The Bowman

Frank Bowe was born in Danville, Pennsylvania on March 29, 1947. When Frank was three years old, he became critically ill with measles and was given the antibiotic streptomycin, which is probably why he became Deaf. In 1976, Frank received his Ph.D from New York University.

In 1977, Dr. Bowe led a number of protests throughout the United States. These protests focused attention on the plight of the handicapped and forced the implementation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Bowe was the main impetus for the Disability Rights Movement. In 1978, Bowe published his first book, Handicapping America: Barriers to Disabled People. 

Bowe contended that it makes more sense to accommodate disabilities rather than to try to “fix” them, a lofty and elusive goal. He wanted society to be fixed so as to allow people with disabilities to become part of it, to accommodate rather than reject. The disabled community didn’t want to be tucked away, they wanted to be included. It was an expensive solution, but fair and practical in that it enabled disabled individuals to contribute to society and pay taxes.

In the words of Corbett Joan O’Toole, a 504 Sit-In participant, author, and disability rights advocate, “At that time in history, there was simply no access—no right to an education, no public transit. You couldn’t get into a library or city hall, much less a courtroom.” 

During the 504 Sit-In People across the country protested inside and outside the federal offices of Health, Education, and Welfare. Cities with sit-ins included Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, New York, Seattle, Washington, and San Francisco. 

A sit-in is challenging for anyone, but these protesters had special needs and they quickly ran into problems. Food, clothing, and personal hygiene were all complicated. The participants found creative ways to clothe, bathe and feed each other. Restrooms were a problem because back then none were wheelchair accessible. Some people required space for walking aids and wheelchairs. Deaf occupiers needed translators. Paraplegic and quadriplegic protesters needed assistants to lift and turn them when sleeping and sitting.