SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – It’s been 35 years since Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act.
For millions of people, especially those in wheelchairs, it’s been life changing.
America will be commemorating the anniversary all this month, including right here in Sioux Falls.
“We will not tolerate discrimination in America,” President George Bush said.
With the stroke of a pen, President George Bush ushered in a new way of life for many.
“The ADA has allowed me to access this community just like everyone else,” Vicki Stewart said.
Vicki Stewart has been in a wheelchair her entire life. She and others say the ADA has given them their independence, by prohibiting discrimination based on disability.
“There are ramps now into businesses, there’s more accessible parking, I remember going to the movie theater and not having cut out seats, so people would run into me when I sat in the aisles,” Stewart said.
Before the law, Stewart says she almost felt un-welcomed at times.
“Before the ADA people were kind of pushed away from society, they were hidden and didn’t want, the public didn’t want them to be in sight, out of sight out of mind, and the ADA really changed all that,” Stewart said.
“I come from a very small town, so I was use to there not being curb cuts; a lot of the sidewalks were older,” Tana Zwart said.
Tana Zwart says Sioux Falls has made great strides in making reasonable accommodations since ADA was enacted.
“It’s allowed for contribution and I think it’s a necessary contribution, because we bring a lot to the community in terms of perspective and creative solutions,” Zwart said.
To help commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, there’s going to be a huge festival later this month here at the Levitt.
“It’s actually on July 26th, which is the date of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Kerkvliet Stewart said.
“We are going to have performances by artists with disabilities, vendors who are disability related, organizations, food trucks, and just a lot of fun events.”
That will collectively help bring awareness.
“I just think this gives us an opportunity to reflect on the history of the ADA, it really was a hard fought civil rights law and a lot of people fought hard to get this signed, so we are really celebrating that,” Stewart said.
For a list of events this month to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the ADA click here.
