"A Day in the Life of the ADA"

Senator Tom Harkin, writes:

July 26, 2000 will mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As those of us who worked so hard for the ADA predicted, the Act has taken its place among the great civil rights laws in our history.

On July 26, 1990, we as a country committed ourselves to the principle that disability in no way diminishes a person's right to participate in the cultural, economic, educational, political, and social mainstream. By eliminating barriers everywhere from education to health care policy, neighborhood streets to public transportation, from workplaces to shopping malls, and from courthouses to Congress, the ADA has opened up new worlds to people with disabilities. People with disabilities are participating more and more in their communities and living fuller lives as students, co-workers, taxpayers, consumers, voters and neighbors.

As part of the anniversary celebration, I am announcing the "A Day in the Life of the ADA" Campaign. I would like people across the country to send me stories about how their lives are different because of the ADA. We will use the stories to celebrate our accomplishments and to learn more about what we still must do to give all Americans an equal opportunity to live out their dream of independence.

The Campaign will create a historical record of the profound impact the ADA has had on the daily lives of people with disabilities, their families and friends, and every American. I encourage everyone to share their stories about how the ADA has improved their lives. For example, I would like stories about:

How the ADA has eliminated segregation in education, health care, or the workplace.

How the ADA has increased the accessibility of schools, colleges, government and the workplace for people with disabilities.

How the ADA has made it possible for people with and without disabilities to enjoy the smaller things that many of us take for granted: going out to a birthday dinner as a family, to a movie or museum with friends, or just going shopping for groceries.

How the ADA has improved their lives in any other way.

I will tell these success stories on the floor of Congress. I will share them with other Members of Congress, policymakers and the public to show how the ADA has benefitted people with disabilities and all Americans and why it is such an important law.

So, I ask everyone to help me to build the record of the ADA's success by sending your stories by July 15, either by e-mail or regular mail, to: A Day in the Life of the ADA c/o Senator Tom Harkin, 731 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510

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