Today is the 23rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Today commemorates the 23rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  This act was the 1st piece of legislation that sought to create a level playing field for people with disabilities in American society.  The act was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on June 26th, 1990.

When this law was enacted, I was merely a child.  My generation, the Millennials, are the 1st to grow up in a post-ADA society.  I began kindergarten a year after the enactment.  My K-12 educational experience is vastly different from those who attended the educational system pre-ADA.  I saw my school district take great steps to adhere to the requirements of the law when it came to accessibility for me.  I also witnessed able-bodied individuals and businesses becoming more mindful of inclusion of people with disabilities in society.

This day is a very special day in disability rights and advocacy.  The ADA surely made an impact on the way people with disabilities are treated in our society, but the work still continues 23 years later.  There’s still a need for improvement to continue, and advocates like myself are up for the challenge.

Pres. George H. W. Bush signing ADA into law on this date in 1990.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was the 1st law that focused on all disabilities, & not categorized people by their medical conditions.

The ADA outlined the importance of inclusion for people with disabilities in our society. Exclusion and segregation were no longer acceptable, and integration wasn’t enough