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Americans With Disabilities Act: Examining Its Impact 3 Decades Later - NPR

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Sunday marked 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. We asked people how this legislation has impacted their life, and what's left to improve.

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

In 1990, the Americans With Disabilities Act made it law that public accommodations must be accessible to everyone. It also included private places that are generally open to the public. That meant access to jobs, schools, transportation and places like restaurants and movie theaters.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of the law, and today we're examining its impact. We start with disability rights advocate Judy Heumann, who testified in 1988 in support of the legislation.

JUDY HEUMANN: I had polio. And so when I was 5 years old, my mother took me to school to register me, and the principal denied me admission into the school because I was a fire hazard. And I had no kindergarten. We were being disregarded - you know, not having ramps, not having accessible bathrooms, not being able to get across the street, not being able to get on buses.

ADAM ESTOPPA: It was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. I was actually - I remember seeing that on television for the first time as a little kid.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

PRESIDENT GEORGE H W BUSH: This historic act is the world's first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities - the first.

(APPLAUSE)

ESTOPPA: My name is Adam Estoppa (ph). I am photosensitive to bright light. I have colorblindness. I have nystagmus. And I have to look close to a lot of things. And with the help of the ADA, it's as if, like - it's the little things that helped out just a bit. Like when I was in school, it was, OK, now you have a large-print dictionary when you need to look up words. You can use ZoomText now when you want to take your exams.

LAURA GRIFFITHS: My name is Laura Griffiths (ph). I had given up going to the theater because it was just impossible to see the picture and follow what was happening. And then when I heard they had audio description at the theater, we went to see "Hidden Figures," and the wonderful manager hooked me up with the earphones that you wear.

(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "HIDDEN FIGURES")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As character) And we are go for launch.

UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Dorothy and her ladies watch. Mary takes a deep, excited breath as the other smiling, riveted to the TV.

GRIFFITHS: It was such a thrill to me. It was kind of like reading a book with pictures. I got to actually experience what was going on in the movie. And when I came out and gave the earphones back to the manager, I just started crying because I was just so grateful to have that opportunity.

JIM HUTCHINGS: My name is Jim Hutchings (ph). The ADA has made simple things like opening doors easier for me to accomplish. So people like me, without thumbs, have an easier time opening them. But also people with arthritis, people who are carrying a lot of things - it makes the simple task of just opening a door much more accessible.

BRITTANY MACANTY: My name's Brittany Macanty (ph). I wasn't born with the hearing loss. I got one from an infection that I had that caused my hearing loss. And I think the legacy of the ADA is recognition of people and of their needs, which are - they are just human rights.

HEUMANN: One of the important parts, I think, of the celebration of the ADA in my view is what's going to happen the day after. The issue is the ADA will continue to go forward. The average person needs to understand why what the disability community is arguing for is not just for us; it's for everybody.

INSKEEP: That last voice was Judy Heumann. We also heard Adam Estoppa, Laura Griffiths, Jim Hutchings and Brittany Macanty.

(SOUNDBITE OF GAELYNN LEA'S "DRAGON - FAERIE IMPROVISATION")

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