Kareem Dale, Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement & Special Assistant to President Obama for Disability Policy.
20 years ago today, the process of enacting the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ended, and a long journey toward equality began. On that day, millions of people with disabilities, along with advocates, families, politicians and so many more rejoiced — at its essence, the ADA meant that at long last, people with disabilities would no longer be treated as second class citizens under the law.
And, on a personal level, for a 16 year old visually impaired junior in high school, it meant that I would receive the additional support and services I would need when I went to college. This is the real impact of the ADA — what it did for people with disabilities and their family members all over the country in helping improve their day-to-day existence. As I celebrate this day, I treasure the benefits and basic rights that would not have been available to me, and others like me, but for the people who fought so hard for basic human rights.
The ADA meant that I received the necessary support and services that allowed me to successfully complete higher education. It meant that my future employers would no longer be able to discriminate in hiring, or fail to provide me with reasonable accommodations. It meant that public transportation had to be accessible so I could travel. It meant that cities and states had to make their public facilities accessible so that I, like everyone else, could benefit from these services. It meant that once and for all, I would have equal access just like everyone else.
I’m proud to be working for a President that is expanding on the promise of this historic legislation. He signed the first new human rights treaty of the 21st Century, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He led the charge to pass health reform legislation that will greatly benefit so many people with disabilities by refusing to let companies discriminate on the basis of pre-existing conditions and so much more. He has re-invigorated the civil rights division at the Department of Justice to protect and enforce all our civil rights. And, we’re looking to make even more progress for the over 50 million people with disabilities in the years ahead.
So, let’s all celebrate today by remembering those who made these better days possible so many years ago. But, as we bask in the glow of this wonderful law, let’s also recommit ourselves to working even harder to bring about equality for all.
About the Author:
Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement & Special Assistant to the President for Disability PolicyDale, who is partially blind, coordinates the Administration’s efforts to see that people with disabilities are on a level playing field with all Americans. Originally from Chicago, Dale previously served as the National Disability Director for the Obama for America campaign. He also served on the Arts Policy Committee and the Disability Policy Committee for then-Senator Obama. Dale graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in Advertising in May 1995. He received his JD/MBA in May 1999 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating Cum Laude.
Visit Office of Public Engagement web site for more information.
