Hoyer, Hatch, Harkin, Dole, Bartlett Op-Ed in USA Today: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

In case you missed it, wanted to be sure you saw yesterday's op-ed by House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer, Senator Orrin Hatch, former Senators Tom Harkin and Bob Dole, and former Representative Steve Bartlett in USA Today on the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA). The authors played leading roles in the passage of the ADA. Since President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990, it has removed barriers and expanded access to opportunities for millions of individuals living with disabilities. To read the op-ed, click here or see below:

USA Today Op-Ed: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

By Steny Hoyer, Orrin Hatch, Tom Harkin, Bob Dole, Steve Bartlett

July 26, 2015

Twenty-five years ago today, America took a major step forward in the history of civil rights and equal opportunity. The signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990, widened doors, built ramps and presented opportunities to millions of Americans previously prevented from partaking fully in our society because of a differing ability. It brought to the forefront a consciousness about empowering individuals with disabilities through reasonable accommodations in workplaces, schools, government buildings, public transportation, and places of commerce throughout our country. In short, the ADA was a game-changer; no longer would those with physical or intellectual disabilities be effectively barred from the full measure of our American Dream.

Even more than eliminating physical barriers to access, by enabling competitive participation in the workforce and greater access to public spaces, the ADA began to change the stigma that accompanied being a person with a disability. In this way the law has allowed so many to live their lives with the dignity and pride they and previous generations had not been afforded.

The law’s reach spans generations and populations and provides tools to seniors to help continue to live in their communities with a greater degree of independence. It gives countless children and young adults with disabilities hope that their dreams of college and careers will not have to be set aside, as was once the norm. The ADA has also helped America fulfill its responsibility to returning service men and women who bring with them the physical and mental scars of war, sustained in defense of our freedom and way of life. The ADA has helped us better provide for veterans with disabilities who served in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting them as they reenter the civilian workforce and become active members of their communities.

While it has had an immeasurable impact in our country, the ADA has also helped transform the lives of people with disabilities around the world. The first piece of national legislation of its kind, the ADA has now set a global standard. In the years following its enactment, the ADA inspiredsimilar laws in countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, Chile, Italy and Australia.

We are proud of what the ADA has accomplished over the past 25 years. That this law was enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate is critical: safeguarding the rights of Americans with disabilities is a principle that operates beyond the bounds of party or ideology. It is fundamental to the American character that we strive to provide everyone with the chance to achieve his or her full potential.

In marking this anniversary, we reflect on how much positive change has taken place – yet we must also recognize that there is far more work to be done. It is our hope that Republicans and Democrats will continue working together in a bipartisan way to protect the civil rights already in place, remove remaining barriers to access, and make it possible for more Americans with disabilities to live independently and to pursue all the opportunities that make the American Dream possible.