Mentally Disabled Assisted by Legislation
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Human Rights Series
- Categories: Government and Politics, Social Issues, Reform, and Protest, Psychology, Psychiatry
- Subcategories: Civil Rights, Minority Rights, Minorities, Laws, Acts, Legislation, Human Rights, Disabilities, Handicapped People
- Curriculum: American History 1951-present
- Geographical Location: Washington, D.C.
- Date: October 31, 1963
Article abstract: Congress enacted legislation to extend grants to aid construction of facilities for research and treatment of the mentally ill and retarded.
Summary of Event
Little attention had been given to the problems and needs of the mentally ill until the 1960’s. During that time, there were an estimated 5.4 million people in the United States who were mentally ill in varying degrees. Developmentally disabled individuals for many years were not assured the basic rights afforded nondisabled people. Mentally ill people were relegated to the...
[The entire page is 2285 words long]