Americans With Disabilities Act Turns 20
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July 26, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 20 years ago today. At the time, critics said implementing the law would be too costly and disruptive to American life.
Metro Nashville ADA Compliance Division manager Jerry Hall disagrees. He says the law has greatly enhanced the independence of people with disabilities. Almost everywhere you look, he points out, the ADA has influenced building codes and everyday routines.
"ADA in my opinion is a fantastic civil rights law. One of the benefits of my job is that I get to meet people in the disability community, and I get to see how it affects their lives on a daily basis. It's very positive."
Hall says engineers and architects have created wheelchair ramps and other accessibility devices that have added to America's cityscapes.
"We actually have great partnerships with a lot of architects and engineers. They've come up with some innovative ways to make things more accessible, and I've been very grateful for that."
Hall says companies and services that provide accessibility know that it makes good business sense.
"We always talk about the fact that everybody's money is green and it all spends the same, but you want to provide that basic service to the person."
While many consider the groundbreaking legislation a milestone in helping people with disabilities better integrate into society, a recent survey by the Kessler Foundation/National Organization on Disability finds people with disabilities still lagging behind in employment, access to quality health care and socializing.