This paper analyses the interaction between the community of persons with disabilities and the US Congress from 1970 to 2008. How did this interaction evolve during this period? Which kind of strategies did the disability community engage in? Which factors influenced members of Congress to respond to this social movement? A first of indication of this evolution is the “professionalization” of advocacy and lobbying strategies used by the community of persons with disabilities: national organisations established their headquarters in Washington, so that they had used both direct and indirect lobbying strategies (meeting, letters, call to action, legislative seminar, etc.) to push Congress to pass legislation on disability rights. Congress had to answer to it. Some senators and representatives used their experiences living with disabilities to become legislative entrepreneurs in this field. They became a catalyst for change within Congress. Congress had to act – invitations to participate to public hearing of congressional committee on disability rights bills were an early measure of change. But, contrary to general knowledge, on participation of citizen groups at congressional committees, participation of individuals has been higher than that of formal organisations.