The Americans with Disabilities Act Works

From Ticket to Work: (click for full article)

A Message from Associate Commissioner Bob Williams:

In 1990, I was privileged to be part of a coalition of people with disabilities, civil rights workers and disability advocates in Washington, DC who, with the tremendous support of thousands of ordinary citizens across America, convinced the Congress to enact the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. 

Over the last 22 years, the ADA has been sweeping in its impact in assuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for Americans with disabilities of all ages, races and regions.  Instead of weakening the country as some predicted it might, the ADA is continuing to strengthen America’s core value of individual freedom.  Today, due to the ADA and related laws, more students with disabilities are graduating from high school and college.  More Americans with significant disabilities are receiving the support they need to live in the community rather than languishing in institutions.  Stores, restaurants, businesses, courts, and transit systems are now readily accessible to people with a range of mobility, sensory and other disabilities.  The country’s telecommunications, 911 and other emergency preparedness systems are similarly accessible and usable by those with and without disabilities alike.  The Internet and other digital technologies are transforming barriers into opportunities in education, employment and many other facets of American life.