Public Policy for the People: The ADA, Election Updates, and What’s Next

The ADA’s Promise: Progress Made, Challenges RemainThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law 36 years ago on July 26, 1990. It protects the civil rights of people with disabilities and helps make sure they have the same opportunities as everyone else.The ADA says that people with disabilities should be able to participate fully in their communities. This includes having access to public places and services, equal opportunities at work, accessible housing and transportation, and communication services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities. The law also protects people from discrimination based on disability. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is driven by its Five Year Strategic Plan goals to improve services and supports for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). The Council, charged with creating systems change for individuals with developmental disabilities and family members, will work through various advocacy and capacity building activities to build a more interdependent, self-sufficient, and integrated and included disability community across Georgia.This project was supported, in part by grant number 2001GASCDD-03, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.