The 100th Congress of the United States founded the American with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. Former President George W. Bush signed this historical game changing plan into law. At one time in our history there existed systematic, merciless, and sweeping discrimination against people with disabilities. For generations towns and cities in the U.S. excluded these persons from basic community gatherings and other social events. It was a sad reality until parents stood up and fought against the ousting of their family members.
There are several types of discriminations that have been identified throughout the years to include: direct, indirect, refusing to make reasonable accommodations, issues deriving from the disability itself, and blatant harassment of these individuals.The ADA secures a lawful place for persons with disabilities, fights for equal rights and opportunities in all ranges of their life, defines what is ADA compliance, and is a liaison for employment opportunities. Because of the accomplishments of the ADA many life enhancements are now enjoyed by this population. For example, indoor and outdoor pool accommodations, lawn bowling, other sport activities such as the special Olympics, enhanced educational activities, modified driving examinations, and more. There are also individuals with disabilities that are incarcerated who have benefited from programs that have been established in carpentry, IT, technical design, education, and other like sources. Today there are notices of the rights for incarcerated persons with disabilities posted publicly, in house coordination of policies in the facilities, and emergency management with ADA drill plug-ins.
Another important mentionable milestone of ADA is the inception of The National Council of the Handicapped, which is now known as the National Council on Disability or the NCD. This council paved the way for what is ADA compliance in the U.S. Shortly before the ADA was created this council headlined the news paving the way for this miraculous organization that has helped millions increase the quality of their activities of daily living. In 1988, they timely developed a report referenced “On the Threshold of Independence.” Consequently, Former Rep. Owens, Former co-chair Justin Dart Jr, and Elizabeth Boggs led the Congressional task Force creating “The Rights and Empowerment of Americans with Disabilities.” These amazing individuals paved the way for the first version of ADA.
During a Joint session of Congress in 1988 Former Silvio Conte of the state of Massachusetts, and U.S. representative Tony Coelho of the state of California made known H.R.4498 which is the House adaptation of the ADA of 1988. From this point Former Senator Lowell Weckler of Connecticut and Former Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa introduced the dynamic vision of legislation that arrived from the National Council of Disabilities: S.2345. These actions instituted the layout for the corner stone of the future of the ADA. Today persons with disabilities in the U.S. are afforded what is ADA compliance of freedoms and a quality of life such as others enjoy.