The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) give civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities, similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. July 26, 2020 will mark the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. 

Under the ADAAA, disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment. The ADAAA prohibits discrimination in all areas of public life, including transportation, public spaces, employment, government programs and services, telecommunications, and businesses (including private businesses open to the public).

Protection under these federal laws is divided into a three-pronged area of coverage. It includes protections for an individual:

1. Currently experiencing disability.
2. With a record of disability that substantially limits a major life activity.
3. Regarded as having a disability but whose disability does not substantially limit a major life activity.

The ADA National Network, which provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is celebrating the act’s 30th anniversary with programs and events throughout the year and on its actual anniversary, July 26, 2020. To learn more about the ADA 2020 anniversary event, visit the adaanniversary website. 

ADA Anniversary Monthly Themes—2020

The ADA National Network has chosen the following monthly themes for educational programs and celebratory events:

• January: Transportation & Telecommunications Access
• February: Voting Access
• March Brain Injury Awareness
• April: Traveling the World—Individuals with Disabilities
• May: Recreation—disAbilities at Play
• June: Countdown to ADA Anniversary
• July: Celebrate the ADA Anniversary
• August: Back-to-School Access
• September: Emergency Preparedness and Management
• October: Employment and Public Accommodations
• November: Veterans
• December: Moving Forward and Sharing Stories

ADA Information and Educational Resources

• http://www.adasoutheast.org/.  Comprehensive information and updates about the ADA.
• https://www.ada.gov/index.html.  The ADA’s main website.
• http://www.adalawproject.org/summary-of-the-adaaa.  A plain-language summary of the amendment legislation.
• https://askjan.org.  Accommodation resources for employers, employees, and job seekers.
• https://adata.org/national-product-search.  Fact sheets by topic.
• https://adata.org/faq-search.  FAQ search.
• https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/people.html.  Health information. 
• http://www.apta.org/ADA/.  A resource page for physical therapists.
• https://www.ada.gov/medcare_mobility_ta/medcare_ta.pdf/. Very relevant to PTs in the clinic.
• https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/disability_main. Modifications for people with disabilities.

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