Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Anniversary

President Joseph Biden, who co-sponsored the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 32 years ago, shares his commitment to advancing the rights of people with disabilities. He describes how his office is working to advance equity and equal opportunities for people with disabilities through expanding service access, affordable housing, employment opportunities, and classroom resources.

The Administration for Community Living created this resource to educate the public about the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes the origin of the ADA, crafting the law, and becoming law. The page also highlights stories of people impacted by the ADA as well as tools and resources.

Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. Neurological disorders include autism, epilepsy, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, brain and spinal cord injury, and more. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) works to better understand these conditions and identify evidence-based interventions. NINDS is working to create a Health Equity Strategic plan to guide their efforts to eliminate health disparities and promote health equity. NINDS is also working to advance workforce diversity and programs to advance the careers of scientists with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Justice commemorates the 32nd anniversary of the ADA, which requires equal opportunity for people with disabilities, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic. The department works to advance the rights of people with disabilities through promoting web accessibility, warning about the use of artificial intelligence in hiring, ensure the fair treatment of people with opioid use disorder, promoting access to transportation, and fighting segregation and criminalization of people with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of State celebrates the ADA, which helped begin a shift towards viewing people with disabilities as individuals deserving of rights. One in every seven people worldwide has a disability. The department works with global partners to advance disability rights and strives to be an inclusive employer.

Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a roundtable conversation with disability rights leaders in honor of the 32nd anniversary of the ADA. Vice President Harris discussed the impact of health disparities on people with disabilities. Participants shared their experiences, including reproductive health care and abortion access. Meeting participants included IACC member Sam Crane. The full recording of the roundtable can be found here.

In honor of the anniversary of the ADA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities. They highlight the need to include people with disabilities in emergency response plans. They give an overview of CDC’s coronavirus guidance for people with disabilities and the stakeholders that support them. The CDC also developed the Disability and Health Data System (DHDS) to better understand the needs of adults with disabilities.

Ms. Taryn Williams, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Disability Employment Policy, reflects on the promises of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In this blog post she discusses how the ADA and the ruling in Olmstead v. L.C. advance competitive integrated employment (CIE).

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF), which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense, describes their commitment to advocating for employees with disabilities. They developed the CrossAbilities Employee Resource Group and PSNS & IMF Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility in January 2022. Their goal is to be a leader in the federal service for employment of people with disabilities.

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams and other department leaders will discuss the DOL’s efforts to deliver on the promises of the ADA. They will discuss the department’s programs and policies. The event is virtual, free, and open to the public.