Cuomo Celebrates 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

 

Event at West Capitol Park in Albany
Honors Advocates from Across the State

Governor Andrew Cuomo today honored the 25^th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act – the world’s first comprehensive law guaranteeing equal rights to people with disabilities. Today, a public celebration was held at West Capitol Park in Albany, New York, where leading disability advocates hosted New Yorkers from all over the state featuring live music by the band Flame (whose members are all individuals with disabilities) and words of inspiration from people directly impacted by the historic legislation.

“Every day, millions of New York residents are able to live freely, sustain gainful employment, and pursue their dreams thanks to the protections and parity offered by the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Governor Cuomo said. “From ensuring accessible buildings to providing important support and services, the impact of this legislation cannot be underestimated. Together, we must ensure that New York extends our long history of innovation, equality, and inclusion for individuals and today we celebrate our continued dedication to the cause of equality for all.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was the world’s first comprehensive law guaranteeing equal rights to people with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination against them, and promoting accessibility to jobs, schools, transportation, communication and all public and private places that are open to the general public. Governor Cuomo has made New York a national leader on disability rights by promoting key policies and initiatives including the state’s comprehensive Olmstead Implementation Plan to serve individuals with disabilities in the most integrated settings, Executive Order 136 which established the New York Employment First Initiative to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and creation of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs which protects the safety and civil rights of New Yorkers.

The ADA was signed by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. Among its co-sponsors were both of New York’s United States Senators and 26 Members of the United States House of Representatives from New York. Since its passage, governments around the world have enacted laws guaranteeing rights and access to people with disabilities.

Acting Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner and Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council Chair Kerry A. Delaney said, “The passage of the ADA changed the way the world viewed people with disabilities and forever changed the lives of people with disabilities, providing them equal access to all areas of life, from employment to enjoyment. The state agency members of the Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council will continue to uphold and enforce the rights of New Yorkers with disabilities to access services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs and support people with disabilities’ right to advocate for equal rights and services.”

Jim Weisman, President and CEO of the United Spinal Association, and a key negotiator with members of Congress in drafting and supporting the passage of the ADA and who was present at its signing, said, “Prior to ADA nondiscrimination was passive. Refraining from treating people differently because of their race, gender, religion, etc., and treating everyone equally was all that was necessary to guarantee compliance and socially correct behavior. ADA made the failure to act – that is, to make reasonable accommodation – discriminatory and unlawful.”

Harvey Rosenthal, Executive Director of New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, said, “Today represents another defining moment for people with mental health conditions like me and millions of other New Yorkers and Americans across our country. Over the past 25 years, our community and our nation have come so far in affirming and extending our and the entire disability community’s full rights to dignity, respect, and a full life in our communities of choice. Yet, we have so far to go to address and end the discrimination, defamation, segregation, criminalization and the shame and fear that so many of us endure every day. We mark today how far we’ve come…let’s mark it as a day of commitment to redouble our efforts to make sure all of us truly get to enjoy full participation in the ‘great society’ in which we live!”

Since being enacted in 1990, the ADA has had a profound impact on the lives of many New Yorkers:

“Everything I do, all the places I go to, would not have happened without accessible transportation and the important changes the ADA made happen for all of us with a disability.” - Tony Philips

“I have a lot of support to accommodate my needs, made possible by the Americans with Disabilities Act. I feel the ADA betters people with mental illness by opening doors and providing valuable supports.” – Jessica W.

“I’ve used the ADA to advocate for employment, access sporting events at stadiums and arenas, for going to school and college and advocating in the community for accessibility for sidewalks, street lights, hotels and other facilities. For me the ADA has been one of the most important pieces of legislation next to the Civil Rights Act in the U.S. and around the world.” – Chester Finn

“Ramps at the Post Office have made it easier for me to go there. Designated handicapped parking spaces have made it easier for me to get into places- before, I had to walk ‘a mile.’ Curb cuts have made it easier and safer to use my walker.” - Robert Buchholz

“As a longtime New York State Commission for the Blind employee and a blind New Yorker myself, I experience the impact of the ADA daily. Professionally, the ADA has allowed employees to be considered equally with appropriate accommodations.” - Don Horn

“As a blind New Yorker myself, I can attest to specific changes as a result of the ADA that have made my life easier and given me greater freedom: ATM machines are accessible to me to use with headphones, eliminating the need for assistance from a sighted friend or bank employee; some plays, movies and television stations have audio descriptions; and museums offer access programs where art exhibits are described by an art educator. As a New York City resident, the use of curb cuts and pavement bumps on street corners and subway platforms identify platform edges and audible pedestrian signals make it safer for me to navigate independently.” - Barbara Campbell

The Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council, established by Chapter 551 of the Laws of 202, is responsible for ensuring that New Yorkers of all ages with physical, intellectual, developmental and mental disabilities receive care and services in the most integrated settings appropriate to their individual needs. Currently chaired by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, the Council now consists of representatives from multiple state agencies and nine appointed public representatives. In addition to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, the other NYS Agency Council Members are: Office of Mental Health, Department of Health, Office for the Aging, Education Department, Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Department of Transportation, the Office of Children and Family Services, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.

For more testimonials and more information about the ADA, visit https://www.ny.gov/Olmstead