ADA – 32 Years Of Slow Progress

Thirty-two years ago Pres. George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. At the time, only 38 states had any protections for people with disabilities. This national law introduced the idea of “reasonable accommodation” in the workplace, and mandated that federally funded public buildings be accessible to all. The courts continue to hear cases on a daily basis which solidify and strengthen these and other mandates.

New York University (NYU) recently held a special commencement ceremony, honoring the classes of 2020 and 2021. Some 10,000 students who received undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees amid the global pandemic returned to convene with more than 20,000 family, friends, alumni, faculty and other NYU community members in a first-ever evening all-university celebration at Yankee Stadium, part of a double-header commencement day that included a morning ceremony honoring the class of 2022.

Disability organizations reacted after the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn the court’s rulings in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, ending any federal right to abortion. The statement from American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); Autistic Self Advocacy Network; Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network; Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law’ Be A Hero Center for American Progress; Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund; Little Lobbyists; and Women Enabled International expressed grave concern and outrage.

Disability advocates in New York signed a settlement agreement in June that will make the New York City subway accessible for more than half a million people with disabilities who cannot use stairs to access the system. At present only 25 percent of stations (113 stations) have elevators or ramps and are usable by people with disabilities, affecting their mobility.

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