How Lois Curtis Fought for Equal Rights for Americans with Disabilities
Ask students: Where did Curtis turn to for help in improving her living conditions? How did art help Curtis find a sense of purpose?
Summary
Ali Rogin brings us the story of Lois Curtis, an artist whose lawsuit 25 years ago over the conditions of her confinement in state institutions ended up at the Supreme Court and established the rights of Americans with disabilities.
View the transcript of the story.
Key terms
Americans with Disabilities Act — a law passed in 1990 that prevented discrimination against people with a range of disabilities and provides for accommodations to help those with disabilities engage in public life
Warm-Up Questions
- Who is Lois Curtis, and why did her family commit her to a hospital?
- What action did Curtis take to move out of the hospital?
- Where did Curtis turn to for help in improving her living conditions?
- Why did Curtis and her attorneys argue that her confinement in the hospital was illegal?
- How did art help Curtis find a sense of purpose?
Focus Questions
What conditions needed to be present to help Curtis flourish as an artist? What obstacles needed to be removed before she could find a way to express herself?
Media literacy: Do you know about the Americans with Disabilities Act and why it was passed? How could you find out? You might start with this fact sheet.
What Students Can Do
Learn more about the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law in 1990. Watch the video below and discuss as a class —
- How can we as individuals help remove obstacles so that people with disabilities can fully engage in public life?
- What do you think are some remaining challenges to make sure people with disabilities can live full lives and flourish as Lois Curtis did?
(Teachers: you can find a lesson on the video above here.)
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
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