On Monday, the 26th of July, President Joe Biden held a ceremony at the White House to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
“Thirty-one years ago, on July 26, 1990, our Nation moved closer to the fulfillment of its foundational promise when we passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark law affirms and protects the fundamental rights of people with disabilities — the right to equal opportunity, economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and equitable participation in every aspect of American life. For more than three decades, the ADA has made our communities, our economy, and our country stronger and more vibrant. It has helped to uphold the dignity of the estimated 61 million Americans who live with a disability — in short, it is a triumph of American civil rights.”
President George H.W. Bush signed the act and put it into action. At the time, President Biden, was a co-sponsor of the ADA as a member of the U.S. Senate. Since the passage of the ADA, the Civil Rights Division has enforced its protections and has vindicated the rights of people with disabilities across the United States.
The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities on the basis of race, color, sex, national, origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.
Learn more about the ADA – adata.org/learn-about-ada
