The Anniversary Of The American Disabilities Act

By Arshia Verma

This past Tuesday, July 26th, marked the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This act was signed into law in 1990 by President Bush and has benefited people with disabilities in a multitude of ways. The ADA aims to ban discrimination on basis of a person’s disability in the sphere of employment, transportation, and other public accommodations. Furthermore, it advocates for independent living and economic independence for those with disabilities. This has reduced the number of individuals being unnecessarily institutionalized for their disabilities. 

President George H.W. Bush stated, “As the Declaration of Independence has been a beacon for people all over the world seeking freedom, it is my hope that the Americans with Disabilities Act will likewise come to be a model for the choices and opportunities of future generations around the world” at the signing of the ADA. There was a large struggle before this bill was passed, as the Capitol Crawl, hundreds of protestors from the disabled community taking part in a rally on the US Capitol steps, had to be done in order to convince Congress to move forward on the bill. Because of people with disabilities who demanded change, our society’s perception of disability and treatment of people with disabilities has transformed immensely.

It is vital to note that the act was not a perfect answer for all the challenges faced by people with disabilities, as the disparities were amplified during the pandemic. A study published in March of 2021 states that people with disabilities were even more negatively impacted by COVID-19 because of “the increased risk of poor outcomes from the disease itself, reduced access to routine health care and rehabilitation, and the adverse social impacts of efforts to mitigate the pandemic.” Disability advocates, health professionals, and lawmakers continue to strive toward a more inclusive, fair health care system and society for those who live with a disability. One such example is that the United States Justice Department has recently been working with many major healthcare companies such as CVS Pharmacy Inc. and Rite Aid Corporation to ensure that their websites abide by the ADA requirements for website accessibility so as to ensure that people with disabilities can properly book vaccine appointments and access critical health information. 

In our daily lives, it is important to take the effort to make the necessary accommodations for everyone. There is certainly much scope in which to improve, but we should also reflect on all of the good that the ADA has brought to the disabled community thanks to its tireless advocates.