Hoyer, Dingell, Disability Rights Leaders Host Film Screening and Panel Discussion to Honor the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
WASHINGTON, DC — In honor of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act becoming law, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), the American Association of People with Disabilities, and disability rights leaders to host a panel discussion and screening of American Experience’s Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act. The panel discussion was moderated by Judy Woodruff and featured guest speakers Former Congressman Tony Coelho, Former Congressman Steve Bartlett, and Chana Gazit, Producer and Director at American Experience.
Watch the film and panel discussion here.
The discussion centered around the making of the documentary and how lawmakers and disability rights activists helped shape the ADA. The panelists reflected on how the ADA changed the civil rights landscape for people with disabilities, as well as the challenges posed by the Trump Administration's cuts to health care and employment assistance programs.
"The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a story of profound civic engagement, faithful bipartisanship, and fearless activism," Congressman Hoyer said. "As one can see from this feature documentary and our panel discussion, the ADA did not just widen doors, build ramps, install audible warnings, and require Braille translations. It was a call to action, and we are a better nation because of those who answered it. Passing the ADA will always be one of my proudest accomplishments during my time in public service and it remains my inspiration as we work to hold the Trump Administration accountable and ensure equal employment opportunities and affordable health care access. We have more work to do to welcome people with disabilities into public life with the dignity and respect they deserve. I thank my friends and colleagues for joining me and for elevating this necessary and important law – one that I hold dear and will cherish forever."
“The ADA has been tremendously successful in providing millions of individuals with a better quality of life, to other initiatives to empower people with disabilities to fully participate in American life. It has helped remove barriers to access to employment, transportation, communications, recreation, and more. We have continued to make great progress since the passage of the ADA, but we have a lot more to do. Disability rights are civil rights, and we must keep up the work to to protect all people living with disabilities in every area of their lives, and ensure equal access to all the same spaces, resources, and opportunities," said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06).
"The Americans with Disabilities Act expressed one simple, but revolutionary truth: that disabled people belong in every aspect of public life. Thirty five years after its passing, disability advocates are still working to make this truth a consistent reality. This film is a great reminder that at every stage of its development, from idea to draft language, from legislation to becoming law, the ADA has had to be defended, just as disabled people have constantly defend our existence. We will keep fighting to defend, protect, and advance the promise of the ADA over the next thirty years so that our nation's future is more inclusive than its past," said Maria Town, President and CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities
"The story of passing the ADA is a reminder of how powerful we can be when we are united. Disability does not impact Republicans or Democrats. It impacts people, families and communities. In 1990, Representatives and Senators saw the need for civil rights protections for people with disabilities based on their personal experiences – and they also saw a community ready to fight for their rights right in front of them on the Capitol Steps. I could not be more proud of what we accomplished together and hope this film sparks the next generation of advocates to protect it and make it stronger." said Former Congressman Tony Coehlo.
"The Americans with Disabilities Act was the most consequential civil rights bill ever enacted since the monumental civil rights legislation of 1964 and 1965. It ushered in profound changes for people with disabilities and society at large. It serves as a shining example of what government can do to lift up the lives of all Americans," said Chana Gazit, Producer and Director, American Experience.
See photos from the event below. See the photo album from this event here.