The 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Three people are shown presenting a business report, talking with a dog, and using sign language

Today we honor the 31st anniversary of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. This vital civil rights legislation prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as people without disabilities.

The ADA defines disabilities as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.” The long road to getting this law passed reached a milestone in 1988, when bipartisan support began to form around the idea of expanding civil rights specifically for those who are disabled. The bill was passed on July 26, 1990 by President George  H.W. Bush and later amended in 2008 by President George W. Bush.

We recognize and honor the contributions that the disabled community brings and we recommit to our ongoing work of making TwinStar Credit Union accessible to every member.

Some of the work we are continuing this year includes:

  • Ensuring our branches continue to be ADA accessible.
  • Exceeding current guidelines for website and social media accessibility.
  • Using “people-first” language in our communications.
  • Working with our community partners such as Morningside to support their work for people with disabilities.
  • Continuing our inclusive hiring practices and ensuring that our employees have the correct tools (desks, equipment, etc.) they need to do their job.

 

References:

https://www.ada.gov/ada_intro.htm

https://adata.org/factsheet/ADANN-writing