By Lynnae Ruttledge
July 26, 2025 marks the 35th Anniversary of the signing our country’s landmark disability rights legislation – the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This should be cause for celebration but in this era of heightened political and often divisive social rhetoric, it is not. I’ve made the choice to speak up and speak out.
In the U.S., over 61 million adults report experiencing a disability. That’s about 1 in 4 adults. Disability rates increase with age and in fact, 45.3% of us that are 75 or older experience some form of disability. And yet, references to us and services that improve our quality of life are being scrubbed from federal websites. Terms like disability, accessibility, affordable housing, mental health are all targets for scrutiny. To me, it feels like an effort to erase my very existence.
The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. This historic legislation was passed by Congress with bi-partisan support. Our legislation led the way globally to the development of similar legislation in country’s throughout the world. The ADA has had a profoundly positive impact on persons with disabilities globally.
And yet, here in the U.S. we appear to be at a crossroads. Do we choose to embrace the strengths of what truly makes America great or do we choose to accept an atmosphere of bullying, ridicule and exclusion. Can we choose to tamp down the divisive rhetoric and focus instead on findng common ground amd acting on our shared values? I believe that’s what democracy looks like.
My choice on July 26 is to celebrate the ADA. My choice is to speak up and speak out. My choice is to honor my rights and our responsibilities under the ADA.
Please join me!