By Yolanda Webb, Director of the Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990.The act declared equality for disabled people across the country. What was so phenomenal about this piece of legislation that President George H.W. Bush signed into law 30 years ago today was that for the first time ever, the federal government acknowledged that discrimination of any kind existed all across our nation.
I can remember exactly where I was the day it was signed. I was working as a behavior specialist at the San Antonio State School. My team and I had a huge celebration of the signing of the ADA that day.
Over the course of the more than 30 years I have worked with adults and children with disabilities, I can remember every milestone. What I saw would lead me to go on to become a passionate disability rights advocate.
Over the years, I've attended many rallies about deinstitutionalization. I've spoken before both the Ohio Legislature and U.S. Congress on the issues of housing in the community and was honored to write one of the first person-centered plans in the nation when I worked in Ohio.
While I have seen many changes due to the ADA, there is still work to be done. And thankfully, the fight continues today for many disabled Americans. Issues around earning a living wage without it impacting upon your federal benefits, technology, transportation and housing are still powerful battles on the disability front. And there is still so much more to do regarding work environments.
On this 30th anniversary of the ADA's signing, please join in celebration and pride with those of us who have been on the front lines fighting for the ADA and who continue this fight 30 years later.