ED ROBERTS What do we know about him? BACK In the mid-70's newly elected governor Jerry Brown (center) appointed Ed (left) as Director of the state rehabilitation agency. Jackson Center for Independent Living Making Hope Accessible 1981 Hollywood Drive - Jackson TN Phone 1.731.668.2211

FACTS: Edward Verne Roberts (January 23, 1939- March 14, 1995) was the first student with severe disabilities to attend the University of California, Berkeley. He became one of the founders and one of the greatest leaders of the disability rights movement. Ed Roberts is often called the father of the disability rights movement. His work began in a personal effort to go to college. He had to work hard, including suing the California Department of Vocational Rehabilitation because they thought he was too disabled. It was a battle to get Berkeley to accept him, because, as a dean explained, "We've tried cripples before and it didn't work." ED ROBERTS MADE IT WORK! ED ROBERTS CAMPUS DISABILITY HISTORY WIKIPEDIA BACK TO JCIL