Celebrating Americans With Disabilities Act: 31 Years Later
Today we are excited to celebrate the 31st Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. On this day in 199, George H.W. Bush signed the Act into law on the grounds of the White House accompanied by politicians and disability advocates.
“Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down.”-George H.W. Bush.
The Americans with Disabilities Act, coined the ADA, prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local government’ programs and services. Since its passing, amendments and changes have been made to the Act, including; broadening the definition of disabilities, expanding on what major life activities are, handling community integration, and more.
Currently, we also see significant strides in politics when it comes to persons with disabilities with the SSI Restoration Act of 2021, which will: aim to raise monthly disability income to the national poverty level, change savings amount from $2,000 to $10,000, remove marriage ban and promote marriage equality between disabled persons and their partners, update outside income restrictions, and remove penalties for receiving help from family and friends.
Strides such as passing the ADA or amendments to the current legislature would not be possible without those who fight and advocate tirelessly and fearlessly for disability rights. From the 504 sit-ins to our staff members—such as Gaylon Tootle, who resiliently stands up for the disability community within Rural GA as it pertains to their rights and resources to vote— the way the world has come to view persons with disabilities has changed drastically, and we are ecstatic to see it.
As we close out today’s celebrations and get back to the incredible work of advocacy, we are grateful to know the work still being done and the priority still being had regarding persons with disabilities in America. Today, July 26, 2021, the President (Joe Biden) and Vice President (Kamala Harris), too, commemorated this momentous day with a celebration at the White House for disability advocates around the nation (and yes, Gaylon was in attendance). Watch the clip below. (Video begins at 35:00)
“Today marks 31 years since the passage of the ADA. I can remember when this law went into effect. I was in the early stages of my career working for the Florida Association for Deaf-Blind in Florida, not long out of college. At that time, I profess, I did not understand the brevity because my exposure to advocacy work had been minimal. It was not until coming to Walton Options that I had a full awakening and interactions with such diversity in disability and got a better understanding of what the ADA meant by meeting some who had been part of the process.” –Tiffany Clifford
As we venture into the 32nd year of the ADA, we hope that you advocate via speaking up, speaking out, lending support, erasing harmful language and ideologies, gaining knowledge, and giving respect to/for/and in support of persons with disabilities. They are more than their disability.