THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT CELEBRATES 32 YEARS
The ADA, or Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26th, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. The civil rights law was an historic win for the community of Americans living with disabilities and its guarantees opened doors for many that were previously closed, such as employment or education.
Briefly, the ADA prohibits discrimination in employment, education, or from government services and departments. It also guarantees access to all public spaces and places of employment, as well as accessibility accommodations for things like transportation, internet, and telephones. There have been improvements and amendments in the 32 years since, in order to keep pace with technology and accessibility improvements, but the original intent never changes, to assure equal rights to those with disability and to give resources and the backing of law when those rights are being infringed upon.
If you’d like to learn more about the ADA, or its history, please check out these links:
ONGOING STRUGGLES
It’s a foregone conclusion that the ADA was an important and necessary step forward in the United States, but there is more to do. Intersectionality is a topic that hasn’t been addressed enough in the collective National conversation, nor has the statistical likelihood that abuse or discrimination of people with disabilities increases due to things like gender, orientation, or race.
If you’d like to learn more about the activists that helped bring the ADA into law, and about how the fight for Civil Rights for those with disabilities continues, click here:
“The ADA Was a Monumental Achievement 30 Years Ago, but the Fight for Equal Rights Continues”
THE ADA AND ADEC
At ADEC, our entire mission is to provide services to community members with disabilities, as well as protection, care, and advocacy. ADEC Policy 5.2.2 states “It is ADEC’s policy to protect and promote the fundamental human rights of all persons receiving services from ADEC. Rights of persons served shall not be violated and shall be protected under ADEC administrative and personnel policies or procedures as well applicable state and federal laws.”
ADEC is also a huge proponent of Self-Advocacy and helps facilitate involvement in an ADEC Chapter of Self-Advocates of Indiana, called Self-Advocates of ADEC, made up entirely of individuals with disabilities who have an interest in advocating for themselves and others. Emily, the current President of Self-Advocates of ADEC, is currently launching a monthly Podcast that will give them a platform to discuss matters important to them and to educate the public on them as well.
To listen to the introduction, click here:
There will be a monthly episode beginning with the official launch of the podcast in August, so feel free to subscribe if you’d like to hear more.
