30th anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act being observed today

USDeptOfState; #ADA2020; #EqualRights; #Americans

US Dept of States, Jul 26 (Canadian-Media): The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990,  one of America's most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination, and guarantees accessibility of the same opportunities to people with disabilities like everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life, media reports said. 

ADA. Image credit: Twitter handle

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 -- the ADA is an "equal opportunity" law for people with disabilities.

Now Americans with disabilities can implement the right to access the same schools, hospitals, jobs, transportation, stores, and recreational facilities as their non-disabled families and friends.

Inspired by the ADA, advocates across the globe, worked to enact disability rights laws in their countries. 

In a statement issued by Michael R. Pompeo, US Secretary of State, he said,

Michael R. Pompeo. Image credit: Official

"As we strive to create a more perfect union, we embrace diversity and inclusion and reap the benefits of our diverse citizenry.  As a democracy committed to the rule of law, we continue to use the ADA to dismantle unjust barriers faced by persons with disabilities.

"We know from our thirty years of experience with the ADA that responses to issues of access and inclusion must be driven by the innovation and leadership of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations.  

"Building on the progress achieved over the last thirty years, we recommit to promote the rights of persons with disabilities as we address current challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, which requires disability-inclusive responses locally, nationally, and globally.  From the current crisis emerges an opportunity to work together to create an accessible and inclusive future for all."