Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark piece of federal civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. Passed on July 26, 1990, the ADA enshrined protections for an entire class of people who lobbied for decades to be recognized for their struggles as a minority group in a society that catered to able-bodied people at their expense.
At Rio Salado College, we’re proud to provide equitable and accessible access to education for our community of learners. We wanted to take a moment to acknowledge this important historical milestone and to share some learning resources about the ADA and disabilities.
A Brief History of the ADA
The passing of the ADA in 1990 didn’t happen in a vacuum: it was the culmination of years of work put in by disability activists and community advocates. The pathway to the ADA was opened up with the passage of Section 504 in the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. This is the first time in U.S. history that individuals with disabilities were formally recognized as a class of people who could be discriminated against.
With Section 504 establishing a framework for addressing discrimination, the disability community worked tirelessly to educate the public and people with disabilities about the need for broad anti-discrimination protections. One of the most effective tactics for shoring up support for the cause was a national campaign of “discrimination diaries” in which people with disabilities were encouraged to document on paper their daily experiences with inaccessibility and discrimination. These diaries, along with impassioned public testimony in the lead-up to the ADA’s passage, helped lawmakers, journalists, and the public at large understand what was at stake.
Learn More About The ADA
Our library staff have put together an informative guide that offers access to media and resources that explain in greater detail what the ADA does and how important an achievement it’s passing was.
Americans with Disabilities (ADA) 33rd Anniversary Library Guide
Tune In For Live Events
The ADA National Network is hosting two free Zoom events this week. These webinars provide invaluable historical context about the ADA as well as offer resources and guidance on how to go about securing reasonable accommodations and finding work as a person with disabilities.
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Reasonable Accommodations and the Path to Employment
Event Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Time: 3:00 PM EDT -4:30 PM EDT
Where: Zoom
Reasonable Accommodations and the Path to Employment
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Celebrate ADA! Learn About ADA Resources for Information, Guidance and Training
Event Date: Thursday, July 27, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM EDT - 11:00 AM EDT
Where: Zoom
- Celebrate ADA! Learn About ADA Resources for Information, Guidance and Training
Need Help With Accessibility At Rio?
Do you need help getting accommodations as a student with disabilities? Rio Salado's Disability Services team can help answer your questions and guide you toward resources and services that can make your learning experience work for your particular needs.
Article by Austin Brietta