The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): 1990 - 2002

Photo: Signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. President George H.W. Bush (center) is flanked by Evan Kemp, Chairman, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (left) and Justin Dart, Chairman, President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (right). Standing are the Rev. Harold Wilke (left) and Sandra Swift Parrino, Chairperson, National Council on Disability (right).

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) -- the world's first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities. The Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment (Title I), in public services (Title II), in public accommodations (Title III) and in telecommunications (Title IV). EEOC is responsible for enforcing Title I's prohibition against discrimination against people with disabilities in employment. The ADA has been described as the Emancipation Proclamation for the disability community.

- President George H.W. Bush's remarks at the Signing Ceremony, in Real Audio (requires the Real player, available for free) or text .

- The text of the ADA

- EEOC Celebrates 10 Years of Enforcing Title I of the ADA

New Freedom Initiative

On February 1, 2001, President George W. Bush announced his New Freedom Initiative to promote the full participation of people with disabilities in all areas of society by increasing access to assistive and universally designed technologies, expanding educational and employment opportunities, and promoting full access to community life.

- Remarks by President George W. Bush announcing the New Freedom Initiative

- The New Freedom Initiative

- DisabilityInfo.Gov: Web portal to the New Freedom Initiative

- EEOC and the New Freedom Initiative

EEOC and Title I of the ADA

-Overview and History

- More about Title I of the ADA

- Charges and Resolutions under Title I of the ADA


This page was last modified on October 15, 2002.

Home Return to Home Page