July 26, 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I was present at the bill signing in
1990 when President George H. W. Bush announced, “With today’s signing of the
landmark Americans [with] Disabilities Act every man, woman and child with a
disability can now pass through once-closed doors into a bright new era of
equality, freedom and independence.” These words launched a watershed moment
for American civil rights.
July 20th, 2015.
White House East Room
White House East Room
This past Monday, I was honored to be invited back to the
White House to celebrate the anniversary of the ADA. President Obama spoke
about the accomplishments of this momentous civil rights legislation. “Thanks to the ADA,” he said, “the places that
comprise our shared American life – schools, workplaces, movie theaters,
courthouses, buses, baseball stadiums, national parks – they truly belong to
everyone. Millions of Americans with
disabilities have had the chance to develop their talents and make their unique
contributions to the world. And thanks
to them, America is stronger and more vibrant; it is a better country because
of the ADA.”
This civil rights milestone has improved the quality of life
for more than 50 million Americans. Though it prohibits discrimination against
individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, we are
still grappling with economic inequality.
The dedication and work ethic of people with disabilities
make them valuable employees. However, these assets are often overlooked
by employers.
It is this disparity that encourages me to discover more
opportunities for qualified students with disabilities so that they may attain
independence and professional fulfillment. I am happy to say that I am not
alone in the trenches.
As a former Ball State University trustee
and a current trustee of the Health and
Hospital Corporation of Marion County, it is a privilege and a pleasure to
introduce a partnership with these prestigious institutions at Eskenazi Health.
The innovative Eskenazi Health Initiative for Empowerment and Economic
Independence is a partnership with Ball State University’s Disability Project
that places students with disabilities in paid internships in Indianapolis. Not
only do these students gain valuable professional experience in their fields of
study, they develop professional networks and relationships, which often lead
to productive employment.
The program recently received support from Lilly Endowment
to help it expand. In addition, we have grown our list of partners with
the addition of Emmis Communications, who is hosting a student with a
disability for a summer internship.
As President Obama stated, “Days like the [anniversary of
the ADA] 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.”
With the continued support of organizations, including the
Lilly Endowment, the Lilly Foundation, and the Central Indiana Community
Foundation (CICF), and efforts of our valued partners, our reach will grow to
touch even more lives filled with promise and hope. And with each individual dream fulfilled, we
realize the power and possibilities of the ADA and America.
Senator Tom Harkin
July 20th, 2015
An attorney with a disability who uses an electric wheelchair as a mobility aid device, Gregory S. Fehribach is a leading consultant on accessible design. Learn more about The Fehribach Group at