The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. The ADA was the world's first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities. It was a collaborative effort of Democrats, Republicans, the legislative and the executive branches, federal and state agencies, and people with and without disabilities.
The ADA Anniversary is a time that we can reflect positively on a law that has made a great impact on the lives of people with disabilities and our country over the past 25 years.
Milwaukee Public Library is proud to present Celebrate 25 years of ADA, a display developed by IndependenceFirst, which will be on view at the following MPL library locations:
Central Library: July 1 - August 28, 2015
(Located in the 2nd floor side corridor that leads to the Art, Music & Recreation Room)
Washington Park Library: September 2015
Atkinson Library: October 2015
This display celebrates the milestones and accomplishments of the disability rights movement, and shares information on the important part assistive technology plays in the lives of people with and without disabilities.
To learn more about ADA 25th Anniversary events happening in Milwaukee this summer, see Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the ADA in 2015, from IndependenceFirst.
Further Reading:
Introduction to the ADA, from ADA.gov (a website of the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division)
An Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act, from the ADA National Network
Enabling Acts: The Hidden Story of How the Americans with Disabilities Act Gave the Largest US Minority Its Rights
by Lennard J. Davis
Random House
2015
"The first significant book on the history and impact of the ADA--the "eyes on the prize" moment for disability rights The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the widest-ranging piece of civil rights legislation ever passed in the history of theUnited States, and it has become the model for most civil rights laws around the world. The untold story behind the act is anything but a dry account of bills and speeches, however. Rather, it's a fascinating story of how a group of leftist Berkeley hippies managed to make an alliance with upper-crust, conservative Republicans to bring about a truly bipartisan bill. In this riveting account, acclaimed disability scholar Lennard J. Davis tells the behind-the-scenes and on-the-ground story of a too-often ignored or forgotten civil rights fight, while illustrating the successes and shortcomings of the ADA in areas ranging from employment, education, and transportation to shifting social attitudes. Published for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the ADA, thisbook promises to powerfully ignite readers in a discussion of disability rights in America"-- Provided by publisher.
Additional book recommendations/lists:
Recommended Books About the Disability Experience, from The National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities
Popular Disability Books, on Goodreads
Children's Books About Disabilities, from TeacherVision.com
The Top 10 Books About Disability, selected by novelist Paul Wilson for theguardian.com (July 3, 2013)
10 Books to Celebrate the 23rd Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, selected by Ron Charles for Washingtonpost.com (July 25, 2013)
Children’s Books Honored For Disability Storylines, article by Michelle Diament at Disabilityscoop.com (February 5, 2015)