The central panel is a scene of the 1977 Section 504 demonstrations for Disability Rights at the offices of the Health, Education, and Welfare in the Federal Building in San Francisco. Lead figures in the mural include:

Interpreter Lynette Taylor in the center of the picture surrounded by people in wheelchairs.
To the right of Lynette in a white headpiece is Hale Zukas, an American disability rights activist, founding member of the Rolling Quads at UCB (a group of activists in wheelchairs that fought for accommodations for UCB students and for the first curb cuts), BART commissioner and advocate, and a founder of the Berkeley CIL.
To the left in the foreground is Michael Williams, a wheelchair user and disability rights activist involved in the 504 sit-in. The image is taken from a HolLynn D'Lil photo.
To the left of Lynette Taylor is Joan Johnston. Beside her is Franco.
Behind and to the left is the well-dressed Brad Lomax, a disability rights activist and member of the Black Panther Party, with a friend.
Mary Jane Owen is the fair-haired woman with sunglasses, and a disability activist who was part of the Orientation Center for the Blind and then served as a Board member for Berkeley's CIL.
To the right of her is Peter Trier, a member of the UCB Disabled Student Union who worked with Ed Roberts and Hale Zukas on securing residential housing with accommodations and was Board President of Easy Does It.
To the right in the background are images of people who were at a vigil at President Jimmy Carter's church, including documentary photographer HolLynn D'Lil and Bruce Curtis, a disability rights activist who uses a wheelchair and worked for the World Institute on Disability for twenty-two years.
There are several other people in the scene including Channel 7 newsman Evan White and Berkeley attorney Peter Cappleman.
To the left of this panel is disability rights activist and advocate Ed Roberts with some of the "Rolling Quads." Beside Ed is his wife Kathy Roberts, and behind Ed is his mother Zona Roberts and brother Marko.
To the right is Don Galloway, who was blinded by an accident as a teenager but refused to let his disability interfere with his education or his activism. He was active in his local junior NAACP chapter and was a junior member of the National Federation for the Blind, and is seen here with his black German Shepherd.
Beside him is Phil Draper, founder of the Center for Independent Living and a lifelong advocate for the rights of the disabled.
On the left is Herb Willsmore, who worked with Ed Roberts as a member of UCB’s Disabled Students’ Program and helped found the CIL.
The tall woman in the yellow vest is Joan Leon, a disability rights activist and ally, and current member of the CIL Board of Directors. The paintings on her wall are by disabled artists.
To the left, the panel shows UC Berkeley campus. Artist Patrick Connally works on his painting of Ed Roberts and himself.
Kathy Pugh, an advisor for the founding of the National Association of Law Students with Disabilities, and Gary Gray, disability rights activist involved in the 504 sit-in, are accompanied by a female attendant.
Marching past the Life Sciences Building is a group of protesters carrying signs saying, "Free Speech", "Civil Rights", and "Stop the War." In the field is a group of student archers. Among them is Mary Ann from the original CIL mural.
To the right of the scene of the sit-in at the Federal Building, the picture moves to a large room where renowned civil and disability rights champion, Judy Heumann addresses an array of politicians, administrators, and commissioners. Behind Judy are a number of people including Kitty Crowe, Phil Chavez, Joan Leon, and Tom Hayden.
Along the wall under the arches are statues of American statesmen including President Franklin Roosevelt leaning on his cane. In the foreground, the slightly balding man with a mustache is US Department of Health Spokesperson Gene Eidenberg, reprimanded by Heumann for being dismissive during the 504 protest. To the left of Gene Eidenberg is Senator Milton Marks with a "Sign 504" button on his lapel. Behind him is Governor Jerry Brown.
On the table are some sheets of paper. The top sheet is the House of Representatives Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The sheet under this is the Declaration of Independence.
Behind the politicians is a wall with windows opening onto a street scene. In the middle is a group of marchers coming up the street. Among the marchers is Michael Winter, long-time disability advocate and early leader in the Independent Living Movement.
In the foreground sit disability activists Michael Williams and Michael Patchovis with other protesters beside a Department of Public Works van.
Beside the van is a city worker in a hard-hat with a clipboard and another worker in a hard-hat with a jackhammer taking out the curb to make it into a ramp.
Outside Solomon's Delicatessen is a group of pedestrians and disabled people including 504 protest leader and wheelchair user Cece Weeks.
Andy Clardy, firmly clasping the handles of his crutches, stands outside Kelly's Bar. The Public Defender for the State of Kentucky, David Murrell walks down the street with his guide dog, Lily.

Compositionally, the mural depicts disabled people in the interior scenes organizing sit-ins and confrontations for equality, emerging into the outside world on either side, becoming full participants and achieving recognition in contemporary society.

Hopefully the mural is a respectful representation of the people depicted and their actions. Apologies to the many who participated that are not included.

About the Artists

Ed Monroe

Ed Monroe's contributions to the local Berkeley art scene are known through out the community. His flair comes through in his paintings, pen and ink drawings, and wood carvings. Ed's favorite inspirations come from local East Bay scenes and the stories dreams are made of... with a love of science fiction, visionary surrealism, mythology, and history. Three of Monroe's original paintings of local scenes are in the Berkeley City Club Collection. Well known murals of his include:

the Oceanographic mural on Clairmont Avenue under the freeway,
the Egyptian Murals in Grand Lake Theatre / co-designed and painted,
and the prehistoric dinosaur backdrops for the Lawrence Hall of Science, and for which he apprenticed Cal Students who earned credit for studying with him.

Ed participated in the construction of the Berkeley Potters Wall in Derby Park. In 1975, he organized the Street Artists Committee. He later conceived the first Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair in Berkeley, which he ran for the next 8 years.

Neil Marcus

Neil Marcus (1954-2021) was a writer, poet, artist, dancer, philosopher, actor, teacher and trailblazer in the disability movement. Over many years, he collaborated with Ed Monroe on the murals you see here. Neil helped secure funding for the project and provided Ed with the names and photo references of the people featured in the murals. Neil Marcus began his work with the disability community when he moved to Berkeley in the 1980s. For eight years, Neil starred in his autobiographical play "Storm Reading" produced by Access Theater. It premiered in 1988 and featured vignettes based on his observations of the world and interactions with people. The groundbreaking show made visible what most people had been taught to ignore--how a person with a disability navigates everyday life. Neil’s poetry has been widely quoted. His poem, "Disability Country" is featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's online exhibit, "EveryBody: An Artifact History of Disability in America." Much of his life was dedicated to reclaiming personhood in a society that often deprives people with disabilities of their autonomy and humanity. He authored this oft quoted line, “Disability is not a brave struggle or courage in the face of adversity. Disability is an art. It’s an ingenious way to live.” Search for Neil Marcus on youtube.com.

"Equal Dignity without Discrimination" Photo Exhibit by Ken Stein

Photography by Ken Stein

The 1970’s and 1980’s were a time when people with disabilities tasted and enjoyed the first fruits of Independent Living; of the 1977 implementation of both Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); of deinstitutionalization; of sexuality and parenting; and of integration in the community, in education, and in civic and public life.

It was also a time when disability advocates and activists all over the country took to their legislatures, to the courts, and to the streets, demanding equal access and non-discrimination in areas not covered by 504 – in stores, restaurants, hotels, access to housing, public transit, and private employment. Culminating in 1990 with the successful passage of the ADA, when for the first time in history, people with disabilities were granted their civil rights in virtually all areas of public life.

The photos in this exhibit, by photographer Ken Stein, depict images of a world in revolutionary transition; a world embracing equal dignity without discrimination.

Berkeley school kids examining mid-century orthotics, K.I.D.S. Project, ca 1987. The K.I.D.S. Project taught disability awareness to primary aged school children.

Kids Playing Carems – City of Berkeley After-School Recreation Program, CA 1983.

Single Mother Sharon Hamner and daughter Cindy, 1979. Sharon was struck by a car and killed in August 1979, while having to cross a street to a mid-block driveway. There were no curb cuts at the intersection where she was crossing. Police issued no citations, citing the fact that her wheelchair had no lighting devices or reflective tape. See: A Gift of History – The High Cost of No Curb Ramps: Remembering Sharon Hamner

City of Berkeley installing an upgraded curb ramp on Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley CA 1985.

Early CIL Employee Jerry Wolf at the UC Art Museum, 1980.

A deaf woman and blind woman in conversation. Lois Smiley and Kathy Martinez, K.I.D.S. Project (Keys to Introducing Disabilities in the Schools), 1987.

Michael B. Williams (aka "Quasimodo" in Grassroots Newspaper), an early CIL employee and chronicler of the Berkeley Independent Living Movement. Pictured with his wife Carole Krezman, and son Malcom, 1985.

City of Berkeley Recreation Department Sumer Day Camp Program, 1983.

Equal Dignity Without Discrimination exhibit on display at the Oakland Airport.

The Photographer

For the past half century Ken Stein has actively worked to further the cause of Independent Living, Disability Access, and Disability Rights. From 1971-73 he was an early staff member of Bonita House, Berkeley's first Halfway House for persons diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities; and before that was a volunteer at Napa State Mental Hospital. He began working at Berkeley’s Center for Independent Living in 1974, and was the Program Administrator at the City of S.F. Mayor's Office on Disability from 2002 to his retirement in 2013. For the ten years prior, he was the Manager of the National U.S. Department of Justice ADA Information Hotline at DREDF (The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund). Over the past six decades, Ken’s speaking, writing, photography, and collection of artifacts have greatly informed and given voice to the history of the Bay Area Disability Rights Movement. Ken’s disability rights historical photos have appeared in college textbooks and a wide variety of local, regional and national publications, from Ms. Magazine to the Christian Science Monitor. In 2007, his photos were the centerpiece of a six month photo exhibit: “Berkeley’s ‘Other’ Revolution: Celebrating 35 Years of Independent Living, Disability Access, and Disability Rights” in the windows of Rasputin Music on Telegraph Avenue, commemorating CIL's 35th Anniversary, the 30th Anniversary of the 504 Demonstration, and honoring the Bay Area’s place as the birthplace and longtime spiritual center of the Independent Living Movement. In June 2008 he was the featured photographer and keynote speaker at "History, Progress, Transformation: Vision of the Future," a disability rights history photography exhibit at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. One of his disability rights demonstration photos – of Adam Bertaina – is in the collection of the National Civil Rights Museum at the site of the Lorraine Motel. Prior to his retirement 10 years ago years ago, in his 43 year work-life in a number of Bay Area disability access and disability rights organizations, he provided information, referral and technical assistance to over 69,000 individuals, organizations, and public and private entities about their rights and obligations under state and federal disability civil rights laws. (Each of the calls had to be logged!). While at DREDF, he developed and was Project Director of the Disability Civil Rights History Project, a landmark model project that taught disability rights history to primary and middle school students in the Berkeley public schools. And for ten years with the City of SF, he assisted in municipal public policy development. Ken’s ‘504’ picket sign was previously on display in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History’s in-person and virtual exhibit, ‘The Disability Rights Movement’ adjacent to the Greensboro Mississippi Lunch Counter; and is currently on display – for the next 15 years – at the Smithsonian American Museum of History “Democracy Now: A Giant Leap of Faith” exhibition. In 1996-97, he organized and was the Steering Committee Chair of The 504 Sit-In 20th Anniversary Celebration and Commemoration. In conjunction with that Anniversary event held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Committee – which served a free dinner to over 650 people! – produced a commemorative book, an 18 minute Video documentary (“The Power of 504”) and the 58 minute radio documentary, “We Shall Not Be Moved”. In 2000, his oral history from the "Disabled Persons Independent Living Movement Project" was published by UC Berkeley’s Regional Oral History Office in the volume, “Builders and Sustainers of the Independent Living Movement in Berkeley.” In recent years, Ken has been a consultant and contributor to film and video projects, and has been a panelist on a number of disability rights history and disability awareness panels.

More Resources About the Disability Rights Movement:

Remembering Dale Dahl, A Decisive Moment, And The Gift Of History A Gift Of History: Remembering Adam Bertaina A Gift of History – The High Cost of No Curb Ramps: Remembering Sharon Hamner History of the Bay Area Disability Rights Movement

"Building An Accessible World" Photo Exhibit by Ken Stein

Photography by Ken Stein

Arising from the independent living movement’s birth on the University of California Berkeley campus in the 1960s, in the early 1970s the Center for Independent living emerged as a powerful social catalyst that would ultimately change the lives of millions of people not only in this country, but all around the world.

In those early days, John Hessler, Ed Roberts, Hale Zukas, Jan McEwen Brown and others founded the Center for Independent Living, Inc.

There were a few basic principles that CIL was founded upon, namely that:

Those who know best the needs of people with disabilities and how to meet those needs, are people with disabilities themselves
The needs of people with disabilities can be met most effectively by comprehensive programs that provide a variety of services under one roof to enable people to live independently in the community
People with disabilities should be as integrated as possible, as fully as possible, into the community at large

As one of the great disability rights pioneers Judy Heumann once said, "Independent Living isn't doing everything by yourself – it's being in control of how things are done." For the first time ever, and for the first time anywhere, people with severe disabilities were in charge of their own lives. It wasn’t just a new idea, it was a revolutionary idea.

Today, over 50 years after the creation of CIL in Berkeley, there are over 400 centers of independent living across the United States and in 20 countries around the globe. The Independent Living/Disability Rights movement has literally removed physical and communication barriers and has changed attitudes about disability, not only in Berkeley, but around the world.

The photos in this exhibit, by photographer and lifelong disability rights activist Ken Stein, depict scenes from the Disability Rights Movement in the 70s and 80s that led up to the eventual passage of the ADA (the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990).

CIL employees Doug Brown and Gene Turitz holding the CIL Banner at Disabled Peoples' Civil Rights Day March and Rally, San Francisco, October 20, 1979. The Disabled Peoples' Civil Rights Day March and Rally was organized by CIL's Disability Law Resource Center. It was held in response to continued non-implementation of Section 504, and a number of unfavorable court decisions including the Davis decision by the Supreme Court.

CIL Peer Counselor Joyce Jackson at Disabled Peoples' Civil Rights Day March and Rally, San Francisco, October 20, 1979. Joyce is holding one side of banner reading "Full Rights for Disabled People – Implement 504"

"Disabled Kids Have Rights Too" Pam Steneberg and daughter Susan Steneberg (left of banner) at Disabled Peoples' Civil Rights Day March and Rally, San Francisco, October 20, 1979.

Dale Dahl at the 1980 Demonstration opposing the American Public Transit Association's opposition to putting wheelchair lifts on public buses, San Francisco, 1980. See: Remembering Dale Dahl, A Decisive Moment, And The Gift Of History

Disabled Peoples' Civil Rights Day March and Rally, San Francisco, October 20, 1979. At 4 years old, Adam Bertaina was the youngest demonstrator at the 28 day 1977 504 Sit In for Disability Rights in San Francisco. See: A Gift Of History: Remembering Adam Bertaina

"Revolt Against the Jolt" – Morgan Firestar and Jeff Jordan at an anti-electroshock demonstration, Herrick Hospital Berkeley, 1982. In 1982, NAPA (the Network Against Psychiatric Assault) spearheaded a successful drive to be electroconvulsive therapy in Berkeley. The ballot measure passed by Berkeley voters in 1982 but was later overturned by the courts.

Building An Accessible World exhibit on display at the Oakland Airport.

The Photographer

Center for Independent Living, Inc.

CIL at OAK Airport