This year, 2020, marks the 30th anniversary of the ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act. Without the ADA, our lives and communities would look much different. The ADA is one of the most important civil rights laws in the United States for people with disabilities. It helps make sure we can take part in daily life more fully and with more freedom.
To celebrate the ADA’s 30th anniversary, we created this series of videos that explains what the ADA is all about. These videos are a simple way to learn about the law and the different places it applies. They also help show why the ADA still matters every day, in places like work, schools, stores, government buildings, and online services.
ADA 30 Intro
The ADA was signed into law in 1990. Its purpose is to stop disability discrimination and remove barriers. That can mean physical barriers, like steps without a ramp, and also other barriers, like rules or practices that keep people from taking part.
For many people, the ADA is the reason they can get into a building, use a public service, ask for a job accommodation, or get equal treatment at a business. It does not solve every problem, but it gives us a strong tool to ask for access and fairness.
The ADA also reminds communities that access is not extra. Access is part of being open to everyone. When places are easier to use for people with disabilities, they are often easier to use for many other people too.
ADA Title I
Title I of the ADA covers employment. It applies to jobs, hiring, promotions, training, and other parts of work. It helps protect qualified workers and job seekers with disabilities from unfair treatment.
This part of the law can matter in many ways. It may help a person ask for a reasonable accommodation, such as a different work schedule, a quieter space, or another change that helps them do the job. It also means an employer should not turn someone away just because they have a disability if they can do the essential parts of the job with or without reasonable changes.
If you are looking for work, it can help to think ahead about what support you may need. It is also wise to keep notes about interviews, requests, and answers from the employer. Clear records can help if questions come up later.
ADA Title II
Title II of the ADA covers state and local government services. This includes county offices, city offices, courts, parks, public schools, and other government programs. People with disabilities must have equal access to these services.
That can mean accessible buildings, but it can also mean communication access. For example, a person may need a sign language interpreter, large print, or another way to get information. It can also mean forms, websites, and meetings need to be usable for everyone.
When people can take part in public meetings, use transportation, and reach government services, they can better speak up for themselves and their communities. Access to government is part of full citizenship.
ADA Title III
Title III of the ADA covers public places and businesses that are open to the public. This includes many stores, restaurants, hotels, theaters, doctors’ offices, and other places people use every day.
This title helps make sure people with disabilities are welcomed as customers and guests. It may involve ramps, accessible restrooms, wide doorways, or other changes that help people enter and move around. It also includes rules about how a business serves people. Staff should not make assumptions or treat someone poorly because of a disability.
For example, a store should not refuse service to a customer because they use a wheelchair. A restaurant should think about how a person can get to a table. Small changes can make a big difference in whether someone feels included and respected.
ADA Title IV
Title IV of the ADA covers telephone and internet relay services. This part of the law helps people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities use the phone system.
Communication is a basic part of daily life. People need to make appointments, call family, reach businesses, and handle emergencies. Relay services help make that possible. The ADA recognizes that everyone should have a fair way to communicate.
As more daily tasks depend on phones and computers, good communication access becomes even more important. People should not be left out because a system was built for only one kind of user.
ADA Title V
Title V of the ADA includes different rules and protections tied to the law. It helps explain how the ADA works and how it is enforced. It also includes protection against retaliation for people who use their rights under the law.
In simple terms, this means a person should not be punished for asking for access, filing a complaint, or standing up for their rights. That protection matters. People need to feel safe using the law if they are going to speak up when something is wrong.
The ADA is not just about buildings or paperwork. It is about dignity. It is about being able to live, work, learn, and join in community life without needless barriers.
Why the ADA Still Matters
Thirty years later, the ADA still matters because barriers still exist. Some are easy to see, like stairs without an option for someone who cannot use stairs. Some are harder to see, like a policy that does not work for a person with a disability or a form that is hard to read.
The law gives people a place to start when they need change. It also gives communities a guide for how to be more open and fair. The ADA has helped many people do more on their own, and that is at the heart of independent living.
Here are a few practical tips if you think the ADA may apply to you:
- Be clear about the barrier you are facing.
- Ask for the change or help you need.
- Write down dates, names, and what was said.
- Keep copies of emails, letters, and forms.
- Give the other person a chance to respond.
If you are not sure where to start, asking for information can be a good first step. You do not have to figure it out alone. Disability Network Lakeshore can help. Our services are free, and we help people learn about disability resources, rights, and options. You can call us at (616) 396-5326.
How DNL Can Help
As a Center for Independent Living, Disability Network Lakeshore helps people with disabilities in Ottawa and Allegan counties. We work with people, families, and the community to make life less complicated by disability.
Our services include advocacy, information and referral, peer support, skills development, and transition support. We also help with assistance animals, emergency readiness, Social Security disability, social participation, veterans, employment, nursing home transition, and youth services.
If you have a question about an access problem, a benefit, or a service, we may be able to point you in the right direction. Sometimes a simple conversation can help you understand your next step. Sometimes it helps to have someone listen and think through choices with you.
You can reach us at 442 Century Lane, Holland, MI 49423. Our phone number is (616) 396-5326. Office hours are 8am–4:30pm, Monday through Friday.
As we celebrate 30 years of the ADA, we also look ahead. The goal is still the same: a community where people with disabilities have the same chance to take part, contribute, and belong.