The ADA 33rd Anniversary
In 1990, a landmark piece of legislation forever changed the lives of millions of individuals living with a disability and this July 26 will mark the 33rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA brought a slew of changes to the disability community, barriers that once limited full participation in society were broken. Prior to the legislation, many individuals with disabilities faced discrimination in employment, education, public transportation, and access to public spaces. As we celebrate the legacy of the ADA, we must acknowledge the impact as well as our gratitude to the dedicated advocates that continuously fought to pass, enhance, and uphold the law.
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The ADA has been instrumental in promoting inclusivity for all, especially requiring the inclusion of ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, and other accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities can navigate the world with greater ease and dignity. Employers, schools, and restaurants are now mandated to provide reasonable accommodation for all individuals living with a disability. The changes put forward has allowed the ADA to foster a sense of belonging and community throughout all of society. While these changes were monumental, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation would be remiss if we did not recognize that our work is far from over.
The fight for full inclusion and equality remains ongoing, as new challenges and barriers emerge. Reeve Regional Champion and disability rights Advocate Sheri Denkensohn, explains, “after 33 years you would think it would be a no-brainer for accessibility. While the transportation system (DC Metro) and paratransit systems are close to the best when it comes to accessibility, there are still glitches.” Some of the glitches she refers to are when construction of new establishments is not compliant with the ADA. Countertop height, door width, automatic door openers placed out of reach, accessible parking spaces that are improperly marked and accessible hotel rooms that are supposed to be “accessible.”
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Since the ADA, it is usually up to the individual to act when there are violations of the legislation, which will require time and energy from the individual to either work amicably with the establishment’s management to discuss the changes that need to be made to filing a complaint with the Department of Justice. However, there is still no guarantee that enforcement of the legislation will occur. Access to proper air travel for people with disabilities is still an ongoing issue that the Reeve Foundation and our coalition partners are continuously advocating for. We are hopeful the 2023 FAA Reauthorization will help alleviate some of the inequalities passengers with disabilities face when traveling by air.
The positive changes brought about by the ADA would not have been possible without the dedication and determination of many disability rights advocates. The Reeve Foundation thanks all the individuals, such as the late disability rights activist, Judy Heumann, who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness, challenge discrimination, and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. Their commitment to creating a more accessible and inclusive society has been unwavering, and their efforts continue to shape policy and legislation. The work is not over until every single person who lives with a disability can experience the promises of the ADA as a reality in their lives.
If you would like to learn more about the Reeve Foundation’s growing grassroots advocacy programs, please contact Gerard Arnum, Grassroots Advocacy Manager, at garnum@christopherreeve.org.