Roosevelt Island Disabled Association Commemorates the 20th Anniversary Of Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Signing By President George H. Bush

You Tube Video Of Americans With Disabilities Act Signing Ceremony

Received the following message commemorating the 20th Anniversary of President George H. Bush's signing of the Americans With Disability Act from Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) Vice President Nancy Brown.

Image of Roosevelt Island Disabled Association Members

From Nancy Brown, who was the first person to move into a disabled apartment on Roosevelt Island:

July 26, 2010
Today is the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act by President George H. Bush. It marked the beginning of major changes for the disabled community of America. What the ADA mandates: Employers may not discriminate against a person with a disability in hiring or promotion if the person is otherwise qualified. All new public transit buses and rail cars must be accessible. New buses and rail stations must be accessible. Thirteen years from today all subway stations must be accessible. (Roosevelt Island’s station already is accessible and 17% of the subway stations in the city are, as well.) Restaurants, hotels and retail stores may not discriminate against the disabled and all new construction and alterations must be made accessible to the disabled. The signing of the ADA has enabled people with disabilities to be happy in their independence and become more productive members of their communities. This is evident right here on Roosevelt Island where many of the disabled hold down jobs, attend community board meetings and are presidents of organizations. Virginia Granato is a member of the Goldwater Community Board, Jim Bates is president of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association and Dolores Green is president of the Roosevelt Island Seniors Association. They, and many others, are visibly active and productive members of our community in part as a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act signed by President George H. Bush on July 26, 1990.

More information on the American With Disabilities Act is available at the ADA National Network and here is how the Anniversary was celebrated this year at the White House.

You Tube Video Celebration of 20th Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act