September 2020 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This landmark civil rights statutory scheme has fostered benefits in our large urban centers and in our small towns. On July 26, 1990, President Bush signed the A.D.A. into law calling the bi-partisan legislation " a new birth of freedom." Since then, curb cuts and Accessible Pedestrian Signals have improved the quality of life for those with disabilities as well as others.
MML recently spoke with Gary C. Norman, Chair at the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, who emphasized the importance of this landmark civil rights law and its positive impact on municipalities throughout the country. Mr. Norman encourages Maryland municipalities "to acknowledge this anniversary and the progress achieved to date and to use the anniversary as an opportunity to consider how their communities can become even more accessible and inclusive for the disabled." You’ll find ideas for celebrating the anniversary at https://www.adaanniversary.org/.