Honoring the Americans with Disabilities Act – 30th Anniversary!
President George H.W. Bush, on July 26, 1990, signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the most sweeping piece of civil rights legislation ever enacted for people with disabilities. Banning discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, places of public accommodation, public services, transportation and telecommunications, the ADA ushered in a new era of opportunity for individuals with disabilities by formalizing equity and inclusiveness as federal standards.
Great Reads!
Great Events!
Disability History Virtual Tour at the Smithsonian
Thursday, July 23, 2020, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EST
The U.S. Department of Defense’s Diversity Management Operations Center, Disability Programs Directorate, a partner in ODEP’s Workforce Recruitment Program, will host a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Institution’s disability history collection. During this celebration, Smithsonian historian Dr. Katherine Ott will show the National Museum of American History’s disability exhibit.
Register for the event and request accommodations by emailing dodhra.dmoc-dpd@mail.mil.
A Discussion on Youth Employment from the ADA Generation
Friday, July 24, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
The young people with disabilities who came of age after the passage of this landmark legislation are often called the “ADA Generation.” During this webinar hosted by EARN, members of the ADA Generation will participate in a panel discussion about their workplace experiences and offer ideas for best practices employers can use to attract young people with disabilities.
Panelists will address topics such as policies and programs of particular interest to younger workers with disabilities, including internship, apprenticeship, and mentorship opportunities, and how to ensure these programs are accessible for everyone. They will also touch on how young people with disabilities view disability disclosure and self-identification. A representative from the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire will also discuss key findings of the new Kessler Foundation survey on Experiences of the “ADA Generation” in the Workplace.
For a full list of events, see the ADA Anniversary Event page from the ADA National Network.
How will you celebrate?