Minnesotans Celebrate 25 Years Of Americans With Disabilities Act

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The 25th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act is being celebrated across the country, and right here in Minnesota.

President George Bush signed the Americans With Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.

The law prohibits job discrimination and requires accommodations for people with disabilities.

Twenty-five-years ago, a generation of Americans fought for the rights of those with disabilities.

This anniversary is special for Martha Hage.

"It means a lot of freedom," Hage said. "The most important thing to me is being able to go to the bathroom (laughs)!"

ADA has made life easier for her and many of her friends who have disabilities. She says she is fortunate to live in the Twin Cities, where the community has gone above and beyond to make sure there is equal access and opportunity for all.

"I know the Twins ballpark is just phenomenal. I mean, a person in a wheelchair can just pull up anywhere," Hage said. "Metro Mobility in the Twin Cities is a lot better than in many large cities."

President Obama marked the anniversary at the White House earlier this week.

"Now days like today are a celebration of our history. But they're also a chance to rededicate ourselves to the future to address the injustices that still linger, to remove the barriers that remain," Obama said.

Hage agrees that more needs to be done, like making sure every building has access for all and employees make room for people like her on staff.

Claudia Diggs organized Thursday's event in Minneapolis.

"It's good where we've come from so far, but there's still a ways to go," Diggs said.

She says everyone has to work harder to make sure we continue to create opportunities for the disabled.

Disability advocates in Minnesota will hold a reception Thursday night in Bloomington to celebrate ADA's 25th anniversary.

They hope to address the issue of high unemployment for people with disabilities.