The United Spinal family mourns the loss of Senator Bob Dole, a great champion for disability rights and a dedicated public servant who played an instrumental role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“Bob Dole’s legacy will live on forever in the ADA. His tireless work for its passage will not be forgotten, and the spirit of his collaboration on ADA with legislators from across the aisle and different walks of life was unique and exemplary. He was a true statesman whose support for our cause has impacted—and will continue to impact—countless lives in the disability community,” said Vincenzo Piscopo, United Spinal’s president and CEO.
Dole, a World War II service-disabled veteran, fought tirelessly to build bipartisan support to advance equality, justice and dignity for all people with disabilities, including veterans. He was the driving force behind the creation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), an international human rights treaty intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
Through the Bob Dole Foundation, he advanced the employment of people with disabilities, by providing job placements, training and other resources.
Dole was also one of the founders of the American Association of People with Disabilities, which advocates for full civil rights for Americans with disabilities by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation.
The tremendous impact Dole has had on elevating United Spinal’s ability to advocate on behalf of our members and promote disability justice cannot be understated. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Dole for his belief in the power of the disability community and the inclusion of wheelchair users in all facets of society to pursue greater opportunities and independence.
Thank you Bob. You will be missed.