Today, July 26, 2019, National Disability Institute (NDI) commemorates the 29th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The ADA is a civil rights law that was enacted in 1990, and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. That means schools, jobs, transportation, telecommunications and all public/private places open to the public. The law aims to ensure that all people with disabilities have equality of opportunity, economic self-sufficiency and full participation in their communities.
President Trump issued an official proclamation for the 29th anniversary, stating “On the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we celebrate this historic legislation, which reflects our Nation’s dedication to securing the equal rights and defending the intrinsic dignity of all men and women. Today, we renew our commitment to empowering Americans with disabilities through equal access so they can achieve their full potential, and we celebrate their contributions to our great Nation.” Read the full proclamation here.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, Jennifer Sheehy, also issued a statement on the anniversary in a blog post for the Department of Labor, writing “By ensuring the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, including employment, the ADA helped renew our nation’s founding ideals. The millions of Americans with disabilities add significant value and talent to our workforce and economy.” Read the blog here.
National Disability Institute envisions a society where people with disabilities have the same opportunities to achieve financial stability and independence as people without disabilities and is committed to building a better financial future for people with disabilities and their families. As we share in today’s ADA celebrations, we invite you to join the conversation on Facebook (@NationalDisability) or on Twitter (@natdisability) by using the hashtag #ADA29.
