Celebrating 35 years of Americans with Disabilities Act

This week we celebrate 35 years of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which includes employment, accessible buildings,school support for disabled and more.

Signed by President George H.W. Bush on the south lawn of the White House on July 26, 1990, a packed house of our courageous, disabled citizens and advocates were there for this important legislation. Many disabled people crawled up the stairs of the White House to demonstrate their hardships and advocate for access as a civil right. Sen. Tom Harkin delivered his speech in American Sign Language (the only time a senator used sign language) upon the bill’s passage.

As we move forward in 2025, 35 years after the signing of this bill, ongoing advocacy is important to support the disabled as more than 70% of people over 40 are estimated to have aging needs. Currently, many bills are being addressed at the State House, to support the disabled/elders, including but not limited to: sign language training, affordable housing, accessible housing (grab bars in the bathroom etc.), wheelchair repair bill aswarranties are needed, increasing personal needs allowance for people in nursing homes as the allocation is not high enough for all personal items.

Other concerns include accessible accomodations at voting locations, such large print ballots, more home care staff, increased pay for home care staff, accessible ramps and railings on buildings etc.

Despite federal budget cuts in Medicaid and social service programs, rest assured we continue making strides as many advocates are fighting to support your needs past and present, but all our support is needed for our neighbors, elders, children, family members, disabled citizens and ourselves.

Phone calls to your legislators to express your concerns is necessary. If you have a hardship getting into any town building, call your town administrator.

Betty Tegel, disability rights advocate

Montague