TOPEKA — Advocates for people with physical and developmental disabilities will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 26 at South Park in Lawrence.
The event will include speeches, live music, refreshments and door prizes. In case of rain, the activities will be moved to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church hall, 1200 Kentucky.
The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas was a strong champion of the legislation. Dole was disabled by injuries suffered in combat during World War II.
On March 28, 2000, Dole recounted to fellow senators his long interest in disabilities legislation, including his first speech on the Senate floor.
"April 14, 1969, was the 24th anniversary of the day I was wounded in Italy," Dole said. "My first floor speech was about challenges faced by disabled Americans. Those issues remained on my agenda throughout all the years I was here, and every year, on about April 14, depending on whether we were in or out of session, I made a statement on the Senate floor about the problems of the disabled."
Advocates for the disabled said ADA was a major milestone.
“Since passage of this law, millions of people with disabilities are more visible and vital to public life in the United States,” said Ray Pence, one of the Lawrence event’s organizers.
In Topeka, Mayor Bill Bunten will sign a commemorative proclamation during a 2 p.m. ceremony July 26 at the Topeka Independent Living Resource Center, 408 SW Jackson St Inc.
ADA prohibits employment discrimination due to a person’s disability and requires equal access to government and commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.
Both events are open to the public.
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