Hoyer Marks 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at Camden Yards
BALTIMORE, MD – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) joined the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) and state and local elected officials to mark the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Congressman Hoyer was a sponsor of the ADA, a landmark piece of legislation that has helped millions of disabled Americans enter the workforce and achieve independence.
"I was excited to be a part of today's event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and full community membership for all," said Congressman Steny Hoyer. "I am honored to have played a leading role in passing this law and to have been the bill's sponsor in the House of Representatives. Beyond widening doors, building ramps, installing audible warnings, and requiring Braille translations, the ADA has transformed America by bringing millions out of the shadows of our society and into public life, removing the stigma of disability, and preventing discrimination."
"In Maryland, the ADA is making a difference every day for more than 1.1 million residents and we are now the only state in the nation to have a cabinet-level department solely focused on their equality, opportunity, and full inclusion," continued Congressman Hoyer. "As we mark this milestone anniversary, let us recommit ourselves to building on the work we started with the ADA. We must explore ways to help ensure that more Marylanders with differing abilities can find good jobs in competitive employment and tap into new technologies to enable them to have greater independence. I look forward to continuing to work with advocacy groups from across Maryland and our country, with the Obama administration, and with my colleagues in Congress to make progress in these areas and others, such as housing and transportation."
Other officials that joined Congressman Hoyer to speak at a reception were Lt. Governor Rutherford, MDOD Secretary Beatty, Mayor Rawlings-Blake, and former governor Robert Ehrlich, Jr. Prior to the reception, a community resource fair with the ADA Legacy Bus was held. The bus has been crossing the country to draw attention to how much progress has been made in the past quarter century since the Americans with Disabilities Act became law.