National Disability Institute Commemorates 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Disability Pride Month
Washington, D.C. — July 1, 2025 —This July marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law enacted on July 26, 1990, that prohibits discrimination based on disability and guarantees equal access to public spaces, employment, transportation, telecommunications, and government services. In honor of this milestone and Disability Pride Month, National Disability Institute (NDI) is launching a month-long campaign to celebrate progress, recognize ongoing challenges, and amplify the voices of people with disabilities.
NDI will commemorate the ADA’s anniversary through a robust social media campaign on Facebook (@NationalDisability), LinkedIn (National Disability Institute), and Instagram (@nationaldisabilityinstitute), using hashtags such as #ADA35, #ADAAnniversary, and #ThanksToTheADA. The campaign highlights not only Titles I-V of the ADA but also honors the activists who have fought for equal rights before and after the law’s passage.
One such advocate is Robert Burgdorf Jr., Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke School of Law, who played a pivotal role in drafting the original ADA legislation. Professor Burgdorf reminds us:
“The point of the ADA is not disability – it is discrimination. The ADA is a mandate for equality.”
While the ADA has helped advance civil rights, disparities remain. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 44.7 million people—or 13.6% of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population—had a disability in 2023. Among adults aged 18 to 64 with disabilities, about 10.2 million were employed, and the median earnings for individuals with disabilities was $32,149.
NDI continues to address these inequities through research, partnerships, and programs:
Research and Policy
- “Race, Ethnicity and Disability”: This brief highlights the financial impacts of systemic inequality on BIPOC individuals with disabilities and provides recommendations for institutional change.
- “Advancing Economic Justice for People with Disabilities”: In partnership with Asset Funders Network (AFN), this report outlines steps needed to dismantle systemic economic barriers.
- “Economic Impacts of Removing Transportation Barriers”: In collaboration with Cruise, this study explores how accessible, sustainable autonomous vehicles can expand employment access for people with disabilities.
Programmatic Work
- American Dream Employment Network (ADEN): Supports individuals receiving Social Security disability benefits who want to return to work or enter the workforce.
- Inclusive Employment Solutions (IES): Offers technical assistance and tools for improving employment outcomes at the community and systems levels.
- Small Business Hub: In collaboration with 40+ organizations, assists entrepreneurs and business owners with disabilities in accessing capital, planning, and growth support.
As we reflect on 35 years of progress under the ADA, for 20 years NDI has been committed to driving economic opportunity, amplifying lived experience, and building a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
Learn more about our work and help us be a catalyst for change at www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org.
Media Contact
LaShawn Douglas
Division Director, Marketing and Communications
ldouglas@ndi-inc.org
