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Archived newspaper article that reads: CONGRESS A Crawl-In At the Capitol There had never been such a sight at the entrance to the U.S. Capitol. Dozens of disabled people abandoned their wheelchairs and crawled up the steep stone steps on knees, elbows and backs. The climb was not really necessary. The Capitol is equipped with ramps and elevators for wheelchairs. But the point was to rally support for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which would require public buildings and transportation systems to accommodate the disabled. One major obstacle to passage of the bill is the fear of small-business groups that it might be amended to allow disabled people to bring damage suits if they are discriminated against. To prevent an avalanche of court cases, the Justice Department has urged Congress to specify the circumstances under which the disabled could sue for damages. A compromise is expected. PHOTO (by Terry Ashe): Very dark image of several people climbing the steps. One is holding a sign which reads in part "Americans with Disabilities Act." Behind the climbers is part of the capitol building with columns. Caption reads: Making a point, the disabled surmount the Capitol steps.
Home Government, Home Page, items of interest, VideosWatch: ADAPT Footage from 1990’s Capitol Crawl (Audio Description)

Watch: ADAPT Footage from 1990’s Capitol Crawl (Audio Description)

July 23, 2026| Government, Home Page, items of interest, Videos|

On March 12, 1990, disability rights activists took part in a landmark protest in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): the Capitol Crawl. By leaving their wheelchairs and mobility aids and crawling up the Capitol’s stone steps, activists provided a powerful visual of the challenges people with disabilities face every day and highlighted the need for ramps and other accommodations. The ADA would be signed into law four months later.

The video below, from the ADAPT Online History Museum, shows footage from the Capitol Crawl and includes audio descriptions. 

ADAPT Online History Museum
Watch the Video on ADAPT Website
National ADAPT
CONGRESS A Crawl-In At the Capitol There had never been such a sight at the entrance to the U.S. Capitol. Dozens of disabled people abandoned their wheelchairs and crawled up the steep stone steps on knees, elbows and backs. The climb was not really necessary. The Capitol is equipped with ramps and elevators for wheelchairs. But the point was to rally support for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which would require public buildings and transportation systems to accommodate the disabled. One major obstacle to passage of the bill is the fear of small-business groups that it might be amended to allow disabled people to bring damage suits if they are discriminated against. To prevent an avalanche of court cases, the Justice Department has urged Congress to specify the circumstances under which the disabled could sue for damages. A compromise is expected. PHOTO (by Terry Ashe): Very dark image of several people climbing the steps. One is holding a sign which reads in part "Americans with Disabilities Act." Behind the climbers is part of the capitol building with columns. Caption reads: Making a point, the disabled surmount the Capitol steps.

Last modified: July 23, 2026

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