Every year on July 26, the United States celebrates National Disability Independence Day. This significant observance commemorates the signing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. The ADA is a comprehensive civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all places open to the general public.
The Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA was a major victory for the disability rights movement in the U.S. It affirmed that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA is divided into five titles that relate to different areas:
- Title I – Employment: Helps people with disabilities access the same employment opportunities and benefits available to people without disabilities.
- Title II – Public Services: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by “public entities” such as state and local government agencies.
- Title III – Public Accommodations: Requires places of public accommodation to be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
- Title IV – Telecommunications: Requires telephone and Internet companies to provide relay services allowing people with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate over the telephone.
- Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions: Contains a variety of provisions relating to the ADA as a whole, including its relationship to other laws and its impact on insurance providers.
The ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. It was largely modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The ADA’s passage was the culmination of years of activism by the disability community fighting for equal rights and inclusion in society.
Impact of the ADA
Over the past three decades, the ADA has helped increase access and opportunity for people with disabilities across American society. Some of the many areas impacted include:
Employment
The ADA prohibits discrimination in all employment practices, including job application procedures, hiring, advancement, compensation, training, and other conditions of employment. It also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities.
Public Spaces and Transportation
The ADA mandates that public spaces and transportation be made accessible to people with mobility, vision, and hearing disabilities. This includes measures like ramps, braille signage, and offering sign language interpreters. Public transit systems must also be accessible to people using wheelchairs, scooters, and service animals.
Education
Students with disabilities are entitled to a “free appropriate public education” and reasonable accommodations under the ADA and other disability rights laws. This enables students with a range of disabilities to be included in mainstream classrooms and activities.
Communication
The ADA requires that businesses and government agencies communicate effectively with people who have vision, hearing, or speech disabilities. This can involve providing sign language interpreters, documents in braille or large print, and other assistive technologies.
Continuing the Fight for Disability Rights
While the ADA was groundbreaking legislation, people with disabilities still face barriers and discrimination 30 years later. Unemployment remains high among the disability community and many public places, businesses, and websites continue to be inaccessible.
National Disability Independence Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress made, but also recommit to the work ahead to achieve full inclusion, access, and equality for people with disabilities. The disability rights movement and allies continue to advocate for stronger enforcement of the ADA, elimination of subminimum wages, improved accessibility in the digital age, and other disability rights priorities.
How to Celebrate National Disability Independence Day
There are many ways to honor this day and support the disability community:
- Attend or organize an ADA anniversary event in your community
- Support disability-owned businesses and organizations
- Make your website and social media content accessible to people with disabilities
- Advocate for disability rights legislation with your elected officials
- Educate yourself and others about disability history and the continuing barriers people with disabilities face
National Disability Independence Day commemorates a major step forward for disability rights in America. As we celebrate the anniversary of the ADA, we must also recognize the ongoing fight for true equality and inclusion for people with disabilities in all facets of society. Together, we can work toward a future where every person, regardless of disability, can participate fully in our national life.