6.7: Presentation session: Neuroanatomy, neuroregeneration, and modelings: “Spinal cord injuries (SCI) and Tennessee's contributions to the Americans for Disabilities Act”

The Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA) arose from a need for access for disabled people for public and private facilities. The driving force behind providing access for handicapped individuals was initiated through the first White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals in 1975–6 throughout the United States. One of the most successful conferences was held in Nashville, TN in September 1976, where over 1200 handicapped individuals attended a three day conference highlighting the needs of all types of disabled people. The author was instrumental in bringing a number of these concerns to the attention of President Carter and the Department of Health and Human Services. In particular, Tennessee was exemplary in creating national building and access codes for spinal cord injured people that eventually brought these changes in access for all handicapped individuals in the US through the ADA. The author provides some unique experiences in how to create change in a climate of significant resistance within the Federal government.