We’re all familiar with the civil rights movement of the 1960s, but did you know there was also a similar movement that fought for the rights of the more than 40 million Americans who suffer from a disability?
On July 26th, we celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as the ADA. Passed by Congress and signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, the ADA is the first comprehensive civil rights act for people with disabilities.
Keep reading to learn more about this historic piece of legislation and how it came about.
“Out of Sight, Out of Mind”
Before the signing of the ADA, disabled persons were treated as second-class citizens. Societal barriers and prejudice against disabled persons were viewed not so much as discrimination against the person but as a consequence of their condition.
In 1989 a series of congressional hearings took place to discuss the merits of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Dozens of witnesses testified about their experiences with discrimination.
A young woman with cerebral palsy relayed her encounter with a local movie theater that would not let her in because of her disability. When her mother called the theater to protest that this attitude “sounded like discrimination,” the theater owner stated, “I don’t care what it sounds like.
While today that story might seem shocking, unfortunately, ignoring or shunning disabled members of society was an attitude held by many for centuries.
Equal Rights For All
During those same hearings, another witness, a VietNam veteran who had been paralyzed in combat and was now in a wheelchair, testified that his housing complex had no access ramps. Neither did the public transportation he relied upon.
Discrimination in the workplace was also a common occurrence.
One woman testified that after being diagnosed with breast cancer and having surgery, she lost her job. Only to discover that no one else would hire her due to her previous cancer diagnosis.
Those kinds of stories didn’t end on the Senate floor.
People with disabilities came from around the country at their own expense, sometimes to talk to members of Congress, to advocate for the Bill, and to explain why each provision was necessary to address a real barrier or form of discrimination. Those who couldn’t come to Washington in person wrote letters and made countless phone calls.
Due to the efforts of thousands of people who organized, lobbied, protested, testified, and helped draft legislation, the Americans with Disabilities Act was finally passed.
The Work Continues
It’s been 32 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Although there have been significant improvements, people with disabilities continue to encounter barriers that affect their ability to live, work, and use the same recreational facilities that other Americans enjoy.
To further advance the cause, the ADA National Network was established in 1991. Its purpose is to provide information, guidance, and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act and to support its mission to “assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.”
To learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act and the ADA National Network and its mission, go Here.
If you are currently receiving disability benefits, in the process of filing a claim or an appeal, and have any questions, we can help. Our expert team at Tucker Disability Law has won thousands of disability cases because we work harder to get you the benefits you deserve. You can click this link to schedule a free no-obligation consultation or call us at 866-282-5260.
