Celebrate 35 Years of the ADA!

Providing support to persons with disabilities throughout their lifespan so they can achieve their highest level of independence in their community.

35th Anniversary of the ADA

July 26th, 2025

Commemorating the ADA’s 35th Anniversary:

A Milestone in Disability Rights

Today marks the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—a landmark civil rights law that transformed the landscape of accessibility, inclusion, and opportunity for millions of Americans with disabilities.

Signed into law on July 26, 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal access to employment, education, transportation, public spaces, and more. It was a monumental step forward in affirming the rights and dignity of people with disabilities of all ages and backgrounds.

At DAWN Center for Independent Living, we honor this milestone not just as a moment in history, but as a living commitment to advocacy, independence, and community. The ADA opened doors—but the work continues. We celebrate the progress made, recognize the challenges that remain, and recommit ourselves to building a world where everyone can thrive.

How You Can Celebrate:

Learn about the ADA and its impact
Share your story or the story of someone whose life was changed by the ADA
Advocate for continued accessibility and inclusion in your community

Together, we move forward—toward a future of full participation, equal opportunity, and respect for all.

Happy ADA Anniversary!

Click to Watch!

Watch This Powerful Story: The Americans with Disabilities Act: Change, Not Charity

As we celebrate the anniversary of the ADA, we invite you to watch the compelling PBS documentary: The Americans with Disabilities Act: Change, Not Charity. This film offers a powerful look at the grassroots activism, personal courage, and political struggle that led to the passage of the ADA in 1990.

Through firsthand accounts and historical footage, the documentary reminds us that the ADA was not a gift—it was a hard-won victory by people with disabilities demanding equal rights and full participation in society.

Whether you're new to the ADA or have lived its impact, this film is a moving tribute to the disability rights movement and a call to continue the work of inclusion and justice.

Honoring Judith Heumann:

A Legacy of Courage, Advocacy, and Change

As we celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we also honor the life and legacy of Judith “Judy” Heumann—a pioneering activist whose relentless advocacy helped shape the disability rights movement in the United States and around the world.

Often called the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” Heumann’s journey began with personal battles against discrimination. After contracting polio at 18 months old, she was denied access to public education and labeled a “fire hazard” because she used a wheelchair. These early injustices fueled a lifelong mission to fight for inclusion, accessibility, and dignity for all disabled people

A Voice for Justice

In her TED Talk, “Our Fight for Disability Rights—and Why We’re Not Done Yet,” Heumann shares her powerful story of resistance and resilience. She recounts how she:

Challenged the NYC Board of Education after being denied a teaching license due to her disability—and won, becoming the first wheelchair-using teacher in New York City.
Led the historic Section 504 sit-in in 1977, where disabled activists occupied a federal building for nearly a month, demanding enforcement of civil rights protections under the Rehabilitation Act.
Helped shape landmark legislation, including the ADA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Heumann emphasized that disability is a natural part of human diversity, not a tragedy. She urged society to dismantle barriers—physical, social, and attitudinal—that prevent disabled people from fully participating in life.

Global Impact and Continued Advocacy

Beyond U.S. borders, Heumann worked with the World Bank, the Clinton and Obama administrations, and international NGOs to mainstream disability rights into global development. Her work helped millions gain access to education, employment, and public life.

In her TED Talk, Heumann reminds us that the fight is far from over. She calls on all of us to recognize disability rights as human rights and to stand in solidarity with disabled communities to ensure equity and justice.

“Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives—job opportunities or barrier-free buildings, for example.” — Judith Heumann

Judy Heumann’s life was a testament to the power of activism, community, and hope. Her voice may be gone, but her message lives on—in every ramp built, every policy changed, and every life empowered.

Listen to Judy's Ted Talk here.

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