Historical Context
Building from the collaborative and cross-cultural Disability Rights Movement and the foundational rights established by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was officially signed into law on July 26, 1990. With collective input from legislators, activists, and community stakeholders, the ADA sought to be the first comprehensive law to provide full opportunities and empowerment for people with disabilities in the United States. The year 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of signing this important legislation and offers us the opportunity for reflection.
Symposium Overview
Over the past four years, the Symposium for Disability and Accessibility at Yale has explored topics that intersect with disability. Cross-cultural collaboration, education, race, the law, health disparities, accessible spaces, and lived experiences have all been key points of inquiry that we have engaged within the Yale community and beyond.
This year, in light of the 35th anniversary of the signing of the ADA, we seek to expand these conversations. By collaborating with interlocutors from other institutions and organizations, we hope to gauge the progress made over the last 35 years while also considering how we might work together to promote Disability Justice, Culture, and Empowerment for members of our communities.
Topics of inquiry include:
- The significance of the ADA and the progression of Disability Theory
- Legal interpretations of the ADA
- Creating and maintaining accessible research opportunities for students with disabilities
- Accessible communication
- Accessible event planning
- Accessibility in K-12 classrooms
- The culture of adaptive sports
- Support systems for students with disabilities
- Veterans in higher learning
- Emerging disability research
- What it means to be a service provider for students with disabilities
- The critical work of Disability Studies Programs and Disability Centers in the nation
- And much more!