Equal Access for All – Celebrating 30 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark civil rights law opened the doors of opportunity for people with disabilities and increased our awareness of the enormous contributions that Americans with disabilities can make to our society.
According to the U.S. Census, nearly 41 million Americans live with disabilities. In Cuyahoga County, 15% percent, or 186,133 residents, are living with a disability. By the year 2030, it is estimated that 71.5 million baby boomers will be over age 65 and will need services and surroundings that meet their age-related physical needs.
Like all Americans, people living with disabilities have the right to work, shop, recreate and participate in a host of activities. In the past, they often encountered barriers to participating in simple aspects of daily living. Activities many of us take for granted - like crossing a street, enjoying a performance, visiting a library, or communicating on a phone - were not possible for those living with disabilities.
Since its passage on July 26, 1990, the ADA has helped make workplaces, public transportation, facilities, and telecommunications more inclusive. As a result, millions of Americans with disabilities can now contribute to our society as volunteers, consumers, and working citizens.
Striking changes have occurred over the past 30 years, creating accessibility in many areas of living for those with disabilities. Revolutionary examples include closed captioning on television programming; access buttons for doors to public facilities; braille signage; ramps and open seating areas in auditoriums; telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDDs); and graded crosswalks.
With barriers disappearing, more insightful accommodations have followed, as advances in assistive technology prove that many disabilities can be overcome through thoughtful design. Amazing breakthroughs happening today include driverless cars; eye-tracking keyboards, robotic limbs; GPS-enabled walking devices; smart home technology; and eye and ear implants.
As more individuals with disabilities employ these exciting accommodations, they can live increasingly fulfilling and independent lives. They can also tap into the resources available through organizations like the County’s Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS), which offers services and support for residents 18 and over living with disabilities. Transportation, meal delivery, personal care, home health care, household accommodations and emergency response devices are some cost-effective options available through DSAS.
In honor of the ADA’s 30th anniversary, DSAS is partnering with the ADA Cleveland Coalition in sponsoring “30 Days of Virtual Call for Access,” with daily activities focused on weekly themes of “Celebrate,” “Lead,” “Engage,” and a “Call to Action.”
This celebration will offer educational workshops, artistic performances, engagement, and advocacy opportunities to celebrate and recognize the intellect, talents, abilities, and potential of individuals with disabilities.
To learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit the Department of Justice's website. To learn more about programs and services for independent living, visit the Division of Senior and Adult Services website. For additional local resources for people living with disabilities, visit the ADA Cleveland website.
40.6 million
In 2018, the total number of U. S. citizens with a disability was 40.6 million -- or 12.6 percent.
19.1%
At 19.1 percent, West Virginia had the highest percentage of individuals with a disability in 2018. Utah, at 9.6 percent, had the lowest rate.
7.6 million
The total U. S. civilian population ages 18 to 64 employed with a disability in 2018.
$23,848
Median earnings in the past 12 months (in 2018 inflation adjusted dollars) of the U.S. population age 16 and over with earnings and a disability in 2018.
Source: 2018 American Community Survey, U. S. Census
According to the U.S. Census, nearly 41 million Americans live with disabilities. In Cuyahoga County, 15% percent, or 186,133 residents, are living with a disability. By the year 2030, it is estimated that 71.5 million baby boomers will be over age 65 and will need services and surroundings that meet their age-related physical needs.
Like all Americans, people living with disabilities have the right to work, shop, recreate and participate in a host of activities. In the past, they often encountered barriers to participating in simple aspects of daily living. Activities many of us take for granted - like crossing a street, enjoying a performance, visiting a library, or communicating on a phone - were not possible for those living with disabilities.
Since its passage on July 26, 1990, the ADA has helped make workplaces, public transportation, facilities, and telecommunications more inclusive. As a result, millions of Americans with disabilities can now contribute to our society as volunteers, consumers, and working citizens.
Striking changes have occurred over the past 30 years, creating accessibility in many areas of living for those with disabilities. Revolutionary examples include closed captioning on television programming; access buttons for doors to public facilities; braille signage; ramps and open seating areas in auditoriums; telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDDs); and graded crosswalks.
With barriers disappearing, more insightful accommodations have followed, as advances in assistive technology prove that many disabilities can be overcome through thoughtful design. Amazing breakthroughs happening today include driverless cars; eye-tracking keyboards, robotic limbs; GPS-enabled walking devices; smart home technology; and eye and ear implants.
As more individuals with disabilities employ these exciting accommodations, they can live increasingly fulfilling and independent lives. They can also tap into the resources available through organizations like the County’s Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS), which offers services and support for residents 18 and over living with disabilities. Transportation, meal delivery, personal care, home health care, household accommodations and emergency response devices are some cost-effective options available through DSAS.
In honor of the ADA’s 30th anniversary, DSAS is partnering with the ADA Cleveland Coalition in sponsoring “30 Days of Virtual Call for Access,” with daily activities focused on weekly themes of “Celebrate,” “Lead,” “Engage,” and a “Call to Action.”
This celebration will offer educational workshops, artistic performances, engagement, and advocacy opportunities to celebrate and recognize the intellect, talents, abilities, and potential of individuals with disabilities.
To learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit the Department of Justice's website. To learn more about programs and services for independent living, visit the Division of Senior and Adult Services website. For additional local resources for people living with disabilities, visit the ADA Cleveland website.
By the Numbers
40.6 million
In 2018, the total number of U. S. citizens with a disability was 40.6 million -- or 12.6 percent.
19.1%
At 19.1 percent, West Virginia had the highest percentage of individuals with a disability in 2018. Utah, at 9.6 percent, had the lowest rate.
7.6 million
The total U. S. civilian population ages 18 to 64 employed with a disability in 2018.
$23,848
Median earnings in the past 12 months (in 2018 inflation adjusted dollars) of the U.S. population age 16 and over with earnings and a disability in 2018.
Source: 2018 American Community Survey, U. S. Census