Written by Lauren James Budhu
Imagine riding a bus or train and being forced to abandon your chair needed for transport. Or if you wanted to have lunch with your family at a local restaurant, the staff could refuse to serve you because of your disability. That was the reality for millions of people before the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Today, this landmark federal civil rights law protects people with disabilities from all forms of discrimination in the United States.
July is Disability Pride Month, which recognizes the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles that individuals in the disability community face while commemorating the passage of the ADA. This year marks the 35th anniversary of its passing.
According to ADA.gov, ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability just as other civil rights laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law, guaranteeing that people with disabilities have the same legal rights as everyone else to enjoy employment opportunities, purchase products and services, and participate in state and local government programs.
The ADA protects more than 56 million Americans from discrimination in all areas of life, including work, school, and transportation; it didn't just start 35 years ago. Various acts were passed and programs were started throughout the 20th century that helped usher in protections for disabilities that ultimately led to the monumental legislation being passed in 1990:
- In 1946, President Truman signed the National Mental Health Act, which established the National Institute of Mental Health, responsible for biomedical and health-related research.
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964 jump-started the protections of everyone’s civil rights, outlawing discrimination and segregation based on race, color, religion, or sex.
- Additionally, the Special Olympics was established in 1962 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who played sports with her sister, who had an intellectual disability.
The original version of the ADA was introduced by Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., laying the foundation for its passage in 1990. Modeled after the Civil Rights Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990. The collective efforts of decades of advocacy allowed for the most comprehensive disability rights legislation in history.
Are you interested in honoring this special anniversary in some way? Here are some ideas:
- Enhance accessibility at your school, work, or community by appointing an ADA coordinator.
- Survey websites for digital accessibility and prioritize web pages that need updates.
- Commit to providing easy building accessibility and playgrounds that meet ADA compliance guidelines.
- Host disability awareness events such as races, exhibit works by artists with disabilities, or discussions about the impact of ADA and what it means to participants.
Consider more ways to celebrate the ADA and learn how to ensure everything you do is accessible to everyone. Happy summer!
