Celebrations of the July 26, 1990, signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by President George H.W. Bush will take place across the nation during the week of July 22-28.
The ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) give civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion. The ADA and ADAAA also assure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities for access to businesses, employment, transportation, state and local government programs and services, and telecommunications.
To celebrate this milestone, the Southeast ADA Center (ADAsoutheast.org), a project of the Burton Blatt Institute and a member of the ADA National Network, has created an ADA Anniversary Tool Kit for use by the public and the media through the ADA Anniversary website (ADAanniversary.org). The tool kit contains:
The tool kit, including a video on the impact of the ADA, is featured on Accessible SU (http://www.syr.edu/accessiblesu/).
“Since 1991, the 10 regional ADA Centers in the ADA National Network have worked to change the landscape for individuals with disabilities by providing free, confidential and accurate information, resources and training to businesses, employers and state and local governments on their responsibilities under the ADA,” says Pamela Williamson, director of the Southeast ADA Center. “We also provide free and confidential answers to questions asked by people with disabilities, their families and other advocates. Recently these have included calls from veterans living in the eight-state Southeast region, home to the highest number of military bases in the United States.
“Because of the outreach, training and technical assistance the network has done to promote voluntary compliance with the ADA, people with disabilities now have access to buildings, programs and opportunities for competitive employment. And their opportunities for full participation in community life are increasing every day.”
The ADA National Network’s 10 regional ADA Centers receive hundreds of calls on their toll free number: 1-800-949-4232 (voice/tty) that connects callers to the ADA Center serving their region. The ADA National Network is the go-to resource for information, guidance and training on the ADA and its implementation. Call toll free at 1-800-949-4232 (voice/tty) or visit its website at adata.org.
