United Spinal celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act and the 33rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at an event hosted at the White House on Monday. Many advocates were in attendance, including Selma Blair, the prominent actress with multiple sclerosis. She introduced President Biden with her service dog, Scout.
“In my own disability advocacy, I have realized that these historic pieces of legislation were vital steps towards fairness, but the push towards equity continues,” Selma says. “Our laws and policies must reflect that our lives are not of lesser value, and in partnership with the disability community, the Biden administration is working to do just that – breaking down barriers that exist today in transportation, health care, education, employment, voting and more.”
President Biden also shed light on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is recognized in October. “Disabled Americans are still three times less likely to have a job; and when they do, they often earn less for doing the same work. We need to continue building a culture that not only protects disability rights but also celebrates disability pride,” he says.
President Biden along with other members of the disability community took to social media to reflect on the event.
“For more than 61 million Americans living with a disability, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act are sources of opportunity, inclusion, participation, and respect,” says President Biden.
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“As I stood with @potus on the same spot where the ADA was signed on July 26, 1990, I look out at the distinguished guests in the audience and felt pride. On a scorching hot DC day, we celebrated each other and the strength that comes from our diversity. The Rehabilitation Act and the ADA were not the destination, rather celebrated steps along the way leading us to each other,” says Selma Blair.
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“We were incredibly honored to be invited to attend a ceremony at the White House celebrating the anniversaries of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),” says United Spinal’s board member, Charisma Sydnor. “When we all started our YouTube channels, we never expected to be amongst such fierce advocates and incredible change-makers. Let’s continue the fight to make our nation a more accessible and inclusive place for all!”
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“It’s Always An Honor and A Blessing to Be Invited to the White House to Attend A Reception Honoring the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities. Thank You For Recognizing the Work I Do to Protect and Advance Disability Rights and Disability Justice,” says United Spinal Board member, Monica Wiley
“Thank you President @JoeBiden and @SelmaBlair for honoring Judy in your speeches! Judy’s husband, brother, sister-in-law and many close friends were in attendance,” says representatives of Judy Heumann Legacy.
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“We are proud to celebrate these historic milestones and to honor the disabled activists who fought — and continue the fight — to ensure our rights,” says our partners at American Association of People with Disabilities. “The many advances in policy that have advanced this summer and fall are a joyful reminder that advocacy works. Our community’s advocacy is powerful. And our collective work is making the future brighter.”
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“Wow, our community is strong. It’s full of joyful, brave, brilliant, kind, funny, determined, creative, passionate and purposeful people from every community on the planet. We intersect, we exist, and we are certainly taking up space and making change,” says Sophie Morgan.
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In addition to celebrating the anniversaries of prominent disability legislation, the event recognized recent accomplishments.
These include:
- The National Institutes of Health now officially designates people with disabilities as a population with health disparities. This recognizes the importance and need for advanced research to improve the understanding of the complexities leading to disparate health outcomes.
- The Department of Justice issued a proposed rule to add more specific requirements about web and mobile application accessibility.
- The Department of Health and Human Services announced its plan to strengthen Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The rule changes are hoped to improve access to medical equipment.
While these are all incredible accomplishments that deserve recognition, there is always more work to be done. Join United Spinal’s Grassroots Advocacy Network to make firsthand change in your community. For more information on our extensive advocacy and policy activities to improve the quality of life of all wheelchair users, visit our advocacy and policy page.
