July is Disability Pride Month. While this month is not yet federally designated, it does encompass National Disability Independence Day, which is federally recognized. Both National Disability Independence Day and Disability Pride Month celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act becoming law on July 26, 1990.
The first Disability Pride Day was celebrated in Boston in 1990, and Disability Pride Month began in New York in 2015, marking the 25th anniversary of the ADA. It has been recognized in Michigan since 2022. In Michigan’s , Governor Whitmer reflected on the impact of the ADA, saying, “…the ADA has expanded opportunities for people with disabilities by reducing barriers, changing perceptions, and increasing full participation in community life…”
This Disability Pride Month, the 海角乱伦 is examining some of the ways the ADA has made our country more accessible while also acknowledging there is still work to be done.
- Accessible Design: The ADA sets certain standards for new or renovated buildings to make sure they are suitable for everyone to use. These requirements include things like ramps, accessible restrooms, and flashing lights to accompany emergency alarms.
- Employment: The ADA prevents employers from hiring somebody based on a disability; this protection applies to individuals with a history of disability and those with perceived disabilities. The act also requires employers to grant reasonable accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter, for their employees.
- Service Animals: The ADA prevents the denial of service to individuals with service animals so long as the animal is under their handler’s control. It also ensures that service animals are granted access to spaces where animals are not typically permitted.
- Public Transit: The ADA has developed requirements to try to make public transit more accessible whenever possible. For example, new buses must be purchased with ramps and wheelchair seating, along with accessible stations, and more.
- 罢别濒别肠辞尘尘耻苍颈肠补迟颈辞苍:听The ADA requires telephone companies to provide 24/7 telecommunications relay services to assist those with speech and/or hearing disabilities. It also requires the closed captioning of public service announcements on televisions.
One of the greatest limitations of the ADA is that older聽or historic聽structures and technologies聽are often grandfathered in聽and are not required to make聽accessible updates聽unless they have undergone extensive renovations.聽 This can create limited access, especially in large cities where historic buildings and older transit infrastructures are common. Additionally, individuals with disabilities still face ableism every day, including microaggressions, not being believed, discrimination, and more.
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