WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement in commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“Thirty-two years ago today, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, affirming the rights and protections of those with disabilities. As a member of the House of Representatives, I was proud to vote for the ADA. It is a landmark piece of civil rights legislation that passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority. The ADA guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life, whether in the private or public sphere. It prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of disability, and is, to date, the most exhaustive civil rights law that addresses accessibility and inclusivity for those with disabilities. From employment to transportation to telecommunications, the Act ensures that all Americans are equitably treated, upholding the values that our democracy is built on.
“I am dedicated to continually improving accessibility and inclusivity for Marylanders with disabilities, and I celebrate the diversity of our community. Today, 1 in 5 Maryland adults is protected by the ADA. This law secures the rights of a group essential not only to the very fabric of our nation, but it deepens our national commitment to protecting basic human rights for all. A crucial moment in the history of civil rights, I am proud to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
