"Other important federal laws existed before the ADA was enacted... However, while well intended, these earlier civil rights laws often were not strongly enforced." 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - August 2005

Prior Actions

Several organizations and legislation focused on charity, vocational training, and federal benefits to assist the disabled. Even so, the disabled community continued to feel like second-class citizens. Inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, they began their quest for equality.