Americans with Disabilities Act: 21 years later

Today, we mark the 21st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark bipartisan legislation that has played a huge role in making our country more accessible, in raising the expectations of people with disabilities and their families about what they can hope to achieve at work and in life, and inspiring the world to view disability issues through a human rights frame and not simply through a medical or charity model.  

The ADA sets forth four great, ambitious goals for people with disabilities: equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. Over the last two decades, we have made great progress. Streets, buildings, sports arenas, and transportation systems are more accessible for people with physical impairments. Information is offered in alternative formats. Because of the employment provisions, many individuals with disabilities are able to get reasonable accommodations on the job.

Just as important, we have seen an enormous change in attitudes toward people with disabilities. Our expectation is that we will do what it takes to give individuals with disabilities not just physical access, but equal opportunity in our schools, in our workplaces, in all areas of our economy and society.   

As we enter the third decade since the ADA’s passage, I believe one of the critical challenges we still need to tackle is the persistently low employment rates among Americans with disabilities. To combat this trend, I have challenged American employers to work with me to increase the size of the disability labor force to 6 million people by 2015. Our goal is to ensure that all individuals with disabilities have similar opportunities for careers that meet their goals, interests, and high expectations.

Sen. Harkin (D-Iowa) is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

To watch a video of Harkin pointing out how the ADA has increased accessibility around the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C, click here.

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