35 Years of the ADA: Opening Doors and Shaping Tomorrow Today
If you’ve landed on this blog, I hope your July has been filled with meaningful reminders that this month marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Whether you’ve seen social media posts or attended community events, this milestone celebrates the doors the ADA opened for all Americans—not just those living with disabilities.
But let’s remember, doors are meant to be walked through—they mark the beginning of a continued journey, not the end.
Recently, during a dynamic, interactive presentation for ABLE NH’s Mental Health Task Force and Connections All Ways’ Revive and Thrive Virtual Education Series, Emmanuel Jenkins of We Stand 4 Something shared a powerful statement:
“Ask for what you need, demand what you deserve.”
As I watched participants quickly jot this down, I found myself filled with gratitude and reflection.
Standing on the Shoulders of Champions
The leaders and champions of the disability rights movement set the foundation for what we advocate for today. Visionaries like Judy Heumann, Justin Dart, Bob Williams, and countless others paved the way, demonstrating the essential nature of the dignity of risk.
The “comfort zone” is not a zone of change. By demanding what they deserved—equality, access, inclusion, understanding, and respect—these leaders didn’t just remove barriers. They proved that accommodations for one group can remove obstacles for everyone.
Everyday Accommodations We All Use
As you go about your day, pause and look around. What accommodations are you benefiting from?
- When leaving the coffee shop, juggling drinks, snacks, and (in my case) children, do you use the automatic door button to make life easier and avoid a potential meltdown?
- When traveling, do you feel a wave of relief when your rolling suitcase glides over a curb cut—saving you from the dreaded twist, tip, and wrist strain of hopping the curb?
These simple examples—automatic doors and curb cuts—were designed with wheelchair users in mind. Yet they’ve transformed accessibility for everyone, you included.
Progress, Not Perfection
“Progress, not perfection” is a phrase I hear often. The ADA opened the door 35 years ago for monumental progress, but it’s up to us to ensure that progress continues—and that we hold ourselves to nothing less than the pursuit of perfection.
Last week, I had the privilege of presenting at the National Conference of Executives of The Arc’s Summer Leadership Institute in fabulous #NewOrleansLouisiana. Emmanuel Jenkins and I shared the importance of “Breaking Out of the Box, Shaping Tomorrow Today.” Our conversation with participants could not have been timelier.
As we advocate, we must remember the power we hold by modeling for others in all that we do. Through our actions, tone, body language, and interactions, others are watching and learning. True advocacy doesn’t happen only when we’re “on” or trying to send a message. It happens through consistent, authentic actions—every day.
Demand progress by living your values. Be authentic. Embrace your responsibility and power.
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