This essay examines the overlooked history of the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968, the first federal legislation recognizing architectural exclusion as a civil rights issue. Focusing on Hugh Gallagher and Senator Bob Bartlett’s legislative efforts, it reveals tensions within the disability rights movement, architects’ resistance to regulation, and competing visions of disability and independence. The ABA reshaped public perceptions of disability, highlighting architecture’s central role in civic participation. The essay concludes with a reflection on the complexities of disability in architectural education, arguing that true accessibility requires a deeper understanding of disability as both a social and architectural condition.