07/27/2026
On July 26, 1990 one of the most historic laws were signed giving people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities the same freedoms you and I have. The American Disabilities Act or ADA
On Friday at CLA we celebrated IDD Independence Day, remembering the law that was signed on July 26, 1990. It wasn't just about celebrating people with disabilities. It was about recognizing ability instead of disability, opportunity instead of limitation, and inclusion instead of exclusion.
Before the ADA, many people with disabilities faced barriers that most of us take for granted. They were denied jobs because of their disabilities. They couldn't enter restaurants, schools, stores, or public buildings because there were no ramps, elevators, or accessible entrances. Public transportation was often unavailable. Many people were separated from their communities and had very few opportunities to live, work, learn, or socialize alongside everyone else.
The ADA changed that.
It declared that every person deserves equal opportunity, equal access, and equal dignity. It sent a powerful message that disability should never determine someone's worth or limit their chance to participate in their community.
But while we celebrate how far we've come, we also recognize that our work is not finished.
Accessibility is more than ramps and parking spaces.
Inclusion is more than opening a door.
True inclusion means being welcomed after the door is opened.
It means being invited to participate.
It means having meaningful employment.
It means building friendships.
It means making choices.
It means being heard.
And most importantly, it means being valued.
Every single person we support has dreams, talents, gifts, and goals. Some communicate differently. Some learn differently. Some need more support than others. But every individual has something valuable to contribute to our community.
Our job—and really, our privilege—is not to define people by the supports they need.
Our responsibility is to recognize the strengths they already possess and help remove the barriers that stand in their way.
Here at CLA, we witness that every single day.
We celebrate achievements that others may overlook.
We cheer for first jobs.
We celebrate learning new skills.
We celebrate greater independence.
We celebrate acts of kindness.
We celebrate friendships that become family.
These moments remind us that success doesn't look the same for everyone—and that's exactly as it should be.
To the individuals we support:
Thank you.
Thank you for teaching us patience.
Thank you for showing us resilience.
Thank you for reminding us that joy can be found in the smallest moments.
Thank you for making our community stronger simply by being yourselves.
You are not defined by a diagnosis.
You are defined by your courage, your personalities, your talents, your laughter, your kindness, and your determination.
You belong here.
You matter.
Your voices matter.
Your dreams matter.
To our families:
Thank you for trusting us, partnering with us, and allowing us to be a part of your lives. Your advocacy has paved the way for many of the rights we celebrate today.
To our staff:
Thank you for choosing work that is built on compassion, respect, and dignity. Every day you help turn the promise of the ADA into reality—not through policies alone, but through relationships. You encourage independence, celebrate accomplishments, and remind people that they are capable of more than they may believe.
And finally, to our community:
The ADA belongs to all of us.
When businesses hire individuals with disabilities, everyone benefits.
When schools, churches, parks, and community organizations become more inclusive, everyone benefits.
When we take the time to get to know one another instead of making assumptions, everyone benefits.
Disability inclusion is not a special interest.
It is a human interest.
I hope we don't simply remember the ADA as a law signed more than three decades ago.
I hope we remember it as a promise.
A promise that every person deserves respect.
A promise that every voice deserves to be heard.
A promise that every individual deserves the opportunity to contribute, belong, and thrive.
Let's continue building communities where differences are celebrated, barriers are removed, and every person is welcomed—not because the law requires it, but because it is the right thing to do.
Thank you for celebrating with us, thank you for believing in inclusion, and thank you for helping create a future where every person has the opportunity to live a life filled with purpose, dignity, and belonging.
Happy Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary!
