Last year, the ACLU of Colorado discovered nearly 800 cases where people had gone to jail in Colorado Springs, Colo., when they couldn't pay their tickets for minor violations. Pictured above is Alamo Square Park, site of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Michael Bullock/Getty images hide caption

One of the last family photos of Bernard Simmons is shown by his sister, Debra Simmons, in her home in Chicago. Peter Hoffman for NPR hide caption

Qumotria Kennedy, 36, stands at the baseball field in downtown Biloxi where she worked as a contract maintenance employee. She's a plaintiff in an ACLU lawsuit accusing the city of operating an illegal "debtors' prison." William Widmer/Courtesy of ACLU hide caption

At the State Department conference for people with disabilities, adviser Judy Heumann (center) is surrounded by admirers from around the world. Joseph Shapiro/NPR hide caption

"This elevator is a gift from the disability community and the ADA to the nondisabled people of New York," says Attorney Wolinsky, who co-founded Disability Rights Advocates. The elevator at the Dyckman Street Subway Station in Inwood, Manhattan, helps people of all abilities reach the platform. Michael Rubenstein for NPR hide caption

When Sara Garcia's son, Mark, was released from solitary confinement, she also became his unofficial case manager: seeking a psychiatrist, job leads and writing out applications for food stamps. Julia Robinson for NPR hide caption

Brian Nelson, 50, at his home in Chicago. Five years after he was released from solitary confinement, he says it's still hard to be around people. Peter Hoffman for NPR hide caption

Edward Brown, who was jailed for not paying fines he couldn't afford, is among 16 plaintiffs in two lawsuits filed against the cities of Ferguson and Jennings, Mo. Joseph Shapiro/NPR hide caption

Tonya DeBerry (center) and her children, Herbert Nelson and Allison Nelson, have all been held in Ferguson and Jennings jails for unpaid traffic tickets. Joseph Shapiro/NPR hide caption