The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990.  Since then, National Disability Independence Day is celebrated every year on July 26th.  July is also Disability Pride Month, which was designated as a special time to honor diversity and ongoing contributions made by persons with disabilities to make our country a more inclusive place.

Disability rights are civil rights, and the ADA protects and preserves the rights of persons with disabilities in many areas of life.  The ADA is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion.  It is because of the ADA that persons with disabilities are guaranteed equal opportunities.

National Disability Independence Day is celebrated to honor the multitude of disabled individuals who fought for equality.  One in five persons in the United States, or 49.7 million people, have some kind of disability.  In honor of National Disability Independence Day, we are encouraged to help raise awareness to the thousands of people who remain unaware of the discrimination faced by millions of individuals with disabilities.  We should continue to educate ourselves on the ADA, and to support individuals with disabilities by empowering diverse perspectives and striving for increased accessibility in our world.

There is still work to be done.  However, by celebrating National Disability Independence Day, and remembering the ADA, we continue to support and expand diversity, equity, and inclusion for all.

Lily C. Calkins, Esq. is an associate in the firm’s Philadelphia office.