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Disability History: An Important Part of America's Heritage
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990. As a result of this landmark legislation, communities and workplaces across the nation have become more inclusive and welcoming for America’s nearly 40 million people with disabilities.
Despite the ADA’s importance, however, many Americans are unfamiliar with the events that led to its passage. Inspired by the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s and the feminist movement of the 1970s, disability leaders joined forces and took action, holding sit-ins in Federal buildings, blocking inaccessible buses from moving, drafting legislation, and protesting in the streets. And like the broader movements that preceded it, the disability rights movement had its own heroes and champions: Ed Roberts, Gini Laurie and Justin Dart to name just a few.
Disability History Week in New York State
In New York State, representatives from People Inc. and the Museum of disABILITY History worked with Assemblymember Mark Schroeder of Buffalo in proposing legislation establishing the third week in October as Disability History Week. Assembly member Schroeder’s resolution was passed in the New York State Assembly. Senator Joe Robach of Rochester sponsored the legislation in the NYS Senate where it passed on June 19, 2007.
As part of the New York State Assembly’s Disability Awareness Day, a resolution commemorating New York State Disability History Week was passed in June 2008, earmarking the third week in October as Disability History Week.
For information on the Disability History Week legislative initiatives underway on a national level, please visit the new Disability History Week website at disabilityhistoryweek.org
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Contact
For additional information, please contact:
Office of Disability Support Services
University Center Room 310
Adelphi University
P.O. Box 701
Garden City, NY 11530-0701
p - 516.877.3145
f - 516.877.3139
e - dss@adelphi.edu
tty - 516.877.3138
This page was last modified on September 28, 2010.
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