Born in San Francisco
A Disability Rights Movement Tour
The story of the historic 504 Sit-In
Hosted by the San Francisco Disability Cultural Center.
Presented by Access House™
San Francisco holds a pivotal place in the history of disability rights. It is where disabled activists led a grassroots movement that reshaped civil rights in the United States and around the world.
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As seen on San Francisco Travel’s February events calendar. This San Francisco Disability History Tour experience invites you to discover a legacy of disability leadership, resistance, and community—born right here in San Francisco.​​​
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At the heart of this story is the historic 504 Sit-In of 1977, the longest non-violent occupation of a federal building in U.S. history. The tour includes a stop at the Federal Building at United Nations Plaza—listed on the National Register of Historic Places and featured in the upcoming documentary film Being Heumann. For 26 days, disabled activists occupied the U.S. Federal Building to demand enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, laying critical groundwork for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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Tour Details
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM—12:00 PM
Please plan to arrive by 10:30 AM for check-in, light refreshments, and a short welcome presentation.
We will depart for the tour at
11:00 AM.
Location and Meeting Point:
San Francisco Disability Cultural Center
165 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102
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What You’ll Learn:
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The origins of the modern disability rights movement
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The story of the historic
504 Sit-In
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The activists, coalitions, and community that made change happen
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How these events shaped the ADA and modern disability justice
About the Tour
We will meet at the Disability Cultural Center (DCC), where you’ll be welcomed with light refreshments and a brief presentation that provide historical context before the tour begins.
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From the DCC, we will walk to the nearby U.S. Federal Building—the site of the 504 Sit-In—where you’ll learn how disabled leadership, cross-movement solidarity, and grassroots organizing transformed the civil rights landscape in the United States and beyond.
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This guided experience is designed for visitors and locals alike, including disabled community members, advocates, educators, designers, policymakers, and anyone interested in justice, community, and living history.
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How to Register
Registration is free—so join us and reserve your spot today! Space is limited, and advance registration is required.
Sign up at https://dcc.page/504-tour or scan the QR code below.​​
This tour will include ASL interpretation, and the introductory video and presentation at the Disability Cultural Center will feature captions and open audio descriptions. Please note that captions will not be available during the walking/rolling portion of the tour.
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Following the tour, participants are welcome to return to the Disability Cultural Center to relax and connect, as space allows.
For accessibility questions or on-site accommodation requests, please contact:
access@disabilityculturalcenter.org
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