ADA Celebrates its 12th Anniversary
Feature Story by Bria Gillum - 8/9/2002
July 26th marked the 12th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA is considered to be among the greatest victories for the disability rights movement. Celebration of the legislation would not have been complete without a commemoration of civil rights pioneer Justin Dart.Dart, who passed away June 22, 2002, was a driving force behind passage of the ADA, a testament to his dedication and determination to provide equality for people with disabilities. As a leading figure in the fight for equality and a champion of disability rights, Dart remains a role model to many. "He cared passionately and he worked persistently for the rights of Americans with disabilities...He spared no effort to mobilize the disability community on issues from election reform to hate crimes... And he cared just as much and fought just as hard for the rights of all Americans", said Wade Henderson, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.
Dart envisioned a revolution that would "empower every single human being to govern his or her life, to govern the society and to be fully productive of life quality for self and for all." He believed that "we have the power, we have the responsibility to make the dream live for all."
