On July 26th, we celebrated 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act — a pivotal moment in the fight for equal rights and accessibility. The law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, schools, transportation and public and private places open to the general public.
At United Spinal, we honor its legacy and recognize there is more work to be done.
People with Disabilities Reflect on ADA 35
Recreating the Capitol Crawl
Over the years, the 41 gray marble steps leading up the south side of the Utah Capitol have become a platform for the people of Utah: to rally, come together, speak up and out. On Saturday, Kerri Knudson, who uses a wheelchair, and Briel Adams-Wheatley, who has Hanhart syndrome and is limbless, painstakingly crawled and climbed up them in the early heat of a July morning.
Knudson and Adams-Wheatley had planned their ascent to pay homage to those who came before them, commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The historic civil rights law “prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities.”
Accessibility in Healthcare
“As both a person with disabilities and a practicing registered nurse, I am so incredibly thankful for the existence of the ADA. Without its existence, I would’ve never been able to continue my career in healthcare after losing my mobility.
I am so thankful for everything she started, but we have so much farther to go. I should NEVER meet a patient who was staying in the hospital longer than anticipated b/c they took a fall because the doorway of their new hospital room bathroom wasn’t wide enough to accommodate their standard-sized walker- but I did, just last week.”
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Advocacy Across the Nation
35 years ago today, the ADA became law. But it never would’ve happened without 19 disabled protesters blocking Denver traffic for two days straight.
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Local Businesses Prioritizing Access
“Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and ensures equal access to all public spaces.
There is always more work to be done, so let’s keep showing up and taking space! We belong. I visited a cute indie romance bookstore in La Mesa and was so excited to see a wheelchair lift to the second floor — I got to shop my favorite section, Dark Romance!”
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Fear for the Future
“Not only are disabled people still waiting for access…now, we’re witnessing it being systematically rolled back. This video is silly, but obviously, the ramifications of what’s happening are deadly serious.
I genuinely worry about whether the ADA will still be intact by its next anniversary. But even as I fear the future, I cannot ignore that we shouldn’t still be waiting on the past.”
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Recognizing the OG Advocates
“Today, those like myself who live with a disability are reaping the benefits that those who came before us fought so hard to achieve. Thank you to the men and women who came before me and stood up (both literally and figuratively) so that people like me wouldn’t be discriminated against.
So that people like me could be hired for jobs that are not normally held by those with a disability. So that I can raise a family and chase my dreams and not be penalized for my disability. Thank you for the dignity you fought for.”
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Our Pathways to Employment program helps wheelchair users find jobs, request accommodations and manage benefits. Our Grassroots Advocacy Network works to ensure equal access to public transportation. And our Accessibility Services department helps businesses, both big and small, comply with accessibility standards.