When Was the ADA Signed Into Law?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was, is, and will likely always be one of, if not the widest-ranging and most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation ever passed in the United States -- next to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
It has helped set the standard for disability-based laws and regulations – not just in the US, but countries around the world – and continues to impact quality of life for millions of people with disabilities every day.
Yet, most Americans couldn’t tell you the history of the ADA, and how it came to be.
So, that begs the question – when was the ADA signed into law?
The ADA was passed and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990 – more than 34 years ago to this day. Of course, that doesn’t even begin to tell the whole story of this monumental law.
But don’t worry – we’re going to run you through a timeline that better captures the history of the ADA.
1986: NCD Issues Recommendation for ADA
The National Council on the Handicapped (now the National Council on Disability, or NCD) was created in 1978, and was originally set up as an advisory body to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
It was later transferred to the Department of Education before becoming its own independent federal agency in 1984.
Two years later in 1986, the agency published a report titled ‘Toward Independence: An Assessment of Federal Laws and Programs Affecting Persons with Disabilities,’ outlining the need for a ‘comprehensive’ equal opportunity law. The ground-breaking report included legislative recommendations for Congress.
1988: ADA Introduced In the Senate
1988 was an important year for the ADA. It started in January with the NCD releasing another report – this one titled ‘On the Threshold of Indpendence’ – to Congress and then-President Ronald Reagan.
A few months later, Sen. Lowell Weicker of Connecticut and Rep. Anthony Coelho of California introduced the first version of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the Senate in the 100th Congress.
By May 1988, Congressman Major R. Owens (D-NY) created the Congressional Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of Americans with Disabilities, co-chaired by Justin Dart Jr. and Elizabeth Boggs.
1990: ADA Passed & Signed Into Law
In 1989, Rep. Coelho – with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Sen. David Durrenberger (R-MN) – introduced a revised version of the ADA in the 101st Congress, which was passed by the Senate by a vote of 76-8.
The following year, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed and signed into law by then-President George H.W. Bush in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.
1991-94: ADA Regulations Issued
The ADA, broken up into four sections (Titles I, II, III, IV), started taking shape in 1991 when regulations were issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
In 1991, Title I (for employers with 25 or more employees), Title II, and Title III of the ADA took effect in the US. Title IV followed in 1993, while Title I (employers with 15 or more employees) took effect in 1994.
1999-2004: ADA Protections Narrowed
The ADA faced a series of setbacks between 1999 and 2004 as the Supreme Court released several rulings that narrowed the definition of disability, ultimately narrowing the protections set forth by the ADA.
Three of those rulings – Sutton v United Airlines, Murphy v United Parcel Service, and Albertson’s Inc. v Kirkingburg (known as the Sutton Trilogy) – determined that people who use ‘mitigating measures,’ such as medication, may not be protected by the ADA.
A fourth ruling (Olmstead v L.C.) found that unjustified institutional isolation of persons with physical and mental disabilities is a form of disability discrimination – adding that services must be provided in integrated, community-based settings.
A fifth ruling (Toyota Motor Manufacturing v Williams) found that the definition of disability needs to be interpreted strictly to create a demanding standard, which further narrowed the protections of the ADA.
These rulings were addressed by the NCD in a report titled ‘Righting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)’ in 2004 – which urged the President and Congress to restore the initial intent of the ADA.
2008: ADA Amendments Act Signed Into Federal Law
Four years later, the NCD got what they wanted when he ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) was signed into law by President George W. Bush – roughly 18 years after his father signed the ADA into law.
The ADAAA, which countered the Supreme Court’s narrowing definition of disability and provided those with disabilities broad protection from discrimination, took effect in 2009.
2010-14: More Updated Regulations
Over the next two years (2010 and 2011), the DOJ and DOT revised regulations for Titles II and III of the ADA – including revised regulations for boarding at rail platforms, passenger vessel operators, and more.
Two years later, in 2013, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued revised regulations for Title I of the ADA.
In 2014, the U.S. Access Board and DOJ updated various guidelines and regulations to address web information and services, electronic and information technology, telecommunications products and services, movie captioning and video description, passenger vessels, equipment and furniture, and more.
ADA Central: Helping Businesses Comply With ADA Standards
At ADA Central, we understand how important the ADA has been to the lives of millions of Americans -- and we stand with the disability rights community.
That’s why we remain dedicated to helping businesses and other public accommodations make sense of the various rules and regulations laid out by the ADA – more specifically those regarding ADA signage. With a greater investment in disability rights education, we can build a more inclusive US.
ADA signs are used to make public spaces, buildings, and facilities more accessible, inclusive, and navigable for everyone in the US – including individuals with visual, hearing, mobility, physical, or mental impairment.
We’re confident that our team of experts can help you avoid the penalties, fines, damaged reputation, remediation, and the eclusion of customers and employees for failing to comply with these regulations.
To learn more about how ADA signage works and what types of ADA signs you need, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (308) 221-8226 – one of our representatives would be honored to help you!