ADA 35: Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Each year on July 26 we celebrate the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In 2025, we observe this landmark law's 35th Anniversary. To honor this occasion and the activists who made the law possible, we've developed an ADA Timeline highlighting the significant events that led up to the law's signing and the important progress that has been made since then to present day. A downloadable commemorative booklet for printing is available at the end of this page.

The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and in all public and private places that are open to the public. The purpose of the ADA is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

The ADA has five sections:

Employment: The ADA guarantees that people with disabilities are able to apply for the same jobs as everyone else. It also says that people with disabilities should get the same pay for the same job. If a job offers benefits, like health insurance or retirement options, the ADA ensures that people with disabilities get the same benefits.

State and Local Government Activities:  The ADA says that people with disabilities must be treated fairly by state and local governments. People with disabilities should be able to use government programs that are accessible to all individuals. The ADA helps government agencies make programs and services that are accessible. State and local governments have to follow specific standards in new construction, or if they make changes to buildings. And governments also must communicate effectively with people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or have vision, or speech disabilities.

Public Transportation:  The ADA says that public transportation, such as buses, trains or taxis, must be accessible to everyone. That means, for example, people with wheelchairs should be able to ride on a bus just like people who are not in a wheelchair.

Public Accommodations:  Public accommodations relate to places such as hotels, stores, hospitals and daycare centers. The ADA says that these places cannot discriminate against people with disabilities by treating them unfairly. This part of the ADA also talks about rules for how old buildings need to be changed to make them more accessible and that new buildings need to be built accessible.

Telecommunications Relay Services: Telecommunications mean using the telephone. A telecommunications relay service, also known as “TRS” or “relay service,” is an operator-assisted service that allows people with hearing or speech disabilities to make calls using text-based devices or by using sign language with video devices. The ADA says that phone companies must help people with hearing and speech disabilities to make phone calls.

Any government messages on television also must have closed captioning, so that people can read what is being said.

Like and share OPWDD's social media posts about the ADA when you see them.

Share our 35th Anniversary Timeline with your networks to raise awareness about this landmark law that affects us all.

Share your own story about how the ADA has made your life or the life of a loved one better by joining OPWDD in participating in the National "Thanks to the ADA..." social media campaign sponsored by the ADA National Network.  You can share on your own social media channels or you can send your completed sentence or paragraph along with a picture or photo of your choosing to [email protected].

Disclaimer: By submitting your story, photo or video, you are granting permission for OPWDD to use any of your submissions uploaded to its various websites and social media platforms with the hashtag #ThanksToTheADA and tagged posts @NYSOPWDD. Please be advised that OPWDD will solely use these photographs for communications and marketing purposes only.

35 years of Access and Advocacy

To view the full timeline of events, visit Milestones in New York's Disability Rights Movement

• United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, ADA webpage.
   

• OPWDD's "Know Your Rights" Page

   

• OPWDD and Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc., Rights, Responsibilities and Advocacy Booklet