BackCelebrating 30 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Posted on 07/31/20 in General
The Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination and guarantees people with disabilities equal access in employment (title I); state and local government services, including transportation (title II); public accommodations and commercial facilities (title III); and telecommunications (title IV) was signed into federal law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990.
The ADA was designed around the following four principles:
- Equality of opportunity
- Full participation
- Independent living
- Economic self-sufficiency
LEAP is a proud member of ADA Cleveland, a coalition of agencies and organizations from Greater Cleveland who share in the mission to provide greater access and opportunity for individuals with disabilities.
In its ongoing effort to celebrate the legacy of the landmark civil rights legislation, ADA Cleveland is hosting a series of virtual celebrations over a 30-day period, featuring workshops, advocacy, art, dance and more.
A virtual kickoff rally to mark the milestone anniversary was hosted Sunday via Zoom and simulcast on the coalition’s Facebook and YouTube channels. A replay is available on Facebook. All events are free and open to everyone.
Like most legislation, the ADA has evolved and been revised over time, including with the Amendments Act of 2008 and the adoption of Standards for Accessible Design in 2010.
Recognizing more can and should be done to advance participation and equality in society for people with disabilities in Northeast Ohio, LEAP continues to advocate for policies at the local, state and national level that promote equal access and inclusivity for all. But there is no denying the tremendous, long-lasting impact of the signing of the ADA 30 years ago.