National Disability Independence Day is celebrated every year on July 26. It commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) in 1990. This civil rights law criminalizes any kind of discrimination against individuals with disabilities and assures them full participation in the community, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. The Americans with Disability Act covers the following areas: public accommodation, employment, transportation, and state and local government services. ADA is a life-changing act for many people. Today, one in four Americans with a disability can access and participate better in their workplaces and communities.
The American disability movement started in the 1960s, aiming to resist the age-old notion that people with disabilities are defective, and as such need to be segregated from civic life. The movement was inspired by the broader civil rights struggles of the time. It rejected cruel attitudes and advocated for full access to opportunities in education, public life, and employment.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was a major step for the betterment of people with disabilities. This prohibited recipients of federal funds from discriminating against people with disabilities. Subsequent advocacy and legislation led to the ADA, first introduced in 1988 and designed to build on the progress of the Rehabilitation Act, expanding the rights of the disabled community into a single law to ensure freedom from discrimination in employment, transportation, communication, and government and public establishments.
Ways to Observe National Disability Independence Day:
- Raise Awareness: Spread the message. Thousands of people are unaware of the discrimination faced by people with disabilities. It is high time to reach the masses and make them aware.
- Support Artists with Disabilities: Art adds color to life. Art made by artists with disabilities represents their chance of employment. Support the disabled community by buying their art and craftwork.
- Educate Yourself: Research and study the history behind the disability movement. Join seminars and webinars, and participate in discussions, to know more about the current scenario and the effects of the ADA.
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