One of the most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation, the Americans with Disabilities Act paves the way for accessibility and inclusion.
Today is National Disability Independence Day, which commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by President H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990.
The ADA is one of America's most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same equal opportunities to participate in mainstream American life. It paves the way for Americans with disabilities to enjoy employment opportunities, purchase goods and services, and participate in state and local government programs and services.
The ADA is modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
According to Census Bureau surveys conducted in 2019, it's estimated that:
• 41.1 million people in the United States have a disability
• Of those employed between the ages of 18-64, 7.9 million reported having a disability.
• Median earnings for those with disabilities age 16 and older were $25,270.
Amending the Act
In 2008, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) was signed into law and became effective on January 1, 2009. The ADAAA made a number of significant changes to the definition of "disability." The changes in the definition of disability in the ADAAA apply to all titles of the ADA, including Title I (employment practices of private employers with 15 or more employees, state and local governments, employment agencies, labor unions, agents of the employer, and joint management labor committees); Title II (programs and activities of state and local government entities); and Title III (private entities that are considered places of public accommodation.)
Our Commitment to Accessible and Inclusive Design
We're focused on bringing ease-of-use in our products to people with disabilities, and we're committed to ensuring our software is universally accessible. Our Accessibility Services Team devotes their time to analyzing websites, documents, and other materials for compliance with the latest accessibility guidelines. They review and ensure web pages are decipherable to enhance the user experience for all.
"We do whatever is necessary to ensure our products are accessible to as many people as possible, helping to level the playing field for all individuals, regardless of specific impairment," said Accessibility Services Team Lead, Patti Arouni.
To those celebrating today and all month long, we honor you for your uniqueness and courage.