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ADA Celebrates 35 Years This Month

In July of 1990, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was signed into law. This legislation was a game changer for U.S. citizens with disabilities and would come to shape the system we have in place today.

The ADA guaranteed equal opportunity in public accommodations, employment, and more. Behind the scenes in 1990 were grass-roots activists pushing to have this permanent protection put in place. On the front side of the effort was Kansas Senator Bob Dole, a man who suffered with a disability of his own, making the effort near and dear to his heart.

About Bob Dole’s Disability

Dole sustained severe injuries during World War II in 1945 while serving as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. A German shell explosion in Italy left him with a shattered right arm, severe spinal injuries, and damage to his left arm, resulting in permanent loss of mobility in his right arm and limited use of his left hand. He underwent extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, spending over three years in hospitals recovering. Despite these disabilities, he went on to have a distinguished political career, serving as a U.S. Senator from Kansas and the Republican presidential nominee in 1996.

“The message to America by passing this bill is that inequality and prejudice will no longer be tolerated,” said Dole in a statement after the bill passed. “We need this legislation not only because it is just and fair for people with disabilities, but because all of us can benefit from the talents and abilities of all Americans.”

More About the ADA

The ADA prohibits discrimination against disabled persons. This applies to employment, transportation, public services and public accommodations.

The ADA is enforced by federal agencies like the Department of Justice (DOJ), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and Department of Transportation. Individuals can file complaints or lawsuits for violations.

The ADA applies to a wide range of disabilities, including physical, sensory, cognitive, and mental health conditions, and defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The law has been amended, notably in 2008 (ADA Amendments Act), to broaden the definition of disability and clarify coverage.