Recognizing 35 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act - July 26, 2025
Each year in July, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) takes time to reflect on one of the most defining moments in disability rights history-the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This particular July marks the 35th anniversary for the signing of the ADA into law, a milestone in our nation's ongoing journey toward inclusion and accessibility.
Enacted on July 26, 1990, the ADA is a cornerstone civil rights statute. It protects people with disabilities from discrimination and promotes equal access in daily life everywhere from employment and education to transportation and public spaces. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the ADA has helped shift expectations from being seen primarily as recipients of care to being recognized as full participants in life and from being overlooked to being seen, valued, and heard.
- Public transit systems have become more accessible, allowing people to travel to work, school, and medical appointments with greater autonomy.
- In the workplace, protections against discrimination and the right to reasonable accommodations have expanded employment opportunities.
- And in public spaces-from ramps and curb cuts to captioned videos and accessible websites-barriers that once excluded are now being replaced with features that invite full participation.
These shifts have real-world impact. Thanks to the ADA, more people with disabilities live independently in their communities instead of institutions.
The ADA was - and still is - a promise. A promise that people with disabilities deserve equal access, full participation, and the same rights, responsibilities, and therefore the same opportunities as everyone else. It redefined how we think about accessibility, not as a privilege, but as a civil right.
At DDD, we don't take that promise for granted. On this anniversary, we honor those who made the ADA possible and celebrate how far we've come. We are able to reflect on how the ADA continues to influence the services and supports we provide.
Over the past 35 years, the ADA has helped shape policies, strengthened awareness, and encouraged a broader understanding of what accessibility and inclusion really mean. It reminds us that progress is ongoing and that thoughtful support systems make a meaningful difference.
This anniversary is a chance to:
- look back on the progress that's been made
- acknowledge the everyday impact of this important law
- continue working together to create spaces where everyone feels supported, included, and respected
The ADA helped shift long-standing barriers and now supports more opportunities for people to live, learn, work, and participate fully in their communities. Thank you for joining us in recognizing this important moment in disability rights history.
The information contained herein should not be considered a substitute for the appropriate official statutes, rules, regulations, or the advice of legal counsel. To request to be added to our email database, or to update your contact and service information, please complete our Contact Survey. Information provided will help us to better tailor communications to you in the future.
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