The development of policies to implement disability rights laws docu-
ments the ever-changing nature of implementation strategies and the pro-
cesses by which parties affected by the policies have sought to influence their
content and scope. After presenting a theoretical framework for the study of
implementation, the book considers the development of administrative
regulations for section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the legal
linchpin of disability rights until passage of the ADA. The saga of section 504
demonstrates both the problems of translating vague legislative mandates
into concrete regulations to guide implementation and the difficult value
choices articulated through these regulations.

The book subsequently examines the development and refinement of
disability rights in four specific areas: removal of architectural barriers,
public transportation, public education, and employment practices. Imple-
mentation experiences are sufficiently common across these areas to allow
for meaningful comparisons; they are also sufficiently unique to provide
useful contrasts and insights into policy execution. The closing chapter
endeavors to tie the book together by examining the politics of setting
policies to implement disability rights protections and the competing con-
ceptions and values that underlie these policies.

I wish to acknowledge those individuals who gave substantial support to
my research for this book. I am indebted to several federal officials who
provided insights, materials, and background information of unquestionable
value. These include Robert Ashby ( Department of Transportation), Clayton
Boyd ( Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), David Brigham ( De-
partment of Labor), and Dennis Cannon ( Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board). I also wish to thank Elizabeth Matthews of the
Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services for her support to the project.
Arlene Myerson and Pat Wright of the Disability Rights and Education
Defense Fund both contributed substantially to this research project by
sharing observations, experiences, and useful research materials.

To all of these people I express my appreciation and thanks. Any error or
omissions are, of course, my own responsibility. I hope that these individuals
judge that the final product merited their generous help and assistance.

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