The Center for People with Disabilities celebrates 25 years of the ADA

“It’s a progressive and bright future.”

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act, or ADA.

This landmark law ensures the civil rights of millions of Americans with disabilities, banning discrimination on based on disabilities, as well as requiring employers to accommodate for the needs
of those with disabilities.

The law also requires public areas, such as swimming pools, schools, and most major businesses, to have accessibility ramps leading to their entrances. Aaron Pasterz an Independent Living Advisor with Boulder’s Center for People with Disabilities says that the ADA is more than legislation “it’s a civil right to live independently and live freely within ones community and in ones state and ones country of origin.”

Chris O’Brien, Director of Development and Communications with the CPD says the ADA is about equality. “We see a lot of people that are unemployed or underemployed that have disabilities that really want to give their talent, their skills back to their community and want to work, they really want to give back to their community. So this piece of legislation allows them to do that and allows them the certain accommodations that they need within their workplace for them to do a satisfactory job.”

The Center for People with Disabilities in Boulder will be holding a celebration for the 25th anniversary of the ADA on Sunday, July 26th from 12-4pm at the Boulder Creek Library. For more information, visit www.cpwd-ilc.org

Podcast: Play in new window | Download