disability-history-timeline-2013

Legislation and policy1300sA law is introduced allowing theEnglish monarch to seize the propertyof people with mental illness or disability(De Praerogativa Regis).1535The Poor Law Act 1535 requires townand parish councils to look after ‘everyaged, poor and impotent person’ whowas born or lived in the locality for threeyears. Services are funded by donationsencouraged by the Church.1572The Poor Law Act 1572 introduces acompulsory poor rate; and makes it apunishable offence to refuse to work forlawful wages, or do work provided bythe overseer.1593An Act for the Necessary Relief of Soldiersand Mariners states that: ‘Every parish shallbe charged with a sum weekly towardsthe relief of sick, hurt, maimed soldiersand mariners.’ Amending Acts raising theamounts to be collected are passed in 1597and 1601.1597The Poor Law Act 1597 provides the firstcomplete code of poor relief including for‘the lame, impotent, old, blind and suchother being poor and not able to work.’1601The Poor Law makes economic provisionfor people dependent on charity, whichincludes disabled people.10