July 26, 2024, marks the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the federal law that stands as a monumental achievement for civil rights, equality, and equity for people with disabilities. While we have much to celebrate after 34 years, there's much more work to be done.
The ADA was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990, after years of heroic activism from people with disabilities across the United States who wanted nothing more than independence, humanity, and dignity. One of the key figures in this movement was Judy Heumann. Diagnosed with polio at a young age, Heumann became a fierce advocate for disabilities and was instrumental in getting the ADA passed.
Heumann’s story, and the story of the grit, blood, sweat and tears that it took by her and many other advocates and activists to ensure equality and equity for all Americans is powerfully featured in the Netflix documentary “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.” The documentary has brought much more awareness to a civil rights movement in our country that is, arguably, often overlooked and some might say not discussed enough; but we, as today's activists and advocates, must continue the conversation.
Over the past 34 years, the ADA has reshaped our physical and social landscapes, leading to more accessible buildings, transportation systems, workplaces, and educational systems. It has empowered countless individuals to pursue their ambitions and live more independent lives.
As we celebrate the 34th anniversary, it’s crucial to continue to help shape the society we want for people with disabilities, both in the state of Florida and across the United States. We need to build on the foundation set by the ADA, striving for full equality and inclusion. This includes advocating for stronger enforcement of existing laws and pushing for new policies that address current gaps.
We must work towards creating more inclusive education systems and universities where students with disabilities receive the support they need to thrive, learn, and grow and share their full potential with the world. We need to ensure that workplaces are not only accessible but also inclusive, where people with disabilities can excel, advance and have the accommodations they need to do their jobs safely and to the best of their ability.
We must create better public infrastructure, buildings, and transportation systems through universal design, ensuring everyone has access to where they need to go by designing for the person with the disability not around the constraints of funding or decades old construction in some cases.
For so long, people with disabilities have had to adapt to the world around them, and while we’ve made great progress, in 2024, it’s time for the world to contribute more fully to adapting to us. The only way we can truly get what we need is by continuing to advocate, because there is no finish line.
If you're wondering what you can do today to be part of this process, here are a few ideas: speak up on social media; share with local state, and federal legislators your ideas for how government can be more proactive in enforcing the ADA and passing new laws to help people with disabilities; and ask for what you need from your employer, school, and local community to do your job to the best of your ability and live independently in the community. Without advocacy there is no action, and without action, there is no change.
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