ADA 35
To celebrate the ADA’s 35th anniversary, and in line with the national theme of Disability Justice, the library is highlighting the achievements of the ADA through informational programs and services in effort to celebrate its accomplishments and bring awareness to the work still left undone.
An important civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public places and private places that are open to the general public. It became federal law July 26, 1990, and intends to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
Check out our upcoming and past events below, along with additional information and resources.
Have Questions?
Amy Holcomb, Learning Experiences Manager
Upcoming Events
Low Vision Support Group
Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 1:30 pm
Learn about current research, assistive devices, and community resources for people who have been diagnosed with an eye condition or have a family member who has vision impairment.
Braille 101: Reading by Feel
Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 6:00 pm
Braille is a system of raised dots used by people who are blind or have low vision to read with their fingers.
Braille 101: Reading by Feel
Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 7:30 pm
Braille is a system of raised dots used by people who are blind or have low vision to read with their fingers.
Early Entry: An Accessibility Hour
Sunday, January 19, 2025, 11:00 am
Families and individuals with sensory sensitivities or disabilities are invited to explore the Kids Room and Teen Room before the library opens to the public.
Low Vision Support Group
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 1:30 pm
Learn about current research, assistive devices, and community resources for people who have been diagnosed with an eye condition or have a family member who has vision impairment.
Early Entry: An Accessibility Hour
Sunday, February 16, 2025, 11:00 am
Families and individuals with sensory sensitivities or disabilities are invited to explore the Kids Room and Teen Room before the library opens to the public.
Past Events
Friend Squad
Wednesday, January 8, 2025, 6:00 pm
Meet new people in a supportive environment and watch your circle of friends grow.
Learn More
For a quick overview of the ADA, watch this video. Visit ADA.gov for an introduction to the law itself. Be sure to find out about accessibility services at the library on our Accessibility page.
Read
Our expert staff have curated lists connected to disability justice:
Further reading:
- Short fact sheet on the main aspects and sections of the ADA legislation from the ADA National network
- Article by Robert L. Burgdorf Jr., a disabled person and a key figure in the drafting and enactment of the ADA
- Profiles and personal stories of disabled people reflecting on the ADA’s impact
Listen
- ADA Live! is an ongoing podcast from the Southeast ADA Center in Lexington, KY. We recommend the episodes on making government programs and services accessible, and improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
- Civics 101 is a podcast about how the government works. This episode from 2018 features an author and Disability Studies specialist to discuss some of the aspects of the ADA and its implementation.
- NPR’s Throughline Podcast: A.D.A Now! from 2020 presents personal stories of the ‘hidden’ aspects of American history and how the ADA affected real people.
Watch
- President George H.W. Bush announces the signing of the ADA at the National Archives on July 26, 1990.
- PBS North Carolina presents: the Gang of 18 - ADA Movement details how 19 wheelchair users blocked city buses that were inaccessible and helped inspire the movement towards the ADA.
- Crip Camp: Disability Revolution is an Oscar-nominated full-length documentary available on Netflix's official YouTube channel, featuring the stories of a group of teens from a summer camp in the 1970s who became activists in the disability rights movement.