ADA = DEI: A look at the groundbreaking 1990 legislation

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a long history beginning in the early 1900’s. For the first 60 years, our nation sterilized and institutionalized this population to segregate those with disabilities from able bodied citizens as part of the eugenics agenda.

In the 1970’s, our nation witnessed the longest sit-in with the protest of long-delayed Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stated, “no otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States shall solely on the basis of his handicap, be excluded from the participation, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Yet, to this day, Americans with disabilities face discrimination every day. The disabled population has shown the immense bravery, tenacity, and determination we all have within us given the opportunity to fight for our rights.

Before the ADA was finally signed into law in 1990, a joint House-Senate hearing was recorded in 1988. Many understood the importance of empowering all Americans to live life to an individual’s full potential. Even then, they knew there would be a long road ahead and encouraged us to band together to forge ahead.

How have disability rights changed since 1990? A Call to Action

NowThis News produced this video in 2020 with Lawrence Carter-Long, the Communications Director at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. Carter-Long outlines the long struggle that has been fought for decades to gain equal opportunity, self-determination, and respect.

If you would like to answer the call to action, please visit Disability & Philanthropy Forum.

Online Resources

The ADA official website has all the information needed to become educated in law requirements. The ADA is separated into 5 different sections called Titles. Title I covers employment regulations for employers and employees. Title II is segmented into Subtitle A and B. Subtitle A speaks to State and Local government services while Subtitle B highlights public transit. Title III gives guidance to businesses that are open to the public and Title IV outlines the laws around telecommunication companies. Title V is titled “Other Important Requirements” which explains how to implement the law. The website is full of information and has guidance for Federal agency roles as well as how to file a complaint.

The ADA National Network provides training, information, and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act. The US is divided into 10 regions. Our region includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska which is housed here in Washington State. The website gives addresses, phone numbers, emails, and websites for each region.