20th Anniversary Of Enactment Of The Americans With Disabilities Act Of 1990

Floor Speech

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Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Senate Resolution 591 recognizing and honoring the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In 1990, congressional members from both sides of the aisle joined together to denounce disability-based discrimination and demand equal rights for the disabled through the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the 20 years since, this landmark law has stood as a proud marker of our Nation's collective belief that disabled Americans can and should be full participants in our Nation's civic, economic, and social life. That, as one national disability organization proclaims, ``It's ability, not disability that counts.''

The Americans with Disabilities Act has had profound effects on the lives of over 50 million disabled Americans from curb cuts to elevators, Braille displays to voice recognition technology, and voting assistance to expanded employment opportunities, to name just a few examples.

Because of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing are now guaranteed the same services that law enforcement provides to anyone else. Law enforcement agencies may not exclude hearing impaired Americans from their services and must make efforts to ensure that their personnel communicate effectively with people whose disability affects their hearing.

Thanks to this landmark law, buses are now equipped with reliable lifts for wheelchair access; drivers announce stops to inform the seeing-impaired of arrival; and paratransit services provide door-to-destination transportation. This increased mobility enables disabled Americans to hold jobs and pursue educational opportunities, to perform day-to-day errands independently, and to access medical and social services.

As one San Francisco resident said, ``We no longer have to rely on the kindness of strangers to shop for us or feel that we can only experience other cities through films, videos and books.''

The Americans with Disabilities Act has enabled disabled Americans to visit and enjoy the grounds of our Nation's cultural and historical treasures such as Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.

This important law has also improved the quality of life for Americans with impaired sight, by requiring stores and businesses across the country to accommodate the service animals that guide and assist them. And progress is being made to ensure that the Web sites and online stores that make up the world of e-commerce are accessible as well.

Let me offer yet another example: a veteran fireman like Dennis Bell does not have to quit his job when he loses his leg during a rescue attempt, because of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Instead, his employer must provide him with the opportunity to be reassigned. In Mr. Bell's case, he has been given an opportunity to work in a new division instructing children about fire safety.

And because of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a gifted man like Chris Lenart, who is unable to talk or walk, can pursue a successful career as a computer programmer and remain economically self-sufficient. Employers can no longer deny a job to a qualified applicant because of a disability.

At least 12 percent of Americans live with a disability, but each and every one of us benefits from the skills and talents of disabled Americans who can now contribute to our country's workforce and public life, and whose abilities are not lost for want of an opportunity to demonstrate them.

I believe that our country has become a stronger and fairer place over the past 20 years because of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As the 20th anniversary approaches, I am proud to reflect with my colleagues on the progress that has been made as a result of this law, as well as to acknowledge that there is more work still to be done.

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