July 26, 2020, marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was created to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in areas such as employment, education, communications, transportation, and other aspects of public life.
Thankfully, the benchmark ADA legislation in 1990 opened the door for additional public policy designed address disparities and equal opportunity for people with disabilities, including the ability to save. Federal and state Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) legislation provided a new path toward independence and economic self-sufficiency. Now, thousands of Americans with disabilities are saving and investing for the future with ABLEnow.
The ADA anniversary comes at a pivotal time as the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated longstanding challenges and barriers to health care, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. While progress has been made, significant work remains to fulfill the promise of the ADA.
Learn more with the ADA National Network at adaanniversary.org and on social media using #ADA30 and #ThanksToTheADA. In addition, state and local ADA anniversary events are taking place across the country. The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities is hosting a week-long virtual celebration in partnership with Town of Dumfries Councilwoman Selonia Miles and disability advocates from across Virginia.
