23rd Anniversary of The Americans With Disabilities Act

 

Signed into law by former president George W. Bush in 1990, the ADA was the first civil rights law passed to eliminate discrimination against citizens with disabilities in the areas of employment, transportation, telecommunications and public accommodations. While only 23 years old, the ADA has helped push America forward toward building a more inclusive society. The ADA was founded on the principle outlined by Congress which acknowledges that "physical or mental disabilities in no way diminishes a person's right to fully participate in all aspects of society..."[1] The opportunity to be integrated into society and be a fully participatory member should be available to each and every citizen, regardless of ability.

While we are 23 years down the road past the original signing of the ADA, citizens with disabilities still face many barriers of inequality. We continue to hear stories of people being excluded from their communities, unable to access reliable public transportation, being unemployed or underemployed and left with few housing options. We know that individuals are still unable to have complete access to technology and are prevented from realizing their fullest potential within the workforce. Citizens with disabilities still face stereotypes, uninformed attitudes and patronizing actions by those who have failed to push the envelope forward and honor the principles that the Americans with Disabilities Act was built upon.  We are hopeful that the Employment First initiatives being implemented around the country will guide us in fulfilling the promise of the ADA.  

 

As we approach the 23rd Anniversary of the ADA - July 26^th...                                    JUSTIN DART

let us seek to fulfill the words of former disability rights activist Justin Dart, who once called for "...solidarity among all who love justice, all who love life, to create a revolution that will empower every single human being to govern his or her life, to govern the society and to be fully productive of life quality for self and for all."[2] Let us make a recommitment to affirm the values and goals of the ADA and see that true and complete integration becomes a reality for every citizen of our society.

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[1]Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 42 U.S.C. § 12101 www.ada.gov/pubs/ada.htm

[2] Disability Social History Project. Statement from Justin Dart. (2003). Retrieved from http://www.disabilityhistory.org/people_dart.html#jdstate