Tom Harkin: “ensuring equal opportunities and equal rights for individuals with disabilities has been one of my highest priorities…”

“ensuring equal opportunities and equal rights for individuals with disabilities has been one of my highest priorities during my time in Congress. As the lead Senate sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act, I still remember the day that legislation was signed into law, July 26, 1990, as one of the proudest days of my legislative career. The Americans with Disabilities Act is one of the landmark civil rights laws of the 20th century--a long overdue emancipation proclamation for Americans with disabilities. The ADA has played a huge role in making our country more accessible and more inclusive, in raising the expectations of people with disabilities about what they can hope to achieve at work and in life, and in inspiring Americans to view disability issues through the lens of equality and opportunity. Before the ADA, life was very different for people with disabilities in Iowa and across the country. Being an American with a disability meant not being able to ride on a bus because there was no lift, not being able to attend a concert or ballgame because there was no accessible seating, and not being able to cross the street in a wheelchair because there were no curb cuts. In short, it meant not being able to work or participate in community life. Discrimination was both commonplace and accepted. Since then, we have made amazing progress.…”