By Yolanda Webb, Director
Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services
Thirty-two years ago, our country led the way in recognizing the need to be more inclusive, fair and just to individuals with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was our nation’s commitment to prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has played a critical role in enforcing the ADA over the years. Our own CDHS Civil Rights Division has, and continues to play, an important role in overseeing the enforcement of this transformational legislation. The ADA has meant full participation, independent living, integration and economic self-sufficiency for those with disabilities.
In honor of the 32nd anniversary of the ADA, CDHS recognizes that we are still opening doors to that full participation, and ensuring opportunity for people with disabilities, those who work alongside us and those we serve.
ADA recognizes millions of Americans with a range of disabilities
The ADA wasn’t solely meant only for those with a visibly recognizable disability. As we know, any one of us can have a disability at any point in our lives. Disabilities, which can limit how we function, can be a physical or cognitive impairment. Today, we are understanding that those struggling with mental health concerns can also have a disability.
Did you know that one of every four adults in the United States has some type of disability? And many more will experience some type of disability over their lifetime.
Today as we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the ADA, we recognize the many ways that life has changed over the years for those with disabilities. From the closing of long-standing institutions to inclusion in many of our workplaces today, the ADA paved the way for the diversity, equity, inclusion and access (belonging) we are hearing so much about today.
The ADA was much more than a positive difference in the lives of those who have disabilities. It made good business, economic and moral sense. By providing better access to buildings, transportation, education and employment, the ADA created opportunities for individuals with disabilities to live, work, play and contribute to their communities.
Building on the ADA through access and allyship
And while we have come a long way and need to celebrate today the many advances in inclusion, equity, diversity and access, challenges remain. One area that needs improvement is access to healthcare providers who work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The struggle to find providers is real. Acceptance in neighborhoods and communities is yet another point of access we struggle with — yes, we still fight against the “not in my backyard” discrimination when individuals with disabilities move into neighborhoods.
The ADA was and is a federal policy change for good. It has forced us to see the world through the lens of those with disabilities and informed how we can achieve full participation for every member in our society. But we cannot rest on the laurels of federal law. We must continue to fight for the rights of persons with disabilities to have full participation in the communities where they live, work and play. The ADA is just the beginning in ensuring that.
The Colorado Department of Human Services' Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services fosters independence to Coloradans through access to seamless and responsive personalized service. The office focuses on services and programs benefiting older adults, people with disabilities, and veterans and veterans’ spouses requiring skilled nursing and domiciliary care.