This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the “ADA”). This was the first comprehensive law to protect the civil rights of Americans with Disabilities.
We are now used to seeing wheelchair ramps, handicapped parking spaces and telephone or ATM options for people with disabilities. But, 25 years ago, these everyday items were not common.
The ADA has made much progress, but like any change in civil rights law, it was met with some resistance, as well as some confusion. Decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, other state and federal courts, and administrative agencies, have helped shape the law into what it is today. Congress also acted to amend and clarify the law and those changes and clarifications went into effect in 2009.
Here are some agencies and groups relating to the rights of people with disabilities:
In Texas:
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Disability Rights Texas
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
And here is a Federal resource page for disability rights and laws: Disability Resources from the U.S. Department of Labor
