Edward Moore Kennedy (1932-2009)

Edward “Teddy” Kennedy, the youngest of the family, was the President of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., Foundation from its inception, and after his A PROJECT OF PEOPLE INC. election in 1962 as Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, sponsored and oversaw numerous articles of legislation benefiting the disabled, including the Developmentally Disabled Services and Facilities Act of 1970 and the landmark Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1990. The latter gave assurances of equal access to employment, education, public transportation and buildings, and has served as a groundbreaking guarantee of rights for people with disabilities. As minority leader of the Senate committee concerned with health care legislation, his work increased coverage and benefits for Americans with disabilities.

Under his watch, the rights of people with disabilities were protected and strengthened; legislation assured travel accommodations, Medicaid and Social Security coverage, housing rights and access to “assistive technology.” The civil rights People Inc. is the leading not-for-profit health and human services of persons with intellectual and mental disabilities were strengthened, and employers were required to agency in Western New York providing services to more than 10,000 make reasonable accommodations for workers with individuals with special needs, their families and seniors. disabilities.

Thanks in part to Senator Kennedy’s efforts, 6.5 million children with disabilities are currently in special education classes nationwide. He also helped to craft government definitions for terms like “developmental disability” and change terminology from “handicapped” to “disability.”

Much of the American government’s modern social policy can be attributed to his work and to the 2,500 pieces of legislation he authored, including that directed to serve the community with disabilities. A PROJECT OF PEOPLE INC.

The Museum of disABILITY History is dedicated to the collection, preservation and display of artifacts pertaining to the history of people with disabilities. Located in Buffalo, New York, and on the World Wide Web, the Museum offers educational exhibits and activities that expand community awareness. The Museum of disABILITY History is open to the public. To schedule a tour, please call us at 716.629.3626. The Kennedy To schedule the Museum of disABILITY History’s traveling exhibit, The Kennedy Connection, call 716.629.3626. Connection: Museum of disABILITY History 3826 Main Street making a difference in Buffalo NY 14226 716.629.3626 disABILITY History www.museumofdisability.org Eunice Kennedy Shriver Finding the Family Focus The Enduring Legacy

(1921-2009) The contributions of the Kennedy family to disability The late 20th century in America saw a reversal in the history currently span three generations. Joseph P. treatment of individuals with intellectual and physical Eunice Kennedy Shriver (1921-2009) became executive Kennedy Sr. began a charitable foundation in 1945, which disabilities, from the medieval to the enlightened. Medical director of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation was soon renamed Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, treatments based on moral and superstitious beliefs have in 1957. The Foundation’s objectives included the a memorial to the fallen first born son. The funding for been replaced with scientific research; institutionalization prevention of “mental retardation,” and to improve the foundation was derived from an office complex in of people with disabilities has been replaced with society’s approach to dealing with its citizens with Chicago owned by Joe Sr. and aimed to provide supports community-based care. intellectual disabilities. to individuals with a variety of needs, but eventually found its focus in benefitting those with intellectual Those with disabilities are active and vocal strands in A number of advances have been made through the disabilities, the “Mentally Retarded.” The Kennedy the social fabric. “Disability” is no longer a stigma or a Foundation, including the Community of Caring, a Foundation would go on to establish schools, hospitals negative term, rather, it is a group of people in society; K-12 character-education and research laboratories to benefit individuals with students, workers, and friends that have talents, ideas, school program begun in intellectual disabilities. and goals to offer to the community. 1982 that teaches respect and responsibility with a Joe Sr. and Rose Kennedy’s eldest daughter, “Rosemary,” can be viewed as the Joseph and Rose Kennedy focus on inclusiveness. unifying force in the families commitment to disability issues. Rosemary exhibited and their children, one of some cognitive difficulties as a child, whom had an intellectual disability, The Special Olympics, blossoming from “Camp Shriver” but had always been included in the took up the effort to help and to serve, and as the begun in 1963 as a summer day camp at Eunice’s house in bustling Kennedy family activities. In her family’s social and political power increased, so did Maryland. In 1968 the First International Special Olympics early twenties, Rosemary underwent an their commitment to the cause of remembering those Summer Games were held, with over 1,000 athletes unsuccessful neurosurgery to address her who, a generation earlier, would have been exiled from 26 states and Canada at Chicago’s Soldier Field for increasingly challenging behavior. She was from society. While the responsibility has not been the athletic and aquatic competition. Based on the Olympic institutionalized in 1949, at St. Coletta’s Kennedy family’s alone, it was they that led the push model and spirit, 1.3 million children and adults from 150 School in Jefferson, Wisconsin where she on various fronts. Their involvement in government, countries participate today. would live out the remainder of her life. moral suasion, medical research facilities, and Rosemary would become the touchstone, high-profile demonstrations of Eunice’s involvement as consultant and member of the family’s introduction to, and reason for, the promise and capabilities of several presidential committees on disabilities served its long association with the cause. Her individuals with disabilities has to enlighten legislators on the need for increased brothers and sisters would pursue disability led to a national reassessment recognition of the needs of America’s population of causes in both the public and private sectors, and in conjunction with of how America values and people with disabilities. the growing “Parent’s Movement,” (which would spawn organizations such as services a significant part of its the National Association for Retarded Children and the United Cerebral Palsy population. It was Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s close relationship with Associations), helped to bring a national focus on disability issues. her sister Rosemary that inspired her long association The nation now values with improving rights and opportunities for people John, Eunice, Robert, Jean and Edward Kennedy would each advance initiatives to individuals with disabilities with disabilities. It is rare that a visionary has the means improve the lives and public perception of individuals with disabilities. The work of as citizens, with and the organizing skills to so audaciously overturn the Edward as Senator, and Eunice, as the guiding force of the Foundation, places them rights, responsibilities world’s perceptions. “first among equals” and highlight the accomplishments of this iconic American and opportunities. family and its legacy in disABILITY History. Accommodations are being No longer would an individual’s disability be considered a source of shame and provided; so are expectations. embarrassment. Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s lifelong actions on behalf of an often mistreated, misdiagnosed and It has been said that the disability movement is one that anyone can join, at any misunderstood segment of time. People without a disability can become accident or illness victims; those humanity has similarities to the injured in war become individuals with disabilities. Even the act of getting older in abolitionist movement, and America brings on challenges of mobility and other impairments. beyond bringing individuals out of the shadows and into schools, The national mindset has workplaces and mainstream life, been reordered to include, she has inspired other visionaries rather than exclude, its to discover their power on many populations. History behalf of neglected members of will note that much of the society. awareness and support of this mission, governmental and otherwise, is a crucial part of the Kennedy family’s legacy.