Celebrate the ADA's 32nd Anniversary on July 26, 2022!

On July 26, 1990, President, and fellow Texan, George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law, calling it a long overdue “independence day” for Americans with disabilities.

The ADA was the first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation, telecommunications, and other areas of public life. Thirty-two years later, we continue to celebrate the importance of ensuring accessibility and full inclusion for all Texans - and Americans - with disabilities.

We can easily point to common occurrences in everyday life that are the hard-fought results of implementing the ADA, such as wheelchair ramps, accessible transportation, barrier-free splash pads,  and sign language interpreters at meetings and events. Even more personal results can be found in innovations in accessible technology, as well as employment accommodations. As our workplaces become more diverse, it is important to remember that making necessary changes to integrate a new employee with a disability in the workplace, as well as the cost, may be minimal. Examples of these changes could include making existing facilities accessible, job carving, part-time or modified work schedules, acquiring or modifying equipment, revising employee training materials or policies, or providing qualified readers or interpreters.

The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities invites Texans to celebrate the 32nd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2022. Together, we will continue to ensure the Lone Star State is accessible and inclusive for all Texans.

It was a proud Texas moment as President George W. Bush and Justin Dart, with his trademark hat, made history with  this historic image from the July 26, 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

We proudly present Governor Greg Abbott's July 26, 2022 Proclamation in honor of the 32nd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.