Voices that Built the ADA – Celebrating 35 Years of the ADA
A Landmark Law – A Personal Reflection
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. As we prepare to celebrate the anniversary of this monumental civil rights legislation for people with disabilities, I want to look back at key figures and their reflections on the ADA. Although there were many contributors to ADA, I want to discuss individuals I had the opportunity to meet, who are considered among the most significant contributors.
Senator Tom Harkin, Justin Dart, Jr., Judy Heumann, and Bobby Silverstein are regarded as pivotal figures in the development of the ADA. I was fortunate to meet each of these individuals at different points in my career.
Senator Tom Harkin – Legacy of Leadership
Of the four individuals who played instrumental roles, only Tom Harkin remains. Though retired, he continues to shape disability policy. I had the privilege of meeting Senator Harkin several times throughout the years and worked closely with him in 2013 as I prepared to testify before the Senate about model vocational rehabilitation projects. His commitment to inclusive employment for all people with disabilities remains steadfast. During the Senate debate on the ADA, he powerfully stated, “The ADA is first and foremost a civil rights bill. It takes the same approach used in earlier civil rights laws to eliminate discrimination against another minority group… It’s not about special treatment. It’s about equal opportunity” (Harkin, 1990). In 2010, reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the ADA, he called it “one of the proudest moments of my career” (Harkin, 2010).
Justin Dart, Jr. – The Father of the ADA
Justin Dart, Jr., often called the “Father of the ADA,” was a dynamic and tireless leader. As part of his efforts to ensure the passage of the ADA, he traveled across the nation gathering stories of discrimination and injustice experienced by people with disabilities. After resigning as Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, he became a highly visible and vocal advocate for disability rights. In 2001, reflecting on his personal journey and the significance of the ADA during Senate testimony, he stated, “I am a symbol. But I am also a real human being. And I need liberty and justice just like you” (Dart, 2001). As a young counselor, I was fortunate to meet Justin Dart in the late 1980s, before the ADA’s passage, when he presented at a meeting I attended. I recall his relentless energy and drive to transform our society into one that fully includes people with disabilities.
Judy Heumann – A Global Voice for Disability Rights
Judy Heumann began her advocacy long before the ADA. Her activism started in high school and continued through college, including a lawsuit against the New York City Board of Education to secure her teaching license. She was a lifelong advocate, and it is nearly impossible to overstate her influence. From being a key organizer of the Section 504 sit-in to her leadership with Disability in Action and her numerous government roles, Judy’s impact was global. She also contributed significantly to the development of what would become the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). I had the opportunity to meet and work with Judy on several occasions when I was a state vocational rehabilitation (VR) director. Her unwavering commitment to advocacy deeply inspired me. Judy once reflected, “Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives—job opportunities or barrier-free buildings, for example” (Heumann, 2020).
Bobby Silverstein – The Architect Behind the Language
I was fortunate to call Bobby Silverstein both a friend and a colleague. We first met in the late 1990s while working on Ticket to Work implementation. We served on committees and frequently presented together on various disability policy topics. Our many conversations about the ADA and the political challenges of preserving its intent greatly influenced my own leadership in vocational rehabilitation. I am profoundly grateful for those experiences.
Bobby was the chief architect of the ADA. As lead staffer to Senator Harkin, he was responsible for drafting much of the legislative language that became law. His influence extended far beyond the ADA; he was a lifelong advocate who helped translate disability rights into actionable policy. Policymakers, rehabilitation leaders, and advocates alike sought his counsel. Though he often worked behind the scenes, Bobby’s legacy is deeply embedded in our nation’s disability laws. As he once said, “The ADA was never just about physical ramps. It was about tearing down attitudinal barriers—those were the real walls” (Silverstein, 2010).
The Work Continues – From 1990 to Today
When President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990, he declared, “Let the shameful wall of exclusion come tumbling down.” Yet the work is not done. Several Supreme Court decisions weakened the ADA’s power, requiring Congress to pass the ADA Amendments Act in 2008 to restore its original intent. That same year, President George W. Bush signed the amendments into law. Even today, efforts to limit both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA continue. Our vigilance and advocacy must persist.
Call to Action – Honoring the Past. Leading the Future
The visionary leadership of Senator Tom Harkin, Justin Dart, Jr., Judy Heumann, and Bobby Silverstein exemplifies a deep commitment to civil rights and full inclusion for people with disabilities in every facet of life, from employment to housing and independent living. Their efforts laid the foundation for generations of leaders in vocational rehabilitation and disability policy. Their example inspires us to continue the work.
As we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the ADA, we must recognize that the promise of this legislation is not yet fully realized. We are called to action—to persist in advancing equal rights and to fulfill the vision these leaders championed. Let this anniversary be not only a celebration but also a recommitment to justice, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
References:
Dart, J. (2001). Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. ADA Watch Archive.
Harkin, T. (1990, July 13). Speech on the Americans with Disabilities Act [Congressional Record, 101st Congress, Vol. 136, Pt. 14].
Harkin, T. (2010, July 26). Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the ADA. Retrieved from [harkin.senate.gov]
Heumann, J. (2020). Being Heumann: An unrepentant memoir of a disability rights activist (p. 185). Beacon Press.
Silverstein, B. (2010, July 26). Reflections on the ADA at 20: Personal perspectives from a policy insider. ADA Legacy Project.
